Entertainment

Popular ‘Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ Songwriter Dies Of Coronavirus

Published

4 years ago

March 30, 2020

Editor

The co-writer and original singer of I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll, Alan Merrill, has died after contracting coronavirus.

His daughter Laura shared the news, saying the 69-year-old had been healthy enough to play shows a few weeks ago.

“He played down the ‘cold’ he thought he had,” she wrote, before warning other families not to be complacent.

“You don’t think It’ll happen to you or your strong family. It has,” she wrote. “Stay home if not for you, for others. For my dad. This thing is real.”

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll became a global hit for Joan Jett in 1982 and has been covered by artists ranging from Britney Spears to Weird Al Yankovic.

A parody version, I Love Sausage Rolls, was last year’s Christmas number one in the UK, with proceeds going to charity.

Musicians hit by coronavirus

Coronavirus also claimed the life of country singer Joe Diffie over the weekend, while the family of Nashville legend John Prine said he was critically ill on a ventilator and being treated for Covid-19 symptoms.

Prine, an influential singer-songwriter who is known for lyrical, melancholy folk songs like Hello In There and Angel From Montgomery, has previously survived cancer twice.

As news of his condition broke, musicians including Joan Baez, Bette Midler and Kacey Musgraves sent the Grammy Award winner their love and support.

Alan Merrill, who was born Allan Preston Sachs in New York, had a long and varied career as a musician. He signed his first record deal as lead singer of the band The Lead, who had a big hit in Japan with Aoi Bara (Blue Rose).

After releasing two successful solo albums and hosting TV shows and acting in soap operas, he left Japan for the UK in 1974 to form The Arrows, who put a glam rock sheen on classic pop melodies.

The group scored hits with A Touch Too Much and My Last Night With You, and I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll was written by Merrill and guitarist Jake Hooker as “a knee-jerk response to the Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” in 1975.

Originally issued on the B-side of The Arrows’ single Broken Down Heart, it became a hit after DJs started playing the flip side instead.

Its success led to the band getting a weekly ITV series, with musical guests including Marc Bolan, Slade and The Bay City Rollers – and that was where US singer Joan Jett first heard, and fell in love with, I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll.

In the mid-1970s, Jett tried to convince her band The Runaways to cover it but they refused. When the band broke up, Jett recorded it and spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard chart.

After his death, she paid tribute to Merrill on Instagram, writing: “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 later joined Meat Loaf’s band for two albums and played with Rick Derringer.

Writing on Facebook, Meat Loaf said: “Let this be a lesson to all of us, try to stay in touch with the people you really love and care about. Life is very short. Alan I am sorry that I didn’t reach out to you years ago. I love you very much.”

(BBC)

(PHOTO: bbc.com)

Entertainment

Rema To Thrill Benin Residents As Obaseki Hosts Award-winning Singer In Homecoming Concert

Published

13 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Editor

The festive season is set to reach new heights in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as Governor Godwin Obaseki unveils plans to host Edo-born musical prodigy, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, in a grand Homecoming Music Concert on December 21.

Obaseki, renowned for his commitment to transforming Edo into a cultural and entertainment hub, expressed his excitement to bring Rema back to his roots, while speaking to youths at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City.

Obaseki said, “By the grace of God, this Christmas, we will bring Rema home. Rema will have a Homecoming Concert.”

Confirming the governor’s directive to organise the Christmas gig, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, said the Homecoming Concert is scheduled to take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, on December 21, 2023.

The Commissioner said, “On behalf of Edo State and the vibrant City of Benin, we express our utmost excitement and pride in welcoming you back home, Rema. The Governor, Benin City, and the people of Edo State eagerly anticipate your Homecoming Concert. We are thrilled to experience your incredible talent live on our stage once again at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.”

She added, “Your success not only brings honour to our State but has also inspired countless young talents here in Edo State. Thanks for making us really proud and we can’t calm down as we are anticipating December 21.”

The governor, over the past seven years, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to positioning Edo as a prime destination for entertainment, creativity, and tourism. The Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub stands as a testament to this commitment, providing world-class facilities that attract both investors and entertainers to the State.

The planned Homecoming Concert for Rema follows the success of the Alaghodaro Youth Concert, which showcased the talents of Nigerian stars of Edo extraction.

Johnny Drille, another Edo-born music sensation, recently hosted a show in the State, delivering a mesmerising performance at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, before paying a courtesy visit to the governor.

Entertainment

VIDEO: Naira Marley, Sam Larry Make First Appearance After Regaining Freedom

Published

16 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Editor

Marlian Music record owner, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, have made their first public appearance following after their release from custody.

This was revealed in videos shared on TikTok on Tuesday night by Sam Larry.

In the videos which have now gone viral, the two of them were seen in the company of another singer on the record label, Oniyide Azeez, aka Zinoleesky, and others.

The duo were in October arraigned and remanded over their alleged involvement in circumstances surrounding the death of a musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

They were, however, released on November 17, by the Lagos State Police Command after they met their bail conditions.

Video:

VIDEO: Naira Marley, Sam Larry Make First Appearance After Regaining Freedom

Marlian Music record owner, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, have made their first public appearance following after their release from custody.… pic.twitter.com/U8496f1Xbn

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) November 29, 2023

Entertainment

Actress Laide Bakare Announces 3rd Marriage [Video]

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2023

Editor

Popular Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare is set to marry for the third time after her two failed marriages.

The 43-year-old made the announcement in a post on her Instagram page on Monday.

Recall that the actress had previously married to Olumide Kunfulire with whom she shares a daughter named Simi, born in 2008.

In 2013 Bakare tied the knot for the second time with a Lagos socialite, Tunde Oriowo and had two sons together.

However, announcing her upcoming third marriage ceremony, the actress shared a video of herself and her husband-to-be.

Captioning the clip, she wrote: “Love is a beautiful thing. Join us this Saturday, December 2nd at AMORE GARDEN Lekki phase 1 by 5pm. I can’t wait to host you.”

VIDEO: