Sam Rivers, founding bassist and backing vocalist for nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, died Saturday, October 18, 2025, at age 48. The band announced his passing through an emotional Instagram post, though no cause of death was disclosed.
The remaining band members—vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland and turntablist DJ Lethal—signed a joint tribute describing Rivers as more than just a musician. They characterized him as pure magic, the pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos and 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,” the band wrote in their statement. The tribute emphasized his effortless talent, unforgettable presence, and enormous heart.
Rivers helped establish Limp Bizkit in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida, after befriending Durst while both worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Durst had scouted Rivers while he served as bassist for Malachi Sage, recognizing his talent and potential.
The band’s initial lineup included Rivers, Durst, and Otto, who was studying jazz drumming at the time. They created their first three songs together before adding Borland to the group. DJ Lethal joined later, completing the permanent lineup by 1996.
Limp Bizkit rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their distinctive blend of metal, hip-hop, and punk influences. Their eclectic and heavy sound, combined with expletive-laden lyrics, defined the nu-metal era and brought heavy music to mainstream audiences.
The band achieved significant commercial success with their second and third studio albums. Significant Other, released in 1999, and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, released in 2000, both reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Throughout their career, Limp Bizkit released six studio albums, with the majority earning platinum certification.
The group produced numerous hit singles that dominated radio charts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their most recognized tracks include “Break Stuff,” which has been streamed nearly one billion times on Spotify, along with “Nookie,” “Re-Arranged,” “My Way,” “Take a Look Around” and “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle).” Six of their songs broke into the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band also gained recognition for their 2003 cover “Behind Blue Eyes.”
Limp Bizkit received three Grammy Award nominations during their career, including two nominations for best hard rock performance and one for best rock album for Significant Other. Rivers received individual recognition in 2000 when he won the Gibson award for Best Bassist.
Rivers temporarily left the band in 2015 due to health concerns related to liver disease, which he attributed to excessive drinking. He spoke candidly about his health struggles in author Jon Wiederhorn’s book, “Raising Hell,” explaining that he quit drinking and followed all medical advice from his doctors. He received treatment for alcohol dependency and underwent a liver transplant, which he described as a perfect match.
After recovering from surgery and completing his rehabilitation, Rivers rejoined Limp Bizkit in 2018. He continued performing with the group until his death on Saturday. The band released a new single, “Making Love to Morgan Wallen,” in September. Their most recent album, Still Sucks, was released four years ago. They also released “Battlefield: The After-party” for the video game Battlefield 6.
DJ Lethal, whose real name is Leor Dimant, added a personal comment beneath the band’s Instagram announcement, expressing shock at the loss. He indicated that Rivers would live on through his music and the lives he helped save through his music, charity work, and friendships. He requested that fans respect the privacy of Rivers’ family during this time and suggested that fans honor Rivers by playing his bass lines throughout the day.
The band’s tribute emphasized the personal connection Rivers brought to their music and performances. They reflected on the many moments they shared—wild ones, quiet ones, and beautiful ones—noting that every moment meant more because Rivers was present. They described him as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human and a true legend of legends, promising that his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, and every memory.
Limp Bizkit is scheduled to begin their Gringo Papi Tour on November 29, with support from Yungblud, 311, Ecca Vandal, Riff Raff, and Slay Squad. The band has not announced any changes to the tour schedule following Rivers’ death.
