Sam Rivers, the longtime bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit, has passed away at the age of 48. 

The band shared the news in a heartfelt post on Instagram:

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

The statement continued, “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’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends.

They signed off the post, “Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal.”

DJ Lethal added a comment to the post, saying the band are understandably "in shock," adding, "please respect the family’s privacy at this moment."

Rivers co-founded Limp Bizkit in 1994 alongside frontman Fred Durst and drummer John Otto in Jacksonville, Florida. Guitarist Wes Borland and DJ Lethal later joined.

The band released six studio albums over the next three decades, including Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, and delivered iconic hits like “Nookie,” “Break Stuff,” “My Way,” and “Take a Look Around.”

In 2015, Rivers took a step back from the group while battling liver disease related to alcohol use. After receiving a liver transplant, he returned to the band in 2018 and continued to record and tour with them. 

No cause of death has been announced.

Very sad news. Rest in peace, Sam Rivers.