Sam Rivers (bassist)

Samuel Robert Rivers (September 2, 1977 – October 18, 2025) was an American musician. He was the bassist, backing vocalist and was one of the founding members of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit.

Early life

Rivers' musical career started fairly early on, with him playing the tuba in a band in Arlington Middle School. He got into music initially because his friend John Otto played jazz-style drums.

Many had said that Otto was a cousin of Rivers, but during a documentary that was recorded of the band recording their second album, Rivers admitted that they initially thought they were cousins but realized neither parents were related.

He attended Bishop Kenny High School. He played guitar at first, but later switched to bass at the suggestion of his music teacher.

Career

Limp Bizkit

Rivers first met Fred Durst while working at a Chick-fil-A in a mall in Jacksonville. The two started talking, and found they shared several interests, including skateboarding and music. They decided to get together for a jam session. Rivers was becoming an accomplished bass guitarist, and Durst was to be a vocalist. Together with several other people they formed a short-lived band called Malachi Sage.

When the band did not work out, the two decided to try again, and this time Otto came into the picture to be the drummer at the suggestion of Rivers. In 1994, the three formed Limp Bizkit. Later on, Borland came into the fold, as well as DJ Lethal, in 1996. Rivers was the youngest member of the band. When their first album Three Dollar Bill, Yall was released, he was 19 years old. Limp Bizkit went on to become one of the defining bands of the nu metal genre.

On Limp Bizkit's Results May Vary album, Rivers subbed in on guitar on some tracks in the absence of guitarist Wes Borland.