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 72 years old. The New York-born artist passed away on March 26, only weeks following the public revelation of his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) condition.
Word of Friedman’s passing surfaced 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 virtuoso made public his ALS condition on February 9, detailing the catastrophic effect the progressive illness had on his capacity to perform. “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 five decades 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 pioneering force in New York City’s developing punk movement. The group issued three records throughout their original period—”The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!,” “Manifest Destiny,” and “Bloodbrothers”—receiving widespread praise for their proto-punk style.
Following The Dictators’ original dissolution in 1980, Friedman temporarily became part of French rock group Shakin’ Street, fronted by Fabienne Shine. The ensemble performed as opening act for Black Sabbath on their Heaven and **** tour, an opportunity that would become crucial for Friedman’s subsequent phase. During the tour with Black Sabbath, he encountered bassist Joey DeMaio, who was serving as the band’s bass technician. Ronnie James Dio introduced the two musicians, and together they formed Manowar.
Manowar became identified with grandiose, mythology-influenced heavy metal and extravagant performance clothing. The group’s members donned fur and loincloths, developing a visual identity 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 extremity went past their wardrobe. In 1984, the Guinness Book of World Records named Manowar the loudest band on the planet, solidifying their standing for auditory intensity.
Friedman, frequently observed playing his Gibson SG, performed on Manowar’s initial six studio records, including beloved releases “Battle Hymns,” “Into Glory Ride,” and “Hail To England.” His forceful performance and distinctive sound contributed to shaping the band’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 stayed engaged in the music world. He played with various ventures, including Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom and The Brain Surgeons, while simultaneously fronting his own Ross the Boss Band. He reconnected with The Dictators for two separate periods and kept producing music, issuing his latest solo record, “Born of Fire,” in 2020.
When Friedman made public his ALS diagnosis in February, his publicist detailed the symptoms had emerged progressively. “The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs,” the statement noted. Physicians at first believed minor strokes, but modifications in diet, exercise, and physical therapy failed to slow the disease’s progression.
A GoFundMe campaign created to assist Friedman’s healthcare expenses collected more than $38,000 from supporters across the globe. His passing occurred five weeks after actor Eric Dane succumbed to the same disease on February 19.
Friedman had been honored with induction into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017 together with his Manowar colleagues. 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 media 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.”