Ross "The Boss" Friedman, the 72-year-old guitarist and founding member of both THE DICTATORS and MANOWAR, has announced that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. "It's 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," Friedman said in a deeply personal statement shared across his social media channels.
According to his publicist, Friedman had been experiencing progressive weakness in his hands and legs for several months, initially attributing the symptoms to minor strokes. Changes in diet, exercise regimens, and extensive physical therapy did nothing to slow the deterioration, ultimately leading to the devastating ALS diagnosis. The disease, which attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement, currently has no cure.
Friedman's legacy in heavy metal is immeasurable. As a co-founder of MANOWAR in 1980 alongside bassist Joey DeMaio, he helped forge the blueprint for epic heavy metal with landmark albums such as "Battle Hymns" (1982), "Hail to England" (1984), and "Sign of the Hammer" (1984). His thunderous riffing and melodic lead work defined the band's sound during their most iconic era. Before MANOWAR, Friedman was already a force in New York's punk and proto-metal scene as a founding member of THE DICTATORS, whose 1975 debut "Go Girl Crazy!" is considered a cornerstone of American punk rock.
After departing MANOWAR in 1988, Friedman continued to perform and record prolifically. He launched a successful solo career under the ROSS THE BOSS banner, releasing four studio albums through AFM Records, the most recent being "Born of Fire" in 2020. His live shows frequently featured MANOWAR classics performed with the same fire and intensity that defined the originals. As recently as May 2025, Friedman was performing MANOWAR's "Sign of the Hammer" album in its entirety on an Australian tour alongside Dirk Schlachter of GAMMA RAY and former MANOWAR drummer Rhino.
The metal community has rallied behind the legendary guitarist with an outpouring of support. MANOWAR themselves issued a statement acknowledging their founding brother's battle. Fellow musicians from across the heavy metal spectrum have shared tributes, memories, and messages of solidarity. A GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical expenses has already surpassed its initial goal, demonstrating the deep affection fans and peers hold for one of heavy metal's true originals.