![Manowar's founding guitarist, Ross Friedman, diagnosed with ALS.]](https://backingtracksfullcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Manowars-founding-guitarist-Ross-Friedman-diagnosed-with-ALS-758x426.jpg "Manowar's founding guitarist, Ross Friedman, diagnosed with ALS.] 1")
Manowar’s founding guitarist Ross “The Boss” Friedman has been diagnosed with ALS.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which leads to motor neuron death, muscle atrophy, and weakness.
Friedman’s own diagnosis came following several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and knees.
“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,” says Friedman. “I’m absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all.”
Friedman co-founded The Dictators in 1973, and seven years later founded Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio. Across his career, he’s also played in Death Dealer, The Spinatras and The Brain Surgeons, among others, injecting each group with his singular rapid-fire, melody-first guitar style.
