- By Tapapriya Dutta
- Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:26 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The founding bassist of American rap-rock band Limp Bizkit, Sam Rivers, has passed away at the age of 48. His sudden demise has left admirers and the industry in disbelief. The exact cause of death has not been shared yet. But those who are unaware, the musician had serious health problems, which he opened up about earlier. He had liver disease due to excessive drinking, which caused him to pause the band in 2015.
Due to severe liver damage, Sam Rivers was told by the doctor that he needs a liver transplant. He also underwent an operation in 2017 and it was successful. After his recovery, he rejoined the band in 2018. He performed last at the Machaca festival in Monterrey, Mexico on November 30, 2024. The band made a stage comeback after a year, with shows over 2025-26. But Sam would’t be part of it.
Sam Rivers’s death was confirmed by his band, Limp Bizkit. In an emotional post, the band wrote, “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat. Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous. We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there. He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam. We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends. — Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal.”
Sam Rivers met frontman Fred Durst in Jacksonville, Florida. At the event, they played in a local band called Malachi Sage. When it ended in 1994, they joined drummer John Otto to form Limp Bizkit. Guitarist Wes Borland and DJ Lethal later completed the group’s signature lineup. They made their debut in 1997 with an album Three Dollar Bill, Y’all in 1997, which introduced their aggressive fusion of rock and hip-hop.
