Despite the devastating loss of founding bassist Sam Rivers on October 18, 2025, Limp Bizkit has announced their intention to proceed with their scheduled South American tour, which begins in Mexico City on November 29.
Rivers, 48, was found in cardiac arrest at his St. Johns County, Florida home, with emergency responders declaring the death as “attended,” suggesting the bassist had been battling a known, life-threatening illness. Though the official cause remains unannounced, sources close to the band indicate a suspected heart attack complicated by his long-documented liver disease. Rivers underwent a liver transplant in 2017 following his 2011 diagnosis related to excessive alcohol consumption.
The band’s tribute statement described Rivers as “pure magic” and emphasized his irreplaceable contribution to Limp Bizkit’s distinctive sound. Frontman Fred Durst characterized the late bassist as “the pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound,” highlighting Rivers’ fundamental role in the group’s 30-year history. Durst’s emotional tribute honored Rivers as “a true legend of legends” in the music industry.
Notably, recent performances had seen Rivers wearing “Fuck Cancer” shirts, fueling fan speculation about additional health challenges, though no cancer diagnosis has been officially confirmed. Bandmate DJ Lethal shared emotional tributes referencing Rivers’ health struggles across social media platforms.
The decision to continue touring without a confirmed replacement has generated mixed reactions among the fanbase. Many supporters view the choice as honoring Rivers’ legacy and commitment to performance, while others have expressed surprise at the relatively brief mourning period before resuming professional obligations. The band has already released archival performances of Rivers on streaming platforms to commemorate his musical contributions. This move aligns with modern musicians’ strategy to create diverse income streams while memorializing their bandmate’s artistic legacy.
No major fan campaigns to delay the tour have emerged, however, with the majority of online tributes focusing on Rivers’ musical influence and personal impact on the nu-metal genre. The upcoming seven-show jaunt will feature collaborations with artists like Yungblud and 311 across various Latin American venues.
Details regarding how Rivers’ bass parts will be handled during live performances remain undisclosed. The band has not indicated any plans to postpone shows or cancel tour dates, maintaining that continuing to perform represents their commitment to celebrating the bassist’s contributions to Limp Bizkit’s enduring sound and spirit.
