In a heartfelt post on Facebook Alan Merrill’s daughter, Laura announced the tragic news of her 69-year-old father’s death on Sunday, March 29 due to complications from the coronavirus.
Her emotional post said: “The Coronavirus took my father this morning. I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out.” She went on to say that he had downplayed the “cold” he thought he had. She also emphasised the importance of taking the virus seriously saying : “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.
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."
Merril will always be remembered for his floor-shaking rock anthem I Love Rock 'n' Roll, which he co-wrote with Jake Hooker, and which was made famous by Joan Jett. When Jett saw I love Rock ‘n’ Roll performed on TV by their band Arrows in 1976 she was blown away by the song – she turned it into a global hit that is still covered by many artists to this day.
In paying tribute to Merrill Jett said: "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."
— Joan Jett (@joanjett) March 29, 2020
The official Alan Merrill website said of the singer, guitarist, and songwriter: "Alan was always there for the people he loved and his gentle and joyful soul will live on forever across the airwaves in his music."
It will indeed.
