Limp Bizkit OG bassist Sam Rivers dies at 48: Who was he? How did he die? Here's what we know

Sam Rivers, the bassist and founding member of the popular metal band Limp Bizkit, died on Saturday. He was 48. His death was confirmed by the group on social media with an official statement. Limp Bizkit OG bassist Sam Rivers dies “Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat,” read the statement from Limp Bizkit band members. “Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bassist – 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,” it continued. “We shared so many moments – wild moments, quiet ones, beautiful ones – and each of them meant more because Sam was there. He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of person. 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. Never rest easy, brother. Read report here: Who was Sam Rivers? Sam Rivers, who in 1977 in Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he began his musical journey in middle school, first picking up the tuba while his friend – future Limp Bizkit drummer John Otto – played jazz drums. Although often said to be cousins, Rivers and Otto were not actually related. Rivers eventually switched to bass and guitar and struck up a friendship with Fred Durst, who would become the future became frontman of Limp Bizkit. The pair initially formed a short-lived band called Malachi Sage before joining forces with Otto to launch Limp Bizkit in 1994. They were later joined by guitarist Wes Borland and former House of Pain member DJ Lethal, rounding out the band’s iconic lineup. Limp Bizkit In line with the rising “nu-metal” wave, Limp Bizkit gained momentum after opening for Korn in Los Angeles and signing with Flip Records, which paved the way for their debut album titled Three Dollar Bill Y’all in 1997. With breakout success following their 1999 album Significant Other and their heavy hits such as Fa Nookie Bizt became Fa Nookie Bizki. dominant force in rock. However, controversy erupted during their Woodstock ’99 performance. Despite alleged internal conflicts and Borland’s temporary exit, Rivers remained a steady presence in the group, switching to guitar for Results May Vary in 2003 (before Borland’s return). After a 2006 hiatus, Rivers turned to playing for local Jacksonville bands produced and later rejoined Limp Bizkit in 2009. He left the group for good in 2015 due to health-related reasons stemming from liver ailments caused by alcohol abuse, as reported by Variety. How did Sam Rivers die? While Sam Rivers’ cause of death is not yet known, reports indicate that he had several health issues. Rivers suffered from liver-related illnesses and later had a underwent liver transplant in 2017. Rivers returned to the band shortly after his liver transplant in 2018 and remained a part of Limp Bizkit until his time on earth.