Photos by Maurice Nunez

Pioneering band Limp Bizkit has confirmed the tragic news of the passing of their founding bassist and the "heartbeat" of their band, Sam Rivers. While no cause of death has been confirmed, Rivers had previously battled liver disease.

In 2015, Rivers stepped away from Limp Bizkit for treatment and recovery and while he initially cited back problems as the cause, he would later reveal via NME his excessive drinking and resulting health complications from liver disease forced him to make significant changes. 

Limp Bizkit confirmed Rivers passing with a post via social media earlier today (October 18th) explaining the magnitude of thier loss, the significance of Sam and the lasting legacy he will forever have on the collective members and fans of Limp Bizkit. 

“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“

Since the band's formation in 1994, Rovers has remained a fixture as the founding bassist of the band. Rivers recorded bass all of the band's six albums, beginning with the breakout acclaim of 1997's Three Dollar Bill Y'all to Limp Bizkit's most recent full length in 2021's Still Sucks.