Frank Schwichtenberg Creative Commons work
Dictators and Manowar co-founder Ross “The Boss” Freidman has been diagnosed with the debilitating condition, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Ross revealed the diagnosis in a statement on February 9 and after several months of weakness in his hands and legs ,which medical advice originally put down to a series of minor strokes.
“Changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength,” the statement said.
"It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar.
"I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all."
ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual paralysis. It can be manged but not cured.
Ross The Boss, 72, was born in the Bronx and co-founded the Dictators in 1973 with Andy Shernoff and the late Scott Kempner.
He played on all the band’s albums and was a member of the recently reconstituted line-up, as well as the vastly overlooked Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom.
