THE SMITHEREENS MOURN THE LOSS OF THE DICTATORS "ROSS THE BOSS"

The Smithereens are very saddened about the passing of Ross “The Boss” Friedman, founding member of The Dictators, who passed away Thursday night after battling ALS. 1/3/54-3/26/26.

Dennis Diken: “Mike Mesaros first turned Jimmy & me onto these geniuses when he discovered Go Girl Crazy in ‘75 at his college radio station. The inner sleeve pictured them at White Castle so we immediately figured they were our kinda guys. Songs like “Two Tub Man,” “Weekend” and “The Next Big Thing” kicked our asses when we first caught the band at Club 82 on E. 4th St. in NYC in ‘76. We became pals with them and regularly caught their shows at CBGB and cheered them on at their triumphant ‘77 Palladium NYC headlining date (opening act AC/DC made their debut US that night.) Mike later fulfilled a dream when Scott Kempner brought him in to be the bassist in Dion Dimucci’s band Little Kings.

Ross was a mesmerizing player and the band was a solid, rocking locomotive. Their power, sense of fun & musicianship was a huge inspiration to us then and we will forever hold them as rock gods. We’ll miss you, Ross. Please high five Stu Boy, Rich Teeter, and Top Ten for us up there.”