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Alan Merrill, co-writer of I Love Rock And Roll has died from COVID-19

The former Arrows frontman dies at 69.

Alan Merrill Portrait Shot

Photo: Neil H. Kitson / Redferns

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Musician Alan Merrill has died at age 69 due to complications from COVID-19. The former Arrows frontman is best known for co-writing I Love Rock And Roll, which would later become Joan Jett’s signature song.

News of Merrill’s death was first reported by his daughter, who shared over Facebook: “the Coronavirus took my father this morning. I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out” she added that “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”.

At the end of her statement, she urges people to take the pandemic seriously, saying “Please stay safe. No one is immune to this and it is very real”

The full post here:

Joan Jett has also shared a statement over social media regarding Merrill’s passing. She reminisces: “I can still remember watching The Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me.” she continues, “with deep gratitude and sadness, wishing him a safe journey to the other side”. Read her full Facebook post below:

Outside of his career in the US, Merrill was also well-known in Japan, writing and performing with The Lead, and later as a solo artist. The two albums which he performed in Japanese have yielded two No. 1 hits and he has been known to appear frequently on television.

COVID-19 has also recently claimed the life of country legend Joe Diffie. He died at age 61.

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