It was revealed today that Ross “The Boss” Friedman, founding member of punk rock legends The Dictators and heavy metal stalwarts Manowar, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig Disease.
The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs. A series of very minor strokes was initially thought to have been the cause, but changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength.
In a statement, Ross said, “It is difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong.absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you.”
Ross co-founded The Dictators in 1973 with friends Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. In 1980 Ross started the heavy metal band, Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio. He has played in several notable bands through the years, including his own Ross The Boss Band, the French band Shakin Street as well as Death Dealer, The Spinatras and The Brain Surgeons, among others. He has put his signature rapid-fire, melodic guitar riffs on dozens of albums and collaborations. He was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017.
4 Responses
Gutted; no other word for it…first heard Ross via Manowar’s debut Battle Hymns; definite Top 5 debuts of any genre and still one of my favorite albums ever…sending Positive True Metal vibes to Ross…Hail & Fight On Brother!
Saw Manowar at ‘The Factory’ on Staten Island…….and remember thinking how OLD they were. (They weren’t)Pretty sure my hearing loss has nothing to do with firing tank rounds, and everything to do with Manowar, Accept and some other TOO loud very fun bands we saw back then.
True Story – saw Manowar in 2014 at HOB Houston; they were doing sbout a dozen shows in the states (which for anyone else would be like a 50-Date tour, since they rarely play the US). Entered the venue, had our tix scanned, and something happened that I never experienced before or since – we were handed EAR PLUGS!!! And yes, they were Loud, though I will say they were Loud AND Clear, so no worries; maybe the damndest thing I ever saw at a show.
Manowar is the only band that adheres that strictly to metal music and still makes good music….the musical space they operate in is so narrow, you could barely breathe in it…and they still do it.