Limp Bizkit to go ahead with tour after death of bassist Sam Rivers

Limp Bizkit are reportedly set to go ahead with their planned tour dates following the death of founding bassist Sam Rivers at the age of 48.

Limp Bizkit announced Rivers' death on October 18 in an Instagram post. They did not reveal a cause of death at the time.

"Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic," Limp Bizkit said.

"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.

"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. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends."

 

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Limp Bizkit will reportedly continue with their upcoming planned tour dates, which are set to kick off in Mexico City next month.

According to reporting from The PRP, promoters for the Mexico City concert issued a statement confirming the November 29 show will go ahead as planned.

"We deeply regret the passing of Sam Rivers, founding bassist of Limp Bizkit, whose talent and legacy marked generations and will continue to resonate in every note of his music," the statement readl

"In such a significant moment for the band and its fans, Limp Bizkit has decided to continue with its performance on November 29...That night, every riff and every scream of the crowd will resonate in honor of the great legacy Sam offered to to Nu-Metal, because his energy will never cease. See you soon!"

Yesterday, TMZ reported Rivers had suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida and was "nonresponsive" on the day of his death.

"Deputies responded to an attended death at [Rivers'] address," a spokesperson for local authorities told TMZ.

An attended death refers to when the deceased was already suffering from a life-threatening medical condition at the time of death.

In 2011, Rivers was diagnosed with liver disease due to excessive drinking — causing him to temporarily leave Limp Bizkit between 2012 and 2018 — though he underwent a successful liver transplant in 2017 and has rarely spoken publicly about his health since.

At the time of writing, it is unknown whether his past liver conditions had any connection to his death.

Reactions have poured in from Rivers' bandmates and fellow musicians, including a tearful video tribute from Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst on Instagram.

"Sam Rivers, the legend, was truly such a gifted, unbelievably sweet and wonderful person," Durst said.

"It's so tragic that he's not here right now. I've gone through gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday. We rocked stadiums together, we've been around the world together, shared so many moments together and I know that wherever Sam is right now, he's smiling and feeling like, man, I did it. And man, did he do it.

"I was very, very fortunate to have him in my life, and I'm so incredibly grateful to have shared part of this journey with Sam Rivers, a huge part of my journey. I'm super, super grateful and I miss him terribly already. All the support and love I've seen out there online is overwhelming, he really did have an impact on the world. His music and his gift is the one that's going to keep on giving."

Korn's Fieldy, fellow bassist for an iconic nu metal band, paid tribute to Rivers in an Instagram story.

Fieldy posted a photo of their two bands together with the caption: "I'm thankful for the time I got to spend with Sam. One of my favourite bass players, you will be missed. Prayers for your family."

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Rivers' music career started when he took up the tuba in a middle school band. In high school, he played guitar before switching to bass at the suggestion of a teacher.

Rivers and Durst met while working at a fast food restaurant in Jacksonville as adults. They played a few jam sessions and formed the short-lived band Malachi Sage.

When Malachi Sage didn't catch on, Rivers brought on longtime friend and drummer John Otto.

In 1994, the trio formed Limp Bizkit. Guitarist Wes Borland and producer DJ Lethal joined in 1996.

The youngest member of the band, Rivers was only 19 years old when their first album, Three Dollar Bill, Yall, was released.

Limp Bizkit became one of the defining bands of the nu metal genre, inspiring the likes of Linkin Park, Wargasm and more. Over nearly three decades, they released six studio albums with an estimated 40 million sales worldwide.

The band won a Billboard Music Award for Top Modern Rock Artist in 2000, three MTV Europe Music Awards including Best Group and Best Album in 2001 and an American Music Award for Favourite Alternative Artist in 2002. They were also nominated for three Grammy Awards.

At the 2000 Gibson Awards, Rivers was voted Best Bass Player. He also played for bands Sleepkillers and Burn Season.

Rivers' last performance was with Limp Bizkit at the Leeds Festival earlier this year.