Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, the influential guitarist who helped define both the New York proto-punk scene and the power metal genre, has died at the age of 72. Pat Gesualdo, CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame, confirmed the news on March 27, 2026. Friedman passed away following a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Friedman first rose to fame as a founding member of The Dictators, releasing the 1975 cult classic album Go Girl Crazy!. The band is widely credited by music historians as a major influence on the early punk movement. He later pivoted to heavy metal, co-founding the legendary band Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio. Friedman performed on the band’s first six studio albums, including the seminal 1982 debut Battle Hymns and the 1988 classic Kings of Metal.

Throughout his career, Friedman remained a prolific force in the music industry, leading his own group, Ross the Boss, and participating in numerous reunions. He was officially inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017. "Ross was a legendary guitar player and a great friend," Gesualdo stated in a release to Heavy Consequence. His signature aggressive style and technical precision left an indelible mark on generations of musicians across multiple genres.