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Punk and metal legend Ross “The Boss” Friedman, guitarist and co-founder of the Dictators and Manowar, died at the age of 72.
Friedman’s death on March 26 was announced Friday – just a month after the guitarist revealed he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ross ‘The Boss’ Friedman of the Bronx, who passed away last night after his battle with ALS,” his official social media account wrote. “As a legendary guitarist and beloved father, his music and spirit have touched fans around the world just as you have touched him. We are grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support you have shown him throughout his career and especially in the last few months.”
Punk pioneer from the Bronx
Born in the Bronx, Friedman first came to the fore in the very early days of the New York punk scene, when he formed the Dictators in 1973 with his friends Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. In its original lineup, the band released three albums, including 1977’s notable Manifest Destiny, which made the Billboard 200 album chart.
In 1980, after a stint opening for Black Sabbath with Shakin’ Street, Friedman teamed up with Black Sabbath bass engineer Joey DeMaio to form the heavy metal band Manowar. During his decades-long tenure with the group, Friedman appeared on six Manowar albums, including 1984’s “Hail to England,” which landed at No. 87 on ROLLING STONE’s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.
Manowar, who performed with the slogan “Death to false metal,” once set a Guinness World Record as the loudest band in the world. “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Ross ‘The Boss’ Friedman, who had recently made his ALS diagnosis public,” Manowar said in a statement. “Music was Ross’ life, and he left his mark on both heavy metal and punk rock. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and fans around the world.”
Friedman’s musical legacy
Friedman left Manowar in 1989 and in the following years played with Death Dealer, the Spinatras, the Brain Surgeons and his own Ross the Boss Band, before appearing on stage with the Dictators over the past few decades.
“His music meant everything to him, and his guitar was the breath of his life. This insidious disease took that away from him,” the statement continued on his social media account. “His legacy with The Dictators, Manowar, Ross the Boss Band and other collaborations will live on in our hearts and ears forever.”
