• Mon. Oct 20th, 2025
The late Sam RiversThe late Sam Rivers — a founding force and the bass behind Limp Bizkit’s sound. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers

It’s a heartbreaking time for both families, friends, devoted fans—and most deeply, for the members of Limp Bizkit—as they mourn an unimaginable loss.

On Saturday, 18 October, 2025, Sam Rivers, the band’s founding bassist and an irreplaceable soul in their journey, passed away aged 48.

Limp Bizkit, the iconic nu-metal band from Jacksonville, Florida, is known for its explosive energy and raw emotion. But behind the sound and stage lights was a quiet force—Sam—whose presence wasn’t just in the music, but in the very heartbeat of the band.

Though the cause of his passing has not been made public, the void left behind is painfully clear. To the world, he was a gifted musician. To his bandmates, he was magic—a brother, a friend, a constant through every rise and fall.

The late Sam Rivers captured in a powerful moment on stage, standing before the crowd, forming a heart with his hands. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers
The late Sam Rivers captured in a powerful moment on stage, standing before the crowd, forming a heart with his hands. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers
A charged moment on stage as Limp Bizkit connected with fans through their unforgettable performance. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers
A charged moment on stage as Limp Bizkit connected with fans through their unforgettable performance. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers

A message no one wanted to write: Limp Bizkit mourns their brother

They didn’t come forward this time to share new music, tour dates, or any of the usual excitement fans have come to expect. Instead, with hearts weighed down by sorrow, the band took to Instagram to share the kind of news no one ever imagines having to write—their beloved brother and bassist, Sam, is no longer with us.

This is what they had to say, in the raw honesty of their pain:

“In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. 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,” the band wrote.

Overwhelmed by grief, the band is finding it hard to accept that Sam Rivers is gone. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers
Overwhelmed by grief, the band is finding it hard to accept that Sam Rivers is gone. Picture: Instagram@SamRivers

A band’s final words to one of their own

This is how the band continued with their message, remembering a brother not just in music, but in life:

“We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.

“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.

“We love you, Sam. We will carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends.
— Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal,” the band wrote.

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By Asanda Mbayimbayi

Asanda Mbayimbayi is an award-winning Lifestyle News Editor and Journalist celebrated for her dynamic voice in digital lifestyle, entertainment, and hard news journalism. Honoured with the Galliova People’s Hero 2025 Award for her authentic storytelling and powerful connection with audiences, she continues to redefine journalism with purpose, empathy, and impact. With an instinct for uncovering stories that resonate and a deep understanding of audience engagement, Asanda brings clarity, depth, and heart to every piece she crafts. Beyond the newsroom, she wears many hats — Researcher, Qualified Bible Teacher, Content Creator, Producer, Motivational Speaker, and Book Editor to name a few — using her creative and spiritual insight to inspire transformation through words. Whether leading editorial teams, producing meaningful content, or motivating audiences, Asanda stands as a storyteller driven by faith, purpose, and the power of narrative to connect and inspire.