Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst shared a touching video in memory of bandmate Sam Rivers following his death.
On Saturday, the band announced the passing of bassist Sam Rivers, 48, after his battle with liver disease.
To the group, Rivers was more than a bandmate; he was a brother and the heartbeat of the group.
As condolences poured in, the nu-metal frontman opened up about just how heartbroken he was over the loss.
Fans got a glimpse of a more personal side of Durst as he reflected on the late bandmate’s talent and pivotal role in shaping the band’s formation.
In an eight-minute video posted on his Instagram, he called Rivers a “legend” and described him as “gifted, unbelievably sweet and a wonderful person.”
He recalled meeting Rivers at a Florida club in 1994, back when he was envisioning the band that would become Limp Bizkit.
“I had this idea and vision for this particular type of style and sound, and I just couldn’t get it together right,” he shared in the clip, adding, “And so I decided, ‘I’m gonna go out and find the right players to do this and bring this thing together.’ I went into this little tiny bar/pub where this band was playing at Jax Beach called Pier 7. And there Sam was on the stage with his band, killing it on the bass. And I went, ‘Oh my gosh, this guy’s amazing.’”
In awe of such great talent, Durst immediately knew he had to bring him on board.
“And in my mind, it was, you had to start with the, the rhythm section, the bass and the drums, and [I] didn’t know who I was gonna meet first,” he continued. “To put this idea together. Didn’t know if it’d be the drummer or the bass player, but it was the bass player. I saw Sam play and I was blown away. He’s playing a five-string bass, too. I’d never really seen someone using a five-string bass and just, he was so smooth and good and he stood out, and I could hear nothing else but Sam, you know? Everything disappeared besides his gift.”
Thankfully, after pitching the band idea, Rivers agreed to join, making him the first member that Durst recruited.
From then on, Rivers invited his cousin John Otto, who became the band’s drummer.
“John and Sam – it was a magical thing, the two of them,” he said. At the time, he felt like he was slowly piecing together the puzzle that would become the band.
As the lead vocalist recalled their humble beginnings and how he and Rivers “shared an affinity for grunge music,” he also spoke about how he stayed behind the spotlight.
“He is a very private person,” Durst continued. “He’s a very, very special, genuine person, and when he got on that stage, it’s that Sam – that Sam Rivers came out and just..he’s a beast.”
He concluded his message by sharing how deeply he valued their bond and how “fortunate” he felt to have crossed paths with him.
“I’m very fortunate to have him in my life, and, and I’m so grateful, so incredibly grateful to have shared part of this journey with Sam Rivers. A huge part of this journey, a huge part of my journey. I’m super, super grateful and I miss him terribly already. All the support and love out there I’ve seen online, it’s overwhelming. He really did have an impact on the world, and his music and his gift is the one that’s gonna keep on giving. And I just love him so much.”
Besides Durst, Rivers and Otto, Limp Bizkit’s original members include guitarist Wes Borland and turntablist DJ Lethal.
Related: ’90s Rock Band Limp Bizkit Mourns Death of Band Member
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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