Anish Vij
Limp Bizkit bassist and founding member Sam Rivers has passed away at the age of 48.
The US metal band announced Rivers' death in a statement on Instagram on 18 October.
"In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers," they wrote. "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."
Formed in 1994, Limp Bizkit blended hip-hop and rock with aggressive, explicit lyrics in the late ’90s.
Made up of Rivers, Fred Durst, John Otto, DJ Lethal, and Wes Borland, their breakthrough albums were Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish.
The Hot Dog Flavored Water produced major hits like Take a Look Around and chart-topper Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle).
"We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there," the band continued.
They said Rivers was 'a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human' and 'a true legend of legends'.
"And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam," they wrote.
"We'll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends. — Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal."
Rivers' cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
The bassist left the band in 2015 for several years due to liver disease from 'excessive drinking', he told author Jon Wiederhorn in the book Raising Hell.
"I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me," he said. "I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match."
Fans are devastated by the loss, as one person tweeted: "Gutted to wake up to the news of the Limp Bizkit's Sam Rivers passing. Sam and Limp Bizkit have been a huge part of my life since I was about 16, and always considered them one of my favourite bands.
"My sympathies & condolences to Sam Rivers family & friends," a second wrote. "RIP Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit."
"You were an incredible bass player and an integral part of the band's sound </3," a third added.