With heavy hearts, Limp Bizkit announced on social media the passing of their beloved bassist, Sam Rivers, at the age of 48. The band shared that Rivers had departed on Saturday, though the specifics of his demise, including the location and circumstances, were kept private. They eulogized him as "pure magic" and "the soul in the sound," describing his presence as "unforgettable" and his heart as "enormous."
In an Instagram post announcing his death, the band 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. We shared so many moments—wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones—and every one of them meant more because Sam was there."
The band's frontman and lead vocalist, Fred Durst, shared a video on Sunday morning, recounting their meeting at a club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and their subsequent musical journey to stardom and performances around the globe. Durst expressed his grief, saying he had shed "gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday."
"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," Durst said. "I just love him so much."
Rivers had previously spoken of his struggles with heavy drinking that had led to liver disease. He left the band in 2015 and received a liver transplant before rejoining Limp Bizkit three years later. The band's off-the-wall sense of humor is reflected in their titles, such as the 2000 album "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" and the single released last month titled "Making Love to Morgan Wallen."
Limp Bizkit has scheduled a tour of Central and South America, beginning in Mexico City in late November. Durst shared his love for grunge music and how Rivers had a unique ability to pull out a beautiful sadness from the bass that he had never heard before. "He was so talented I can't explain," Durst said.
With roots in Jacksonville, Florida, Limp Bizkit emerged in the late 1990s with a sound that melds alternative rock, heavy metal, and rap. Their music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, and their loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved Sam Rivers.
