The foundational punk and heavy metal guitarist, who had recently been diagnosed with ALS, has died.
Ross Friedman, the guitarist known as Ross the Boss, has died at age 72. His passing was confirmed by his former bandmates. He had publicly disclosed a diagnosis of ALS earlier this year.
Friedman was a foundational figure in two distinct musical movements. As a founding member of The Dictators, his playing helped blueprint the American punk sound that emerged from New York in the mid-1970s. The band’s 1975 debut, “Go Girl Crazy!”, remains a cult classic for its raw, brash attitude.
He later co-founded the epic heavy metal band Manowar, where his powerful riffing defined their early, influential albums like “Battle Hymns” (1982) and “Into Glory Ride” (1983). His work there cemented a reputation for muscular, melodic guitar work that appealed to a different, but equally devoted, audience.
His career reflected a rare breadth, moving from proto-punk to sword-and-sorcery metal without losing his distinctive musical signature. Friedman’s playing connected two seemingly disparate scenes, leaving a mark on each.
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ROMBO Editorial Staff
The collective voice behind ROMBO Magazine’s news, reviews, features, and cultural coverage.
