The metal legend was diagnosed with ALS last month
Ross “The Boss” Friedman, founding guitarist of heavy metal legends Manowar, has died. Ross was diagnosed with ALS just last month. The news of his passing was confirmed in a statement from the Metal Hall of Fame on social media. He was 72-years old.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of legendary guitarist, our dear friend, Metal Hall of Fame Inductee, and Global Metal Ambassador Ross “The Boss” Friedman. Ross was a pioneering force in both punk and heavy metal, best known as a founding member of The Dictators and Manowar. His powerful playing, unmistakable tone, and uncompromising spirit helped shape generations of musicians and fans around the world. Earlier this year, Ross publicly shared his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), facing it with the same courage and honesty that defined his life and career. Ross’s 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 and on everyone who experienced it. Beyond his achievements on stage and in the studio, Ross was deeply respected by his peers and beloved by fans across continents. His legacy will live on through his music, his influence, and the countless lives he touched. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, bandmates, and fans worldwide during this difficult time. Further details will be shared as they become available.”
– Metal Hall of Fame
Ross “The Boss” Friedman is widely regarded as one of heavy metal’s most distinctive rhythm and lead guitarists, a player whose raw, aggressive style helped define both early punk and epic heavy metal. Born in New York City in 1954, Friedman first made his mark in the mid-1970s as a founding member of The Dictators, a groundbreaking proto-punk band whose fusion of garage rock, hard rock, and irreverent attitude would later influence the burgeoning punk movement. On albums like Go Girl Crazy! (1975) and Manifest Destiny (1977), Friedman’s guitar work combined crunching riffs with a streetwise energy that stood in contrast to the more polished arena rock of the era, helping establish him as a formidable presence in New York’s underground music scene.
Friedman’s career took a dramatic turn in 1980 when he co-founded Manowar alongside bassist Joey DeMaio. With Manowar, he helped pioneer a grandiose, mythologically themed style of heavy metal that emphasized power, speed, and theatricality. As the band’s guitarist during its formative years, Friedman played on a string of influential albums including Battle Hymns (1982), Into Glory Ride (1983), Hail to England (1984), and Sign of the Hammer (1984). His guitar work—marked by galloping rhythms, soaring solos, and a raw, unpolished tone—was central to Manowar’s sound and helped lay the groundwork for what would later be known as power metal. Tracks like “Battle Hymn” and “Blood of My Enemies” showcased his ability to balance melody with sheer force, earning him a devoted following among metal fans worldwide.
After leaving Manowar in 1988, Friedman embarked on a diverse and often unpredictable musical journey that reflected his wide-ranging influences. He formed The Brain Surgeons in the late 1980s, exploring a more experimental and progressive rock direction, and also collaborated with a variety of artists across genres, including punk icon Dee Dee Ramone. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he continued to perform with reformed versions of The Dictators, including Dictators NYC, while maintaining a reputation as a relentless live performer. His work during this period demonstrated his versatility, moving fluidly between punk, hard rock, and metal without losing the aggressive edge that defined his early career.
In the 2010s, Friedman experienced a resurgence in the metal world with the formation of the Ross the Boss Band, through which he revisited and celebrated his Manowar-era material while also releasing new music such as New Metal Leader (2008), Hailstorm (2010), and By Blood Sworn (2018). These records reaffirmed his status as a cult hero in heavy metal, blending classic influences with modern production while retaining the epic, warrior-like spirit that fans associate with his legacy. Beyond recording, he has remained a constant presence on the international touring circuit, performing at major festivals and club shows alike, where his commanding stage presence and no-frills guitar style continue to resonate with audiences.
Over the course of a career spanning five decades, Ross “The Boss” Friedman has carved out a unique place in rock history as a bridge between punk’s rebellious origins and heavy metal’s grand ambitions. His contributions to both The Dictators and Manowar have left a lasting imprint on multiple genres, influencing generations of guitarists with his emphasis on power, authenticity, and attitude. Whether tearing through classic riffs or forging new material, Friedman’s enduring commitment to loud, uncompromising music has ensured his reputation as one of metal’s most respected and enduring figures.