Sam Rivers, the founding bassist of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, has died at the age of 48. The band announced his passing on Saturday through a heartfelt message on social media.

In their tribute, band members Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto, and DJ Lethal expressed their grief, stating, "Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat." They described Rivers as more than just a bassist, calling him "pure magic" and highlighting his significant impact on their music. "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," they wrote.

Limp Bizkit was formed in 1994 by Rivers and Durst. The band gained fame with their debut album, "Three Dollar Bill, Y’all," released in 1997. Their third album, "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water," debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart in 2000 and sold over a million copies in its first week.

Rivers left the band in 2015 after being diagnosed with liver disease, which he attributed to excessive drinking. He later underwent a liver transplant and rejoined Limp Bizkit in 2018. Rivers contributed to the band's latest album, "Still Sucks," released in 2021.

In their tribute, the band members referred to Rivers as a "true legend of legends" and expressed their love for him, stating, "We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends." DJ Lethal added that they were "in shock" and requested respect for Rivers's family's privacy during this difficult time.

Limp Bizkit was scheduled to begin their Gringo Papi tour in Latin America on November 29, but it remains uncertain if the tour will proceed without Rivers. DJ Lethal encouraged fans to honor Rivers by playing his bass lines and celebrating his legacy.

Rivers was born on September 2, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida. His last performance with Limp Bizkit took place at the Leeds and Reading Festivals in late August. The band members reflected on their shared experiences with Rivers, stating, "We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there." They concluded their tribute by affirming that his spirit will live on through their music and memories.