Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a serious, progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It leads to gradual muscle weakness, atrophy and paralysis of the whole body, while cognitive functions are usually preserved.
“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Ross The Boss Friedman following his recently announced diagnosis of ALS. Music was Ross’ life and he left his mark on both heavy metal and punk rock. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans everywhere. Rest in peace, Ross,” Manowar’s Facebook post reads.
“It’s hard to know what’s coming and it’s crushing not being able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong,” Ross The Boss said in a February statement, according to Loudwire.com. “I am completely overwhelmed by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all.”
Ross The Boss was born on January 3, 1954 in the New York Bronx as Ross Friedman. He first played in the band Total Crudd and in 1973 founded the punk rock group The Dictators with Andy Shernoff in New Paltz, New York.
After recording three albums with her, he went to France and worked in Fabienne Shine’s Shakin’ Street band for a year. On the Heaven and Hell tour of the Black Sabbath group in 1980, on which Shakin’ Street played the opening act, he met bassist Joey DeMaio.
In 1980, they founded the band Manowar together, with which Ross The Boss recorded six albums. Then DeMaio asked him to leave the lineup in 1989.
He subsequently appeared in the bands Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom, Heyday, The Hellacopters, Majesty, Burning Starr and in his own band, which he called simply Ross The Boss. In July 2005, he joined Manowar on stage at the German Earthshaker festival.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of History for his contribution to speed metal during his time in Manowar.
