Limp Bizkit Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Bassist Sam Rivers at First Show Since His Passing
It’s hard to imagine the music world without the signature sound of Limp Bizkit. For decades, they’ve been a force of nature, but now, the band faces a future without one of its founding pillars. On November 29th, for the first time since the tragic passing in October of their bassist Sam Rivers, Limp Bizkit took the stage in Mexico City. The performance at Estadio Fray Nano was more than just a concert; it was a raw, public mourning and a powerful tribute to a fallen brother.
Limp Bizkit’s Announcement
The news of Rivers’ death on October 19th shocked and saddened the rock community. The band’s announcement was heartbreakingly direct:
“Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat. Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.”
Rivers passed away in his Florida home. He was found facedown in his bathroom, likely from a fall. He had been a recipient of a liver transplant in 2018. At just 48 years old, Rivers was sadly gone, leaving a void that felt impossible to fill.
How Limp Bizkit Honored Sam Rivers On Stage
Returning to the stage just over a month after such a profound loss is a monumental task for any artist. The weight of that first show without a key member is immense. Before the concert, drummer John Otto captured the heavy mood in a gut-wrenching online Instagram post addressed to his lifelong friend. He wrote.
“Today is going to be tough… À first I never wanted to experience. Especially not now. You’ve been there for so many major firsts in my life. Some of my earliest memories were made with you.”
Otto’s words painted a vivid picture of a bond that went far beyond bandmates, a brotherhood forged in 1994 – over three decades – full of shared dreams and worldwide adventures.
“There will never be another you. We’re going to honor the life you lived and the love you spread with every show we play. You’ll always be with us…This one’s for you, Sammy.”
During the show, the band found a meaningful way to share their grief with the thousands of fans in attendance. The music stopped, and the members – singer Fred Durst, guitarist Wes Borland, turntablist DJ Lethal, and drummer John Otto – turned their backs to the crowd.
Together, with the crowd, they watched a beautiful video tribute projected onto the massive screens. It was a montage celebrating Rivers, which offered a glimpse into his larger-than-life personality that they all knew and loved. When the video concluded with the messages, “Sam Rivers, our brother forever,” and “Sam Rivers, we love you forever,” the band members had a group hug, a silent, powerful moment of unity. The crowd then began chanting Sam’s name, which was a thunderous echo of shared love.
Who Is Filling In For Sam Rivers?
While Sam Rivers is irreplaceable, the show had to go on. For their South American tour, Limp Bizkit enlisted Richie Buxton, also known as Kid Not, to handle bass duties. Buxton is a talented musician and producer who plays with Ecca Vandal, the tour’s opening act. It’s a temporary role, but a necessary one as the band fulfills its commitments to fans.
Limp Bizkit’s South American tour continues through Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil in the coming weeks. Each night will undoubtedly be a fantastic mix of high-energy performance and solemn remembrance of Rivers. It’s a testament to the enduring power of their music and the unbreakable bond they shared with bassist Sam Rivers.
