DawnOwaR: 3/28/2026 11:24 AM

My socials are just post after post after post about Ross. People who knew him, Fans, Famous guitar players, not so famous guitar players, bands everyone knows, bands I never heard of.

He wasn't even on the internet when I started working for him. There was one Wikipedia entry full of wrong information and that was it. He had said to me he was gonna have to die first. Before he got recognized for all he did. I came along after quitting Manowar and I put him online in 2005. Let the Manowar fans know where he was and what he was doing.

He kept on working. Never stopped. Played in all his bands and guested with anyone who asked. Kept making records and touring constantly and he never stopped.

Once us fans realized Ross wasn't laying low because he wanted to, once ROSS realized that the fans were just leaving him alone because we thought we were being respectful... That’s when he started playing Manowar songs again and thats when he started booking festivals and getting the attention he deserved. In the last 20 years, he managed to not fade away.

His ALS diagnosis was crushing, but he got to see all this support. He got to see himself on all the Metal sites. He got to see all his friends donate to his gofundme and send him messages of love. He didn't have to die first.

RIP Ross The Boss.
I will miss you so much.

Ross The Boss Reveals ALS Diagnosis

2/9/2026

Ross "The Boss" Friedman, a founding member of both MANOWAR and THE DICTATORS, whose influence in heavy metal and punk is noticeable to this day, has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

A statement from Ross's publicist reads as follows: "Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, founding member of punk rock legends THE DICTATORS and heavy metal stalwarts MANOWAR, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs. A series of very minor strokes was initially thought to have been the cause, but changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength."

The 72-year-old Friedman added in his own statement: "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. I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all."

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