Bassist Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit performs a show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on June 20, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)

🎸 Rock World Mourns: Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dies at 48

Fans and fellow musicians are in shock following the death of Sam Rivers, the iconic bassist for the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit. Rivers passed away on Saturday, as confirmed by heartfelt social media posts from his bandmates. No details about the location or circumstances of his death have been disclosed.

In an emotional group statement, Limp Bizkit wrote:

“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.”

Frontman Fred Durst shared a poignant video recounting their first meeting at a club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and the journey that would lead them to global music stardom. Durst admitted he has shed “gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday,” emphasizing Rivers’ lasting impact on both the band and the world of music:

“He really did have an impact on the world, and his music and his gift is the one that’s going to keep on giving. I just love him so much.”

🎵 A Life of Music and Struggle

Rivers, 48, had a history of battling liver disease, which he attributed in part to heavy drinking. He left Limp Bizkit in 2015, undergoing a liver transplant, before reuniting with the band three years later. Throughout his career, Rivers was known not just for his skillful bass lines, but for his charisma and the energy he brought to the stage — described by bandmates as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.”

🌎 Legacy and Upcoming Tour

Limp Bizkit is set to begin a Central and South America tour in late November, kicking off in Mexico City. Rivers’ passing casts a somber shadow over the tour, with fans and fellow musicians alike preparing to honor his life and contributions to music.

As the music world mourns, the legacy of Sam Rivers endures — a testament to his unmatched talent, unwavering spirit, and the indelible mark he left on rock music.