On Saturday, October 18, Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit announced the sad news that their co-founding bass player, Sam Rivers, has passed away at the age of 48. The band shared a heartfelt message: “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Sam 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. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.”
The music community is coming together to honor Rivers and share their condolences. David Ellefson, former Megadeth bassist and current member of Kings of Thrash, expressed his shock, saying, “Unreal news about Sam Rivers’ passing. I just saw him in Frankfurt this past March. We did Ozzfest ‘98 with Limp Bizkit, and you could feel the tides shifting with their music and the rise of that hip-hop-infused Nu-Metal culture. Sam was an integral part of their sound—an inventive, groove-driven bassist who brought a unique pulse to the band. Condolences to his bandmates, family, friends, and fans everywhere. You will be missed by us all.”
Rock band Tantric also shared their grief, stating, “We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of Sam Rivers. He was more than just a musical icon; he was a friend and a kindred spirit in the rock community. His legacy will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Sam. You’ll always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sam Rivers’ family and friends during this tough time.
