Sam Rivers, the longtime bassist for the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, has died at the age of 48, the group announced on social media. The band did not disclose where or how he died, but described Rivers as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.”
Rivers had previously spoken about battling liver disease caused by heavy drinking. After leaving the band in 2015 to undergo a liver transplant, he reunited with Limp Bizkit three years later, resuming tours and performances alongside front man Fred Durst.
Durst paid tribute to his bandmate, calling him “an irreplaceable spirit” and “a gift to music.” “He really did have an impact on the world,” he said. “His music and his gift are what’s going to keep on giving.”
Indeed, this year has seen the losses of many remarkable individuals, from celebrated actors and directors to musicians, athletes, authors, philanthropists, and even the head of the Catholic Church. Click through the following gallery to bid farewell to the famous figures who have passed away so far this year.