‘I love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ songwriter Alan Merrill dies of coronavirus, aged 69

Singer-songwriter Alan Merrill, who wrote Joan Jett’s signature hit ‘I love Rock ‘n’ Roll’, has died at the age of 69 after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The coronavirus took my father this morning,” his daughter Laura Merrill wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. “I was given two 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 originally recorded the hit song while he was a member of the band Arrows, who released the track in 1975. However, it became hugely popular after being covered by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Jett led tributes to Merrill, writing on Twitter, “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. 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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— Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (@joanjett) March 29, 2020

“We all love Rock & Roll – R.I.P. #AlanMerrill Thanks you for a great anthem,” one fan wrote. 

While another added: “Had the pleasure of meeting Alan a few years ago and seeing him perform. A lovely, gracious and kind man, super artist. God bless you.”

Merrill was also a member of Meat Loaf’s band for four years. The singer posted an emotional tribute on Facebook.

“I am very very sad right now as I start to write this,” he wrote. “Alan was a member of our band for four years. He was such a great human being and a very talented one. He passed away yesterday from the coronavirus. I am really sad. I have not kept in touch with Alan and that makes me feel even worse. Let this be a lesson to all of us, try to stay in touch with the people you really love and care about. Life is very short.

“Alan I am sorry that I didn’t reach out to you years ago. I love you very much. Ok, everyone find the song that Alan and Joan Jett wrote ‘I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL’ play it loud, and celebrate the life of Alan Merrill. Then say a prayer for Alan and the world.”