Ross the Boss of The Dictators and Manowar

Ross the Boss of The Dictators and Manowar

Author: Roger Wink August 11, 2017 Duration: 22:23

Ross the Boss Friedman has been a mainstay of the music business for over forty years. In 1973, he was a founding member of the punk icons The Dictators and, in 1980, he started the hard rock band Manowar. Plus, he's been involved in recordings for a wide variety of other artists over the years. 

We talk with Ross on the forming of both bands, his work with Bruce Springsteen, how he managed to get Orson Welles on two Manowar albums, his work ethic and his induction into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. 


Hosted by Roger Wink, The VVN Music Interviews is a conversation series dedicated to the seasoned voices that have shaped our soundtracks for decades. This podcast focuses squarely on veteran musicians-those artists across pop, rock, R&B, soul, country, folk, and blues with twenty years or more of recording history. Each episode is built around a long-form interview, offering a deep dive into the careers, creative processes, and personal reflections of these established figures. You’ll hear stories from the road, insights into the evolution of genres, and perspectives that only come from a lifetime in the industry. While the core of the show is dialogue, brief musical excerpts-always under thirty seconds and used for editorial context under fair use-illustrate the discussion, letting you recall the specific sounds and styles that define each guest's work. It’s a space for thoughtful exchange rather than promotional chatter, aiming to connect the dots between an artist's past achievements and their current place in the musical landscape. For anyone curious about the people behind the enduring records, this podcast provides a direct line to their experiences and wisdom, all through Roger’s engaged and knowledgeable questioning. The tone is more like a series of candid, in-depth conversations than a formal interview program, prioritizing substance and legacy over fleeting trends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

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