Sam Rivers, the original bassist and co-founder of the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, passed away on October 18, 2025, at age 48. The band announced his death on Instagram, calling him “our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.” No cause of death has been disclosed.[1][2][3]
Early Life and Formation
Sam Rivers was born on September 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida. He met drummer John Otto in middle school, and later the pair connected with Fred Durst while working at a Chick-fil-A. In 1994, they formed the group Malachi Sage, which disbanded the same year. Shortly afterward, Rivers, Durst, and Otto founded Limp Bizkit, later joined by guitarist Wes Borland and DJ Lethal.[2][4][5]
Rise to Fame
Limp Bizkit released their debut album Three Dollar Bill, Y’all in 1997.
Their second album, Significant Other (1999), propelled them to mainstream success; it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over one million copies in its first week.[4][1][2] In 2000, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water set a then-record for first-week sales by a rock album and reached multi-platinum status.[3][1][2][4]
| Album | Release Year | Billboard 200 Peak | First-Week Sales Record | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Dollar Bill, Y’all | 1997 | 29 | — | 1,4,10 |
| Significant Other | 1999 | 1 | 1 million+ copies | 1,4,10 |
| Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water | 2000 | 1 | Rock debut-week record | 1,4,7,10 |
| Results May Vary | 2003 | 3 | — | 4,14 |
| Gold Cobra | 2011 | 16 | — | 14,15 |
| Still Sucks | 2021 | 26 | — | 17,18 |
Musical Contributions and Hiatus Work
Rivers’s inventive bass lines and on-stage charisma defined Limp Bizkit’s sound across their first four albums. During Borland’s absence (2001–2004), Rivers also laid down guitar tracks on Results May Vary (2003).[5][2] During the band’s 2006–2009 hiatus, he produced tracks for Jacksonville acts and contributed to the Queen of the Damned: Music From the Motion Picture soundtrack.[6][2]
Health Struggles and Return
In 2015, Rivers left Limp Bizkit due to advanced liver disease attributed to alcohol misuse. He underwent a successful liver transplant after following medical advice to quit drinking and pursue treatment. In 2018, he rejoined the band’s lineup and remained an active member until his death.[7][8][9][3][5]
Recent Work
Limp Bizkit’s latest studio album, Still Sucks, arrived in October 2021, marking their first in ten years. In September 2025, they released the single “Making Love to Morgan Wallen,” showcasing Rivers’s signature low-end grooves.[10][3]
Band’s Tribute
In their Instagram statement, Durst, Borland, Otto, and DJ Lethal wrote:
“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.”[11][12][13]
DJ Lethal added:
“Please respect the family’s privacy at this moment. Give Sam his flowers and play Sam Rivers basslines all day! Rest in power, my brother! You will live on through your music and the lives you helped save with your music, charity work and friendships.”[14][15]
