Sam Rivers (musician)

Samuel Robert Rivers (born on 2 September, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida), more commonly known as 'Sam Rivers' is the bass guitarist and one of the founding members of the band Limp Bizkit. He is the cousin of the band's drummer, John Otto. He uses custom made Warwick basses, with light-emitting diodes in the fretboard.

Early Years

Rivers musical career started fairly early on, with him playing the tuba in a band in Arlington Middle School called 'Malachi Sage'. He got into music initially because of his cousin John Otto, who played Jazz-style drums. He attended Kenny Bishop High School, and later The Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts.

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 shortlived band. When the band didn't quite work out, the two decided to try again, and this time John Otto came into the picture to be the drummer at the suggestion of Sam. In 1994 the three formed Limp Bizkit. Later on guitarist Wes Borland came into the fold, as well as DJ Lethal in 1996.

The band went on to international fame, and to eventually sell more than 33 million records.

Today

After Limp Bizkit went on hiatus, Sam became a producer for local bands in Jacksonville. He produced the first album of the band 'The Embraced'[1]. Sam will join Limp Bizkit for their next album The Unquestionable Truth (Part 2).

Trivia

• Rivers was the youngest member of the band. In fact, when their first album, Three Dollar Bill Y'all, was released, he was only 19 years old.
• His influences include bands such as Black Sabbath and Megadeth.
• He was voted World's Best Bass Player in the 2000 Gibson Awards.

Collaborations

• Marilyn Manson ft. Sam Rivers - Redeemer (Queen of the Damned soundtrack)
• David Draiman ft. Sam Rivers - Forsaken (Queen of the Damned soundtrack)
• Black Light Burns ft. Sam Rivers - I Have a Need (Cruel Melody)