Mar 28
RIP Ross Friedman
January 3, 1954 – March 26, 2026
seen from Philippines
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Australia
seen from China
seen from Dominican Republic
seen from Singapore
seen from Pakistan
seen from China
seen from France
seen from China
seen from France
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from Poland
RIP Ross Friedman
January 3, 1954 – March 26, 2026
Ross the Boss
MANOWAR (1980 - present) | METAL HAMMER, November 1988.
Ross Friedman (born January 3, 1954), also known as Ross the Boss, is a #guitarist, known as a founding #member of both the #punk #band The Dictators, and the #heavy #metal #band Manowar.
Friedman formed the New York-based punk rock band the Dictators with Andy Shernoff in New Paltz, New York in 1973. Prior to this, Friedman had played in a local band, Total Crudd. After recording three albums with the Dictators, Friedman went to France and worked for one year in Fabienne Shine’s band Shakin’ Street. On Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell tour in 1980 (on which Shakin’ Street were the support act), Friedman was introduced to bass player Joey DeMaio by Ronnie James Dio. Later in 1980, Friedman and DeMaio formed Manowar, with whom he recorded six albums before DeMaio asked him to leave the band after the 1988 album Kings of Metal.[2]
On January 18, 2017 Ross was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History for his contributions to Speed Metal while in Manowar[9]
https://youtu.be/z1fVo8amMHU
Wednesday, September 20: Ross the Boss, “Kingdom Arise”
The only surprising thing about New Metal Leader was that it took about 20 years for Ross “the Boss” Friedman to put out something under his own name. But while it didn’t sound exactly like Manowar, both New Metal Leader and Hailstorm were full of stout and full-bodied American power metal punctuated by Friedman’s mountainous riffing. “Kingdom Arise” was a highlight from Hailstorm, roaring with a conviction worthy of the Ross the Boss name, with Friedman himself and vocalist Patrick Fuchs standing out in particular. Even with so many newer outfits trying to recall the look and sound of ‘80s metal and thrash, “Kingdom Arise” offered proof positive that it was the veterans of the scene who still knew how to not only get it right, but could deliver thick and crunching traditional heavy metal without any pretense.
Monday, July 3: Death Dealer, “Corruption of Blood”
Hallowed Ground might be the best thing Ross “the Boss” Friedman recorded since before he left Manowar all the way back in 1988. In fairness, Death Dealer’s second effort was very much a band effort, and tunes like “Corruption of Blood” were fully robust traditional metal, with Sean Peck’s vocals being a particular highlight. Peck had already made a name for himself on his albums with Cage, and he gave the song and band a nice Jag Panzer feel: he’s a ringer for Harry “the Tyrant” Conklin, and “Corruption of Blood” had the same stout power metal feel that drove Jag Panzer’s best work. But while Peck and Friedman were the marquee names in Death Dealer, the song showcased the full strength of the entire band, as Steve Bolognese’s drumming gave the tune momentum while Halford bassist Mike Davis ably held down the bottom end. “Corruption of Blood” was primal and energetic in fine American power metal tradition, and positioned Death Dealer as a band more than ready to hold their own.
This news hurts.
Ross the Boss was an extraordinary guitarist and a genuinely lovely person—always approachable and kind to his fans.
I still can’t quite believe it.
2026 is relentless. Rest in Power! 💗