Fred Durst, vocalist of Limp Bizkit , paid a lengthy tribute to Sam Rivers , bassist and co-founder of the band, who died last Saturday, October 18th, at the age of 48.
Alongside Fred and drummer John Otto , Sam Rivers founded the nu metal band in 1994. Through a video posted on social media , Fred Durst reflects on the moments spent with the bassist [transcription via Blabbermouth ]: “Sam Rivers, the legend. Truly. Such a talented, incredibly sweet and wonderful person.”
The vocalist continued, recounting the idea of forming the band and how he met Sam: “I went to a little bar/pub where a band was playing in Jax Beach, called Pier 7. And there was Sam on stage with his band, killing it on bass. And I thought, 'My God, this guy is incredible.' […] I saw Sam play and I was blown away. […] And I went up to Sam after the show and said, 'Hey, man, you're unbelievable. I had an idea for a band I want to form,' and I kind of pitched it to him and told him what I wanted it to be. And he looked at me and said, 'Awesome. I'm in. Let's do it.' I was like, 'My God. Well, let's do it.' And, you know, that's how things started to happen. I had a bassist.”
Durst also spoke about the musical chemistry: “Sam had this thing about him where anything I could spit out of my mouth – ‘try this’, ‘try that’, ‘do this’ or ‘this’ – Sam could do it and do it a thousand times better than I could hear in my head. Sam really loved Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots and the whole Seattle grunge movement. And he had this kind of ability to get this beautiful sadness out of the bass that I had never heard. I mean, he played chords. He was so talented. I can’t explain it. I know I’m everywhere here.”
Achievements with Limp Bizkit
Fred Durst continued the tribute, recounting Sam's time in the band and lamenting the death of his longtime friend: “Just thinking about him, it’s so tragic that he’s not here now. And I’ve cried a lot since yesterday, and I’m thinking: ‘My God, Sam is a legend.’ He did it. He lived it. With Limp Bizkit, we lived quite a journey.”
Fred continued: “And Sam was very, very happy about it. We rocked stadiums together, we traveled the world together, we shared so many moments together. And I know that wherever Sam is now, he’s smiling and thinking, ‘Man, I did it. I did it.’ And man, he did. What he left us behind is priceless. He was such a special person. And Sam was a very private person too. So, the few people who got to be close to him and around him know that what I’m saying is true. He was a very, very special and genuine person.”
“And I knew I was very, very, very lucky, very lucky to have him in my life. And I’m so grateful, incredibly grateful to have shared part of this journey with Sam Rivers — a huge part of this journey, a huge part of my journey. I’m super, super grateful and I already miss him so much. And all the support and love I’ve seen online is amazing. He really had an impact on the world, and his music and his talent are what will continue to bear fruit. And I just love him so much,” Fred Durst concluded, emotionally.
Watch the full video on Fred Durst's Instagram.
Sam Rivers' sudden departure
The news of Sam Rivers' death caught everyone by surprise, with the cause of death still undisclosed. The band posted a statement on Saturday night saying: “Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heart. Sam Rivers wasn't just our bassist — he was pure magic. The pulse behind every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first note we played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was natural, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.”
Sam Rivers left the band in 2015 after being diagnosed with a degenerative disease, but returned in 2018. Years later, Sam stated that his departure was due to liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption, and he underwent a liver transplant.
Currently, Limp Bizkit has only one show scheduled in Brazil in 2025. The tour, which has already covered the United States and Europe, will arrive at Allianz Parque in São Paulo on December 20th. Other names included in the lineup are: YUNGBLUD , 311, Ecca Vandal, Riff Raff , and Slay Squad .
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