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American writer of rock anthem ‘I Love Rock N Roll’, Alan Merrill, dies of Covid-19

By Tara Rippin • Published: 30 Mar 2020 • 17:15

Alan Merrill, the American rock musician who penned iconic rock anthem, I Love Rock N Roll, has died of coronavirus aged 69.

HIS death was announced by daughter, Laura Merrill, on Facebook yesterday, saying, “the coronavirus took my father this morning.”

She wrote: “As thick as thieves daddy. You were more than a father… you were one of my best friends,” revealing her added heartbreak at not being able to share her grief with anyone as she has been exposed and is in isolation for a fortnight.

Singer Meat Loaf called Merrill “a great human being” who was “very talented.”

Merrill founded the band Arrows, and co-wrote the Joan Jett household hit, I Love Rock N Roll, with band mate Jake Hooker in 1975. He also played in Meat Loaf’s band for almost five years.

Meat Loaf added on Instagram, “my thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole.”

More than 140,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in America since January 21, with more than 2,500 deaths.

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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