Entertainment

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

Published

6 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

Davido To Be Inducted Into Black Music Walk Of Fame

Published

13 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Afrobeat superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been named an inductee for the 2026 Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States.

The organisers announced Davido as part of this year’s class ahead of the induction ceremony scheduled for June 1 in Atlanta’s Historic Westside.

The recognition places him alongside entertainment figures honoured for their influence on Black culture and global music.

Other inductees listed included Ludacris,Atlanta-based artiste and philanthropist, Paul Morton, renowned gospel singer and Maynard Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor.

The feat has added the “Timeless” crooner to the list of African artists previously recognised by the organisation, including late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame was created by the Black American Music Association and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus to honour people who have shaped Black entertainment and music.

It recognises Black entertainers and cultural figures who have influenced music and entertainment around the world, with inductees receiving plaques placed along the walkway in Atlanta in recognition of their impact on Black culture.

Davido’s recognition for the walk of fame is coming when he is marking 15 years on stage as a music star.

He had on Thursday shared a post on his X page(formerly Twitter), “God is the best of all planners! 15 years in da game”, reflecting on his journey so far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Davido, born in Atlanta,Georgia, began his music career professionally in 2011, and started working on his debut studio album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’,a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop.

He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International, and rose to fame after releasing “Dami Duro”, the second single from ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (2012).

Within a decade and half, Davido has delivered several hit records, including five studio albums; Omo Baba Olowo (2012),A Good Time (2019),A Better Time (2020),Timeless (2023) and 5ive (2025).

He has secured several nominations and awards on the global stage, with three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards (2024), including Best Global Music Album for Timeless.

NAN

Entertainment

Burna Boy To Feature On Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy will join Colombian pop icon Shakira to perform the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup titled “Dai Dai.”

It will be the second consecutive time a Nigerian artiste will feature in a World Cup song.

Recall that Davido featured in the official song of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tagged “Hayya Hayya (Better Together).”

The song will be officially released on Thursday, May 14.

In her post, Shakira wrote: “From Maracanã Stadium, here is ‘Dai Dai,’ the @FIFAWorldCup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready! ⚽️🐺 @burnaboy.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America.

The competition will run from June 11 to July 19.

Entertainment

Portable In Lone Car Accident Night To Child’s Naming Ceremony [VIDEO]

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Controversial Nigerian street-pop artiste, Portable, has been involved in a lone accident a night to his new born baby’s naming ceremony.

The incident happened on Thursday night in Ogun State, after he experienced a brake failure during his preparation for the ceremony.

Sharing details about the incident, Portable revealed he escaped death after he drove his car into a ditch to avoid colliding with another car.

Speaking in a trending video on his Instagram story, the singer said, “My fans, join me to appreciate God. I was just driving out this evening when the accident happened.

“Nothing do me oo, I came out unhurt . I suddenly realized that the car had failed brake. My people have arrived here (at the scene of the incident) I thank God they are not here to carry my corpse.

“I’ve already bought two cows for my son’s naming ceremony. Thank God that the accident didn’t happen when trailer was passing on the road.”

Recall that Portable gave out free ankara aso ebi clothes to celebrate the naming ceremony of his new born baby with his wife, Bewaji.

Bewaji had given birth during Portable’s boxing fight with Carter Efe on Friday May 1 2026

Watch the video here