Ross ‘the Boss’ Friedman dead at 72: The Dictators and Manowar guitarist was diagnosed with ALS weeks ago

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Ross Friedman, the celebrated rock guitarist and known as ‘Ross the Boss’ to his fans, has passed away at 72, just weeks after being diagnosed with ALS.

Andy Friedman was a key figure in the early New York City punk scene, co-founding the band The Dictators in 1973 as their guitarist.

In 1980, while on tour with Black Sabbath, he met bassist Joey DiMaio, and together they formed the heavy metal band Manowar.

Last month, Friedman publicly shared the heartbreaking news that he has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

This rare and currently untreatable disease gradually damages the nervous system, leading to increasing muscle weakness and paralysis.

Friedman passed away the night before, according to a statement on his Instagram page released Friday.

I was heartbroken to read that his music was his everything, and his guitar was truly his life’s breath. It was just devastating to learn this terrible disease took all of that away from him.

On February 9th, Friedman publicly shared his diagnosis of ALS. This announcement came just ten days before Eric Dane, known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy, sadly passed away from the disease.

He admitted it’s hard to predict the future and he’s really upset about not being able to play guitar, but he’s been incredibly touched by all the support he’s received.

Friedman expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming love and support he’s received from his family, friends, and fans, saying he loves them all, as reported by Blabbermouth.

His publicist announced that doctors recently diagnosed him after he experienced a variety of symptoms, like weakness in his hands and legs, over several months.

Initially, doctors believed a few small strokes were responsible for his condition. However, despite improvements to his diet, exercise routine, and the addition of physical therapy, his health continued to decline and he didn’t regain any strength.

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2026-03-29 05:48