Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dead At 48

DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 08: Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit performs onstage at KROQ Weenie Roast & Luau at Doheny State Beach on June 08, 2019 in Dana Point, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for KROQ)

Getty Images for KROQ

Sam Rivers, founding member and bassist for the iconic nu metal outfit Limp Bizkit, has died at 48 years old. Limp Bizkit posted a statement on social media revealing the tragic news of their longtime bandmate:

“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

There has been no official cause of death revealed to the public yet, though based on the band members’ comments it sounds like Rivers death was completely unexpected. Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal commented under the band’s post, “We love you Sam rivers. Please respect the family’s privacy at this moment. Give Sam his flowers and play Sam rivers basslines all day ! We are in shock. Rest in power my brother ! You will live on through your music and the lives you helped save with your music , charity work and friendships. We are heartbroken enjoy every millisecond of life. It’s not guaranteed.”

Sam Rivers Was The Backbone Of Limp Bizkit

Much of nu metal’s appeal comes from its bouncy riffs and groovy rhythm sections, both of which are omnipresent throughout Limp Bizkit’s music. Sam Rivers’ bass playing did a lot of the heavy lifting in these aspects, and his unique ability to craft memorable melodic bass lines in between these explosive moments was what separated him from a lot of other metal and rock bassists. Songs “Re-Arranged,” “9 Teen 90 Nine,” “Take A Look Around,” and even the band’s recent single “Making Love to Morgan Wallen” showcase these aspects of Rivers’ playing brilliantly. In year that has taken so much rock talent far too soon, Rivers death adds a tremendous weight to the already burdensome year for the rock and heavy music scenes.