Alan Merrill, who was the co-writer and original singer of the hit song “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” has died of complications from the coronavirus.

The new of Merrill’s death was announced by his daughter Laura Merrill on social media. Merrill, 69, died at a New York City hospital on Sunday, according to Laura.

“The Coronavirus took my father this morning,” she wrote on Facebook. “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 … By the time I got in the doors to my apartment I received the news that he was gone.”

“I had just photographed his portrait for his new album. Texted with him earlier. He played down the ‘cold’ he thought he had,” she added. “I’ve made a million jokes about the ‘Rona’ and how it’ll ‘getcha’…boy do I feel stupid. If anything can come of this I beg of you to take this seriously. Money doesn’t matter.”

Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer Joan Jett recorded “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” in 1982. The song became her biggest hit and topped the U.S. charts for eight weeks.

In a post on Twitter, Jett said her thoughts and love go to Merrill’s family, friends and the 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,” Jett said. “With deep gratitude and sadness, wishing him a safe journey to the other side.”

Known as a vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, actor and model, Merrill founded the rock band The Arrows. In the early 1970s, Merrill was the first Westerner to achieve pop star status in Japan.

Source: RTT Music News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJxI2AG6vIA