Songwriter and singer Alan Merrill has died of coronavirus aged 69.
The sad news was confirmed by his daughter Laura, who explained he played down the “cold” he came down with before his health took a turn for the worse.
She wrote: “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. This thing is real.”
His death came just weeks after the musician played a number of shows in the US.
She went on to record it as a solo track after the band broke up.
After news of Merrill’s death was announced last night, Jett led tributes to the star.
In a post on Insatgram, Jett wrote: “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.”
Merrill enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter and performer.
He shot to fame fronting his band The Lead, who found stardom in Japan, before moving on to become the frontman of glam rock trio The Arrows.
They scored hits with A Touch Too Much and My Last Night With You.
His most famous track, I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll, was written by as as response to the Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It) in 1975.
