Sam Rivers, the bassist for Limp Bizkit, shared a heartfelt message with fans and revealed exciting festival news shortly before his passing.
On Sunday, October 19, the Nu-metal band announced the death of 48-year-old Rivers, describing him as ‘pure magic’ and a ‘once-in-a-lifetime kind of human’.
The official Limp Bizkit Instagram account posted: “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.”
The statement continued: “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.”
Rivers, originally from Florida and a founding member of the three-time Grammy-nominated group alongside Fred Durst and John Otto, was remembered by the band for bringing an irreplaceable light and rhythm.
The tribute added: “His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous. 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.”
The band’s statement followed Rivers’ final Instagram post, which featured a video soundtracked by The Cars’ 1978 hit Good Times Roll.
The clip celebrated the 25th anniversary of Limp Bizkit’s third album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.
Released on October 16, 2000, the album is known as the fastest-selling rock album of all time and includes hits like ‘My Generation’ and ‘Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)’.
Rivers commented: “Nothing but love.”
In addition to commemorating the album, Rivers used his last post to announce Limp Bizkit’s headlining performance at the Rock For People festival.
Set in Czechia, the festival also features bands like Iron Maiden and Bring Me The Horizon, with Limp Bizkit set to perform on June 11, 2026. This announcement follows the release of their first single in four years, ‘Making Love To Morgan Wallen’, in September.
Tributes for Rivers have been pouring in, including an emotional message from the band’s DJ, DJ Lethal.
Leor Dimant, known as DJ Lethal, expressed: “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.”
He emphasized that Rivers will ‘live on’ through his music, charitable activities, and friendships.
“Enjoy every millisecond of life. It’s not guaranteed.”
Rivers had left Limp Bizkit in 2015, citing health issues related to alcohol overconsumption.
In his book, Raising Hell: Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends, Rivers detailed his health battles: “I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease.”
“I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me. I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match,” he mentioned, as reported by Variety.
He rejoined Limp Bizkit three years later. The circumstances of Rivers’ death have not yet been disclosed by officials.