Sam Rivers, the bassist and founding member of the American band Limp Bizkit, has died at the age of 48, his band announced on social media.
The group announced the news on social media, describing Rivers as “not just our bass player”but “the soul of our sound”.
“Today we lost our brother. Our band mate. Our heart. Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bassist—he was pure magic. The pulse behind every song, the silence in the chaos, the soul in the sound“, the band wrote in an Instagram post.
“From the first note we played together, Sam brought a light and rhythm that will never be replaced. His talent was natural, his presence unforgettable, his heart huge.” the band members also wrote.
The cause of his death has not been revealed, writes the BBC.
Limp Bizkit, consisting of Fred Durst, John Otto, DJ Lethal and Rivers, formed in 1994. With their style that combined hip-hop and rock, as well as lyrics full of vulgar expressions, the band defined the sound of the 90s and was credited with bringing heavy music into the mainstream.
“We are in shock”wrote DJ Lethal (whose real name is Leor Dimant) in a comment on the announcement posted on Instagram.
He asked fans to respect Rivers’ family’s privacy.
In addition to his musical talent — Rivers won the Gibson Award for Best Bassist in 2000 — the band also emphasized his charitable involvement in the tribute.
“You will live on through your music and the lives you saved with your music, your charity work and your friendships”DJ Lethal wrote.
Rivers left Limp Bizkit in 2015 for several years due to liver disease caused by “excessive alcohol consumption,” he told author Jon Wiederhorn for the book Raising Hell.
“I stopped drinking and did everything the doctors told me”he said, according to Loudwire. “I went through alcohol treatment and had a liver transplant, which was a perfect match.”
