Alan Merrill, the co-writer of “I Love Rock and Roll” that would become a major hit for Joan Jett, has died from complications due to Coronavirus (COVID-19.) He was 69.
Merrill’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Laura, via Facebook who wrote, “The Coronavirus took my father this morning. I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out. He seemed peaceful and as I left there was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right-hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen. I walked 50 blocks home still with hope in my heart. The city that I knew was empty. I felt I was the only person here and perhaps in many ways I was. By the time I got in the doors to my apartment, I received the news that he was gone.”
Merrill co-wrote the song “I Love Rock and Roll” in 1975 when he was in the band The Arrows. Jett would cover the song in 1982.
Upon learning of Merrill’s passing, Jett released a statement saying, “I just learned of the awful news that Alan Merril has passed. My thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole. 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.”
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