Alan Merrill, who co-wrote the hit “I Love Rock ‘n ‘Roll, has died from the coronavirus.
“The Coronavirus took my father this morning," his daughter Laura Merrill, wrote on Facebook yesterday. "I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out. He seemed peaceful and as I left was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen.”
She noted, “By the time I got in the doors to my apartment I received the news that he was gone," adding, "People are dying. You don’t think It’ll happen to you or your strong family. It has. Stay home if not for you...for others. For my dad. This thing is real.”
- Merrill formed the band Arrows in 1974 with drummer Paul Varleyand guitarist Jake Hooker. He wrote “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” in 1975 and it was later recorded by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, who took it to number one in 1982.
Here is the original version by Arrows. (courtesy of YouTube)
“I've just learned of the awful news that Alan Merrill has passed. My thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole,” Joan shared on Instagram. “I can still remember watching the Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me. With deep gratitude and sadness, wishing him a safe journey to the other side."