Alan Merrill | |
|---|---|
 Merrill in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Allan Preston Sachs |
| Born | February 19, 1951 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 29, 2020 (aged 69) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Glam rock, pop, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards. harmonica |
| Years active | 1968–2020 |
| Labels | RCA, RAK, Atlantic, Polydor, Toshiba-EMI, Denon/Columbia |
| Formerly of | Arrows, The Lead, Vodka Collins, Runner |
| Website | Official website |
Alan Merrill (born Allan Preston Sachs; February 19, 1951 – March 29, 2020) was an American vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. In the early 1970s, he was one of the few resident foreigners in Japan to achieve pop star status there. He wrote the song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll",[1] and was the lead singer on the original recording of it, made by the band the Arrows in 1975.[2] The song became a breakthrough hit for Joan Jett in 1982.
Merrill was primarily a vocalist and songwriter, but also played the guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, and keyboards.[3] He died during the COVID-19 pandemic due to complications brought on by the virus.
- ^ "Edgy Edgy Edgy — Fascinating interview with Alan Merrill, lead..." Edgy Edgy Edgy. January 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ "Outsight Radio Hours interview, February 12, 2012". Archive.org. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ^ "Alan Merrill profile". AllMusic.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.