Manowar have responded to the announcement that the band’s founding guitarist, Ross Friedman — better known as Ross “The Boss” — has been diagnosed with ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Earlier today, on Tuesday, February 10, Manowar issued the following statement on social media:
“We heard the terrible news about Ross‘s diagnosis of ALS. We are deeply saddened and are sending him and his family lots of strength during this difficult time.”
A statement issued by Friedman’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.”
Ross also issued 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.”
Friedman played on Manowar‘s first six albums, including influential releases like Battle Hymns, Into Glory Ride, and Hail To England, before his departure after 1988’s Kings Of Metal.
Ross was a key early figure in both punk rock and heavy metal, first making his mark with The Dictators in the mid-1970s, whose debut Go Girl Crazy! predated releases by Ramones, The Clash, and the Sex Pistols. He later bridged punk and metal with Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom, worked with bands such as The Hellacopters and The Spinatrats, reunited with The Dictators in the late 1990s, teamed up with Blue Öyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard in Brain Surgeons, and ultimately shifted his focus toward metal through projects like Death Dealer and his solo band, Ross The Boss.
