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Sam Rivers, the influential bassist and founding member of the iconic band Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48, the band announced on Saturday.
In an emotional post on Instagram, the band revealed the news of Rivers’ death, though they did not disclose the cause.
“Today, we lost our brother, our bandmate, our heartbeat,” the statement began. “Sam Rivers was more than just our bassist — he was pure magic. He was the pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.”
The band went on to praise his irreplaceable talent and unforgettable presence. “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,” they shared.
They concluded the tribute by honoring his legacy, saying, “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.”
The message was signed by Rivers’ bandmates, Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto and DJ Lethal.
Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit performs at the Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP) 
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 15: Sam Rivers from Limp Bizkit performs at Le Bataclan on June 15, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images) 
Nu-metal band Limp Bizkit from left: bassist Sam Rivers, DJ Lethal (Leor Dimant), drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland and singer Fred Durst at the Grammy Awards, Los Angeles, California, February 23rd 2000. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Archive Photos/Getty Images) 
U.S band Limp Bizkit arrives with a guest for the Kerrang Awards 2009, at the Brewery in London, Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan) Wes Borland, left, Fred Durst and Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit perform during the Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival, Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
The nu-metal band was formed in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida. Rivers met lead vocalist Durst while the two were working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant, according to Deadline.
Limp Bizkit grew in popularity and became one of the genre’s most influential groups of the late ‘90s to 2000s. Best known for tracks such as “Break Stuff,” “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle),” “Take A Look Around,” and “My Way,” the band has released six studio albums, many of which have been platinum-certified.
In 2015, Rivers left the group due to liver disease complications from excessive drinking, Deadline reports. He received a liver transplant and, three years later, rejoined the band and played with them until his death.
“We love you, Sam,” the band’s Instagram message reads. “We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends.”
