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Sam Rivers, the founding bassist for Limp Bizkit, died on Saturday. He was 48. The band confirmed the news on social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat,\u201d Limp Bizkit wrote on Instagram<\/a>, sharing a photo of Rivers. \u201cSam Rivers wasn\u2019t just our bass player \u2014 he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.\u201d<\/p>\n More from Rolling Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n In 1994, Rivers joined the band at singer Fred Durst\u2019s request; he had been the bassist for Malachi Sage at the time. Rivers\u2019 cousin John Otto joined as their drummer shortly afterward, with Wes Borland rounding out the original lineup that expanded to include DJ Lethal.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced,\u201d the band continued in its statement on Saturday. \u201cHis talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.<\/p>\n \u201cWe shared so many moments \u2014 wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones \u2014 and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory,\u201d the band wrote. \u201cWe love you, Sam. We\u2019ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a developing story\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Best of Rolling Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for RollingStone’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n