Sam Rivers, a co-founder and bassist of the nu metal group Limp Bizkit, passed away at the age of 48, as announced by his bandmates via social media. In a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram, lead vocalist Fred Durst, guitarist Wes Borland, drummer John Otto, and DJ Lethal remembered Rivers as more than a bass player, describing him as the essence of their music and the calm amidst chaos.
Limp Bizkit was preparing to kick off their Gringo Papi tour in Latin America, but it remains uncertain if the tour will proceed without Rivers. DJ Lethal expressed gratitude for Rivers’s musical contributions, charity work, and friendships, urging fans to honor his legacy by listening to his basslines.
Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994, Limp Bizkit gained fame with their second album “Significant Other” and hit single “Nookie.” The album achieved massive success, topping the Billboard 200 chart and earning a 7x Platinum certification. The band received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Performance.
Their subsequent album, “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water,” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying their mainstream appeal. Limp Bizkit’s latest studio album, “Still Sucks,” was released in 2021.
The band did not disclose the cause of Rivers’s death. Reports indicate that he temporarily left Limp Bizkit in 2015 due to liver disease, which he attributed to excessive drinking. After undergoing a successful liver transplant in 2018, Rivers returned to the stage.
Born in Jacksonville on September 2, 1977, Rivers last performed with Limp Bizkit at the Leeds and Reading Festivals in England. His bandmates remembered him as an extraordinary individual, emphasizing that his spirit will endure through their music and memories. Rivers’s legacy as a musician and friend was cherished by his fellow band members, who pledged that his music would continue to resonate.