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.
