Manowar’s Ross ‘the Boss’ Friedman Diagnosed With ALS

Punk and metal great Ross “the Boss” Friedman has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Friedman, co-founder of the Dictators and Manowar, revealed the diagnosis Monday, Feb. 9. “It’s difficult to know what lies ahead,” he said, “and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong. I’m absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all.”

According to an accompanying statement, Friedman was diagnosed after several months of “seemingly unrelated symptoms,” such as weakness in his hands and legs. Originally, Friedman thought these had been caused by a “series of very minor strokes,” but “changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength.” 

Friedman, born in the Bronx, cut his teeth in the very early days of New York’s punk scene, co-founding the Dictators in 1973 with his friends Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. During their original run, the group released a trio of albums, most notably 1977’s Manifest Destiny, which managed to crack the Billboard 200 Albums chart. 

For his next act, Friedman and bassist Joey DeMaio co-founded the heavy metal band Manowar, who embraced the slogan, “Death to false metal” and once set a Guinness World Record for the loudest band in the world. Friedman played with Manowar throughout the Eighties, during which they released six records, including 1984’s Hail to England, which landed at Number 87 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.

After Manowar, Friedman played in a variety of groups, including his own outfit, Ross the Boss Band. He also worked with the French group Shakin’ Street, as well as Death Dealer, the Spinatras, and the Brain Surgeons. He was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017.