October 18, 2025 — Limp Bizkit have announced the passing of their founding bassist Sam Rivers at the age of 48. The band confirmed the news today, describing him as “the pulse beneath every song” and “a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human.”
Rivers was part of Limp Bizkit’s original lineup, performing on all of the band’s landmark releases, including Significant Other (1999) and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000). His distinctive bass tone and rhythmic feel helped define the group’s unmistakable sound, making him one of the most influential figures in late-’90s and early-2000s rock.
His death comes just weeks after the band completed their 2025 world tour.
In a heartfelt statement, the band shared:
In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers
“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
Sam Rivers’ legacy as a musician and innovator will continue to inspire generations of fans and artists around the world.
