The guitarist Ross The Bossfounder of The Dictators and key member of Manowarhas died at the age of seventy-two after a brief fight against ALS.
The Metal Hall of Fame confirmed the news in a statement. In it, they defined him as “a dear friend, legendary guitarist and global ambassador of metal,” highlighting his enormous legacy in music. The organization highlighted its role in the evolution of punk and heavy metal. It also highlighted his unique sound, his energy on stage and his lasting influence on several generations of musicians. The groups of which he was a part, that is, The Dictators and Manowar, have also issued statements.
For its part, the family confirmed his death in an official message. They described him as “a beloved father and an artist whose spirit reached fans around the world.” In addition, they remembered the harshness of the disease, pointing out that the guitar was their life.
Born in New York in 1954, he began his career in 1973 with The Dictators. With this band he signed key albums such as “Go Girl Crazy!”considered one of the pioneering works of punk rock. Later, he made the definitive leap to heavy metal by joining the golden era of Manowar. There he participated in essential albums such as “Battle Hymns”, “Into Glory Ride” either “Hail to England”which helped define the power metal and to turn the group into one of the biggest names in metal.
He later worked on various projects, including the return of The Dictators, as well as a group adventure under his own name with albums such as “New Metal Leader” (08), “By Blood Sworn” (18) or most recent “Born Of Fire” (20).
