Sam Rivers, the bassist and founding member of the American nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to the BBC. In a social media post, the band highlighted that Rivers was not only their bass player but “the soul of the sound.” “From the very first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, and his heart enormous,” the musicians wrote. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Limp Bizkit, consisting of Fred Durst, John Otto, DJ Lethal, and Sam Rivers, was formed in 1994. The group became known for combining hip-hop and rock along with explicit lyrics, defining the sound of the late 1990s and helping bring heavy music into the mainstream. Their notable albums include Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water, while hit singles such as Take a Look Around and the number-one track Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle) further cemented their success.
“We shared countless moments — wild, quiet, and beautiful — and every single one mattered because Sam was there,” the band said. DJ Lethal, whose real name is Leor Dimant, added on Instagram: “We are in shock,” and requested that fans respect the privacy of Rivers’ family.
In addition to his musical talent, Rivers was actively involved in charitable work. In 2000, he received the Gibson Award for Best Bassist. “He will live on through his music and through the lives of people he helped with his music, charity work, and friendships,” DJ Lethal wrote in tribute.
In September, the band released a new single, Making Love to Morgan Wallen, and performed at the Reading Festival in August. It has been four years since their last album, Still Suck. Rivers temporarily left Limp Bizkit in 2015 due to liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In an interview for Jon Wiederhorn’s book Raising Hell, he shared that he underwent treatment and received a liver transplant. “I quit drinking and did everything the doctors advised,” the musician said, as cited by Loudwire.
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