Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has paid an emotional tribute to the band’s bassist Sam Rivers, who has died at the age of 48.
The news was confirmed by the group yesterday (October 18), who described him as “the soul in the sound” and a “once-in-a-lifetime kind of human”. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Now, Durst has shared a lengthy personal video on his Instagram page in which he has reflected on his long relationship with Rivers.
“Sam Rivers, the legend, truly. Such a gifted, unbelievably sweet and wonderful person,” he began.
Durst reflected on how he first met Rivers in the 1990s when he was trying to put together a band in Jacksonville, Florida. “I had this idea and vision for this particular type of style and sound and I just couldn’t get it together right. So I decided I’m going to go out and find the right players to do this and bring this thing together.”
Fred Durst on the passing of Sam Rivers#RIPSamRivers pic.twitter.com/Pqs2B4xMUV
— Promo Joe (@PromoJoeYT) October 19, 2025
He said he saw Rivers “killing it on the bass” with another band in a tiny bar. “I went, oh my gosh, this guy is amazing.”
“I saw Sam play, and I was blown away,” he continued. “He was playing a five-string bass too, I’d never really seen someone using a five-string bass. He was so smooth and good and he stood out. I could hear nothing else but Sam, everything disappeared besides his gift.”
He recalled approaching him to ask him to be in his band, and how Rivers then recommended his cousin John Otto to be their drummer, before going on to share memories of their first jam sessions together in Rivers’ garage and their shared love of Seattle grunge bands.
“It’s so tragic that he’s not here right now, and I’ve gone through gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday. And I’m thinking, gosh, Sam’s a legend, you know? He did it, he lived it.”
“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,” he continued. “And man, did he do it.”
“What he’s left us behind is priceless, he’s such a special person. And Sam’s a very private person too, so the few people that were able to be close with him know what I’m saying to be true.”
“Sam was the first guy that really came in and helped make this dream come true. And he didn’t think twice about it, he just went, ‘yeah let’s go, let’s do it’.”
Durst concluded: “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. I just love him so much.”
Rivers left Limp Bizkit in 2015 for several years due to liver disease from “excessive drinking”, he told author Jon Wiederhorn for the book, Raising Hell. He subsequently received a liver transplant and rejoined the band three years later, playing with the group until his death.
“I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me,” he said. “I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match.”
DJ Lethal has also commented, writing: “We are in shock. Rest in power my brother! You will live on through your music and the lives you helped save with your music, charity work and friendships. We are heartbroken 💔 enjoy every millisecond of life. It’s not guaranteed.”
