Ross The Boss

Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, Founding Guitarist of Manowar and The Dictators, Dead at 72

Ross “The Boss” Friedman — guitarist, co-founder of Manowar and a pioneer of both punk rock and heavy metal — died on March 26, 2026, following a rapid battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 72. The Metal Hall of Fame, which inducted Friedman in 2017, confirmed the news via a statement on social media.

Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1954, Friedman co-founded proto-punk outfit The Dictators in 1973. Their debut album “Go Girl Crazy!” arrived a full year before the Ramones' debut and two years ahead of The Clash and the Sex Pistols. After the group temporarily dissolved, he met bassist Joey DeMaio backstage at a Black Sabbath show in 1980, and together they formed Manowar. Friedman recorded six studio albums with the band — including “Battle Hymns” (1982), “Into Glory Ride” (1983) and “Hail To England” (1984) — helping establish power metal as a genre before departing after “Kings Of Metal” in 1988.

His ALS diagnosis was made public on February 9, 2026, after months of unexplained weakness in his hands and legs. In a personal statement, Friedman wrote: “It crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong. I love you all.” A fundraising campaign to assist with medical costs drew widespread support across the metal community.

The Metal Hall of Fame hailed him as its “Global Metal Ambassador” and acknowledged that his playing helped shape generations of musicians worldwide. Manowar released a brief statement: “Music was Ross’s life, and he left his mark across both heavy metal and punk rock. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans everywhere. Rest in peace, Ross.”