Sam Rivers, the longtime bass player and a founding member of the iconic nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48. The news of his death was announced by the band on Saturday night, October 18, through an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, titled “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers.”

Limp Bizkit’s statement highlighted Rivers’ integral role in the band, describing him as “our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.” The post further elaborated on his unique contribution: “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.” The band members expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging his effortless talent, unforgettable presence, and enormous heart, adding that his spirit would live forever in their music and memories.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1977, Rivers was a crucial part of Limp Bizkit’s original formation in 1994, alongside vocalist Fred Durst and drummer John Otto. Wes Borland and DJ Lethal joined the band in 1996. DJ Lethal also shared his grief on Instagram, asking for privacy for the family and urging fans to “play Sam Rivers basslines all day!”

While his cause of death has not been revealed, Rivers had faced significant health challenges previously. He was diagnosed with liver disease in 2011 and underwent a liver transplant in 2017. During this period, he took a temporary hiatus from Limp Bizkit but returned to the band by 2018.

Limp Bizkit achieved widespread fame with their 1997 debut album, *Three Dollar Bill, Y’all*, which included their popular cover of George Michael’s “Faith.” Their sophomore album, *Significant Other* (1999), soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned three Grammy nominations. They continued their success with the 2000 album *Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water*, also reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The band has released six full-length studio albums, with the most recent being *Still Sucks* in 2021. In a recent resurgence, Limp Bizkit returned to the top of a Billboard chart in September 2025, with their single “Making Love to Morgan Wallen” debuting atop multiple hard rock and alternative digital sales charts.