Ross “The Boss” Friedman, miembro fundador de MANOWAR y THE DICTATORS, cuya influencia en el heavy metal y el punk perdura hasta hoy, falleció a los 72 años. Su muerte se produce poco más de un mes después de que se anunciara su diagnóstico de ELA, también conocida como enfermedad de Lou Gehrig. La noticia del fallecimiento de Friedman se compartió a través de un comunicado en las redes sociales de Metal Hall of Fame.
Este es el comunicado:
«Con profunda tristeza confirmamos el fallecimiento del legendario guitarrista, nuestro querido amigo y miembro del Salón de la Fama del Metal, Ross “The Boss” Friedman.
Ross fue una figura pionera tanto en el punk como en el heavy metal, conocido principalmente por ser miembro fundador de THE DICTATORS y MANOWAR.
Ross siempre será el ‘Embajador Global del Metal’ del Salón de la Fama del Metal. Su potente forma de tocar, su inconfundible sonido y su espíritu inquebrantable contribuyeron a forjar generaciones de músicos y fans en todo el mundo.
A principios de este año, Ross hizo público su diagnóstico de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA), enfrentándolo con la misma valentía y honestidad que definieron su vida y su carrera.
El impacto de Ross en la música es incalculable. Desde la energía cruda del punk primigenio hasta la magnitud épica del heavy metal, su obra dejó una huella imborrable en el género y en todos los que la disfrutaron.
Más allá de sus logros en el escenario y en el estudio, Ross era profundamente respetado por sus colegas y querido por sus fans en todos los continentes. Su legado perdurará a través de su música, su influencia y las innumerables vidas que tocó.
Extendemos nuestras más sentidas condolencias a su familia, amigos, compañeros de banda y fans de todo el mundo en estos momentos difíciles.
Se compartirán más detalles a medida que estén disponibles».
Mat Sinner:
ResponderEliminarTo lose another good friend is too much in these days. Rest In Peace dear Ross, deep sadness, just emptiness 😪
Thank you for the music and the friendship 💔
Keep It True Festival:
ResponderEliminarThis morning I got the tragic news of the passing of my great friend Ross Friedman
After the announcement he got ALS i feared the worst, but did not think the end would come so fast. I am still in deep shock!
I was a Die Hard Manowar Fan since the mid 80s, I saw and adored him since my first show in 1986. I went to every tour since then...
I got to meet him in person for the first time at the Earthshaker festival in 2005 and we became friends. I introduced him to Majesty and Tarek Maghary and also Atlantean Kodex for whom he recorded a solo and me some backing vocals. I helped creating his first solo band with Matze Mayer , Carsten Kettering and Patrick Fuchs. It was his rebirth, the shows were exciting and I am still so happy I could convince him going back to his Manowar days.
He even headlined my 40th birthday party together with Oliver Barth and Powerwolf.
In 2016 we celebrated his 2nd comeback with one of the best shows at KEEP IT TRUE Festival ever when he was the surprise guest with the unbelievable great Mike Cotoia on vocals. We did two fabulous gigs in this line up together that wrote Metal History.
Since we first met we had a deal...no politics as we were the complete opposite to each other there, but we were comrades, brother and friends in every musical aspect.
Ross' playing was unique. Rooted in Blues and Rock 'n' Roll, he created Epic Metal together with his Ying/Yang partner Joey DeMaio. These immortal hymns will live forever and will sound in Valhallas great hall.
A monumental musician left our scene and cannot be replaced, but we can cherish this music forever. We will do that at KIT in April.
Farewell over the rainbow bridge my friend, my heart is broken.
Stu Marshall:
ResponderEliminarAs many of you know, yesterday we lost a great man, Ross "The Boss" Friedman.
I can only begin to express how I feel with the Manowar lyric: “Valhalla, the gods await me. Open wide thy gates, embrace me.”
Ross’ legacy is enormous. He was a kind-hearted man who truly loved his fans and never tired of hearing how his music had impacted people throughout his career. I saw firsthand how much time, energy, and soul he gave to music over the 15 years I worked with him.
There are countless stories that will never be told about his road-warrior spirit and unwavering dedication to the guitar.
He was endlessly patient with me, even when I asked for the millionth time about deep cut Manowar stories. He was a huge influence on me, not just as a guitarist, but as a person.
Hearing his playing for the first time at age 13 lit a guitar fire in me that has never gone out, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Manowar and his playing is etched in the very fabric if my being.
During the Death Dealer years, we were roommates, and in many ways there was a strong paternal presence that I deeply valued.
The greatest personal thrill of all was performing live, shoulder to shoulder with Ross.
Watching him up close was like a lifetime masterclass in musical expression where every note carried emotion. With time and experience, I learned never to take those moments for granted. More than once, I was overwhelmed on stage, metal tears and all, thinking, is this really happening? And somehow, it was.
These photos signal the first time we hung out and the final time we played on stage together.
There will never be another Ross the Boss. A true original. A titan. An immortal.
Miss you, mate.
RUNNING WILD:
ResponderEliminarWith great shock and heavy hearts, we received the devastating news of Ross’s passing.
A true legend has left the stage, but his music and spirit will live on forever.
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his legacy.
Rest in power.
DEATH DEALER:
ResponderEliminarWe were blessed to have shared the stage and some time from our lives together with Ross. No one embodied what Rock and Roll was more than him PERIOD. Divine Melodies flowed from the ether through him and his guitar as if by magic. He was one of a kind and everyone that he encountered was elevated by the experience. Ross we will see you again in hallowed halls of Valhalla at Heaven's highest mountain peak where we will Rock harder than ever before. Hail and kill mighty one.
MANOWAR:
ResponderEliminarIt is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ross "The Boss" Friedman, following his recently announced ALS diagnosis.
Music was Ross's life, and he left his mark across both heavy metal and punk rock.
Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans everywhere.
Rest in peace, Ross.
SILVER TALON:
ResponderEliminarJust heard the terrible news about ROSS THE BOSS. RIP to an absolute legend of punk rock and heavy metal. The Dictators were one of the first real punk bands I got into, and I have fond memories of listening to them back in high school. Never got a chance to meet him, but he and @deanrispler were super supportive and spun A LOT of Talon tracks during the GimmeMetal heyday. Rest in Power Ross!
SAVAGED MASTER:
ResponderEliminarRest in Peace to the absolute legend. Ross the Boss.
André Hilgers:
ResponderEliminarIt was an honor to have met Ross the Boss a truly kind and genuine person.
Your music with Manowar will live on forever.
In our eyes you’re immortal, in our hearts you’ll live forever 🦅
Rest in power. 🤘
Tony 'The Demolition Man' Dolan:
ResponderEliminarSometimes words aren’t enough!! 😖
Robin McAuley:
ResponderEliminarSo sad!!! R.I.P. Ross The Boss!!! ⭐️🙏🏻⭐️
MIDNITE HELLION:
ResponderEliminarThis one cuts deep - Rest In Peace, Ross "The Boss" Friedman. Aside from being a great contributor in the world of heavy music, he was a fixture in the NYC region. It was not uncommon to run into him at shows, and it always was a pleasure sharing the stage with him over the years.
Condolences to all of his family and friends. Til Valhalla.
CATHALEPSY:
ResponderEliminarVery sad news. I had the honor of working with him in the Cathalepsy album, on the song "Hammer Heart" (orchestral version), in which he plays the entire guitar solo in his characteristic style.
A great guitarist, founder of one of the greatest metal bands, a great person, and very close to his fans. A true metal legend.
Rest in Power.
JAG PANZER:
ResponderEliminarRest in Peace Ross the Boss.
Jag Panzer guitarist Mark Briody comments “Since the first chords on Battle Hymns, I became a huge fan of Ross. His playing and writing helped shaped who I am as a musician. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ross in person, but we would speak online. I always enjoyed those conversations and looked forward to them. Rest in Peace Ross”
CRYSTAL VIPER:
ResponderEliminarROSS THE BOSS - REST IN POWER. We toured together, we recorded together, we laughed together. But first of all, he was a true inspiration, and a great friend. Thank you for everything, Ross.
TRIUMPHER:
ResponderEliminarFarewell Ross Friedman.
The Golden Halls of Valhalla awaiting your arrival.
ATLANTEAN KODEX:
ResponderEliminarRest in peace, Ross The Boss.
Whenever and wherever we march
Your Sword Rides With Us.
Sean Elg:
ResponderEliminarI’m honored I got to spend as much time with Ross as I did, he was a kind hearted person who loved his friends and family! His attitude towards music and metal was inspiring and I’m glad I got to perform with him on numerous occasions, rest easy my friend… the metal gods will take care of you now! 🤘🏻❤️💔
RAVEN:
ResponderEliminarGonna miss you brother…
Tim "Ripper" Owens:
ResponderEliminarRIP Ross the Boss Ross Friedman Ross Friedman. We are all gonna miss you buddy 💔
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of the Bronx’ own Ross “The Boss,” Friedman who died last night after battling ALS.
A legendary guitarist and beloved father, his music and spirit impacted fans around the world as much as you impacted him. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support you all have shown throughout his career and especially these last few months.
His music meant everything to him & his guitar was his life's breath. This insidious disease took that away from him.
His legacy with The Dictators, Manowar, Ross the Boss Band and other collabs will live on forever in our hearts and ears.