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Sam Rivers, the founding bassist of Limp Bizkit, died on October 18, 2025, at the age of 48, as reported by Us Weekly. The news of his passing was shared through a joint statement by his bandmates on social media. The cause of the bassist's death remains unknown as of yet. His love and contribution to music will be remembered by musicians and fans alike.
Although the cause of Rivers' death is unknown, the battles with his health have been documented. According to his interview with rock writer Jon Wiederhorn for his book Raising Hell (Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends) as reported by Loudwire, Sam Rivers was diagnosed with a liver disease caused due to excessive drinking. Years of heavy drinking had caused severe harm to his liver, he revealed. As early as 2011, his doctors had warned him about drinking. He had stopped drinking briefly and was trying to navigate the disease for a while.
But by 2015, his health had gotten worse, and he left Limp Bizkit. The bassist underwent treatment for alcohol and a liver transplant. He went back to performing with Limp Bizkit and rejoined the band in 2018.
Sam Rivers' years of health struggles and treatment
Sam Rivers revealed that he had been warned by doctors as early as 2011, and was diagnosed in the same year. Years of alcohol consumption had resulted in liver disease. The bassist revealed, as reported by Loudwire,
"I was diagnosed in 2011. I didn't really get what was happening back then. I stopped drinking and battled the liver disease for a bit. I got clean for about nine or ten months and went on tour. I was super clean, but my home life wasn't that great at the time and as soon as I got off tour I started drinking, and then drinking more. I fell right back into being a horrible drunk again."
Sam Rivers quit the band in 2015, and it was reportedly due to degenerative disc disease. But in Wiederhorn's book titled Raising Hell (Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends), his genuine reason for departure was discussed. He talked about the liver disease diagnosis and the long-term effects of consuming alcohol.
The bassist revealed that in the medical intervention at UCLA Hospital, he was informed that if he did not stop, he could lose his life. Rivers underwent a liver transplant in 2017.
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Return to music and his legacy
After his treatment, Sam Rivers could go back on stage in 2018. His followers greeted him back with delight, and he was eager to resume performing, as per US Weekly.
His bandmates called Rivers Limp Bizkit's emotional and rhythmic center. In the joint statement posted on social media, his bandmates Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto, and DJ Lethal referred to him as their "brother," "bandmate," "heartbeat," and "pulse behind every song." Furthermore, they also cited his effortless talent, enormous heart, and unforgettable performance. Rivers's musical taste shaped the group's sound in the early 2000s and late 1990s.
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Though he stayed mostly in private, Sam Rivers remained musically active in the years leading up to his death.
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