The hardest rocking band of New York's burgeoning punk scene, The Dictators formed in 1972 around Ross "Ross the Boss" Friedman and Scott Kempner (guitars), Andy Shernoff (bass, vocals) and Stu Boy King (drums), welcoming singer Richard "Dick" Manitoba for a landmark debut album, Go Girl Crazy! released on Epic Records in 1975. Sharing manager Sandy Pearlman with Blue Öyster Cult, the band became a CBGB club staple, distinguishing themselves by the humor of their lyrics, rather than rebellion. Signed to Asylum Records, they recorded the albums Manifest Destiny (1977) and Bloodbrothers (1978), despite a few changes in musicians. Following the departure of new bassist Mark Mendoza to Twisted Sister, the band, in search of greater success, eventually split up. Ross Friedman founded Manowar in 1982 and produced Anthrax, while Andy Shernoff moved into production and Richard Manitoba became a cab driver, when the ROIR label released a live album from 1981. Andy Shernoff's 1990 production of Ross Friedman and Richard Manitoba's new band album, Wild Kingdom, led to the re-formation of The Dictators in 1995 and a new studio album, D.F.F.D., released in 2001. Ross Friedman, Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner, who continue to play together through various projects, recruit singer/guitarist Keith Ross and drummer Albert Bouchard (ex-Blue Öyster Cult) for the sessions on the new album The Dictators, released in 2024. Illness forced Scott Kempner to give up his duties with the band, before dying of dementia on November 29, 2023, at the age of 69. On March 26, 2026, iconic guitarist Ross Friedman, suffering from neurodegenerative disease, dies at the age of 72.
