Ross “The Boss” Friedman, the iconic guitar player who contributed to defining punk rock and heavy metal with his contributions to The Dictators and Manowar, has passed away at the age of 72. The musician from the Bronx passed away on March 26, only a few weeks following the public announcement of his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.
Information regarding Friedman’s passing came to light on March 27 via a post shared on his verified Instagram page. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of the Bronx’s own Ross ‘The Boss,’ Friedman, who died last night after battling ALS,” the statement read.
The guitar player disclosed his ALS condition on February 9, outlining the terrible effect the progressive illness had on his capacity to perform music. “His music meant everything to him and his guitar was his life’s breath. This insidious disease took that away from him,” the Instagram statement noted.
Friedman’s musical journey covered fifty years and numerous musical styles. Born January 3, 1954, he established The Dictators in 1973 alongside Andy “Adny” Shernoff and Scott “Top Ten” Kempner, establishing himself as a cornerstone artist in New York City’s developing punk movement. The group put out three records in their original period—”The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!,” “Manifest Destiny,” and “Bloodbrothers”—garnering praise from critics for their proto-punk musical style.
Following The Dictators’ initial breakup in 1980, Friedman temporarily became part of French rock group Shakin’ Street, fronted by Fabienne Shine. The ensemble served as the opening act for Black Sabbath during their Heaven and **** tour, an encounter that would become crucial for Friedman’s subsequent career phase. During the tour with Black Sabbath, he encountered bassist Joey DeMaio, who was serving as the group’s bass technician. Ronnie James Dio introduced the two musicians, and together they formed Manowar.
Manowar developed into a symbol of grand, mythology-based heavy metal and extreme stage costumes. The group’s members dressed in fur and loincloths, developing a visual presentation unlike anything heavy metal had seen. “We wanted to look like something never before seen in heavy metal,” Friedman told Classic Rock. “We wanted to be wilder than just denim and leather. What would be wilder? Animal fur!”
The group’s dedication to extremes went beyond their outfits. In 1984, the Guinness Book of World Records named Manowar the loudest band on the planet, solidifying their standing for audio intensity.
Friedman, frequently observed playing his Gibson SG, contributed to Manowar’s initial six studio records, including beloved releases “Battle Hymns,” “Into Glory Ride,” and “Hail To England.” His forceful performance style and distinctive sound contributed to establishing the group’s musical identity. DeMaio asked Friedman to leave the band in 1988 following the “Kings of Metal” album, and he departed in 1989.
Manowar broke their silence following news of his death. “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ross ‘The Boss’ Friedman, following his recently announced ALS diagnosis. Music was Ross’s life, and he left his mark across both heavy metal and punk rock,” the band said in a statement.
After leaving Manowar, Friedman continued his involvement in the music industry. He played with several groups, including Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom and The Brain Surgeons, while simultaneously directing his personal Ross the Boss Band. He rejoined The Dictators for two more periods and kept making records, putting out his latest solo record, “Born of Fire,” in 2020.
When Friedman made public his ALS diagnosis in February, his publicist described how the symptoms had emerged slowly. “The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs,” the statement noted. Doctors initially suspected minor strokes, but changes in diet, exercise, and physical therapy failed to slow the disease’s progression.
A GoFundMe fundraiser created to help with Friedman’s healthcare expenses collected more than $38,000 from supporters around the globe. His passing occurred five weeks after actor Eric Dane succumbed to the same disease on February 19.
Friedman had been inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside his Manowar bandmates. The institution released a memorial describing him as their “Global Metal Ambassador” to the world, adding that “his impact on music is immeasurable — from the raw energy of early punk to the epic scale of heavy metal, his work left a lasting mark on the genre.”
Other guitar players offered remembrances on social networking platforms. Testament’s Alex Skolnick wrote on Instagram: “Farewell Long Island legend Ross The Boss, who, in a very rare combination, brought tasty licks to both ’70s punk and ’80s bombastic metal, with The Dictators and Manowar.”
Friedman’s Instagram statement concluded with gratitude for his supporters: “His legacy with The Dictators, Manowar, Ross the Boss Band and other collaborations will live on forever in our hearts and ears.”
