The coronavirus pandemic has spread to at least 177 countries and territories, with the worldwide death toll from the virus surpassing the 34,000 mark on March 30. The breaking news is that Musician Alan Merrill died in New York Sunday due to complications from the coronavirus. 
Who was Alan Merrill?
Alan Merrill (born Allan Preston Sachs; February 19, 1951 – March 29, 2020) was an American vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, actor and model. In the early 1970s, Merrill was the first Westerner to achieve pop star status in Japan. He was the co-writer of, and lead singer on, the first released version of the song “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” recorded by the Arrows in 1975. Merrill was best known as a vocalist and songwriter but also played the guitar, bass guitar, harmonica and keyboards.
Songwriter of ‘I Love Rock and Roll’ dies of COVID-19 https://t.co/Fbqcwbo35H pic.twitter.com/HzRe2moeBp
— SFGate (@SFGate) March 30, 2020
Rock singer and guitarist who is notable for having become one of the first Western musicians to achieve star status in Japan, finding popularity with his bands The Lead and Vodka Collins. He would go on to have more global success as the frontman of the band The Arrows in the mid-70’s.
Family Life
His parents are singer Helen Merrill and saxophonist/clarinet player Aaron Sachs.
His daughter, Laura Merrill wrote on Facebook on Sunday (March 29)…
“The Coronavirus took my father this morning. I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out. He seemed peaceful and as I left was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen. I walked 50 blocks home still with hope in my heart. The city that I knew was empty. I felt I was the only person here and perhaps in many ways I was. By the time I got in the doors to my apartment I received the news that he was gone. How could this be? I was just at his show a couple of weeks ago. I had just photographed his portrait for his new album. Texted with him earlier. He played down the ‘cold’ he thought he had. We probably won’t be able to mourn him properly with a funeral. I just lost the greatest love of my life and won’t be able to hug anyone because I’ve been exposed and need to self quarantine for two weeks….alone.”
What Celebrities have to say on Alan Merrill death
Joan Jett
— Joan Jett (@joanjett) March 29, 2020
Upon hearing of Merrill’s death, Joan Jett paid respect to him on Instagram, writing: “I’ve just learned of the awful news that Alan Merrill has passed. 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.”
Michael Lee Aday
This is Meatloaf’s Facebook page following the death of songwriter and musician Alan Merrill – ‘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.’ pic.twitter.com/cj1w2NHjFJ
— Independent Thinking (@ITLWorldwide) March 30, 2020
“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.” – Meat Loaf.
Bid adieu
Merrill, born Allan Preston Sachs, recorded the first version of “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll” with his band the Arrows in 1975, after rising to pop stardom in Japan in the late ‘60s with bands like The Lead and Vodka Collins, and through his solo Atlantic Records album Alone In Tokyo. In 1982, Joan Jett’s cover brought “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll” to the top of the Billboard Charts. He will always be remembered by fans. May his soul rest in peace.
A message to all by Laura Merrill
“If anything can come of this I beg of you to take this seriously. Money doesn’t matter. People are dying.
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. Please stay safe. No one is immune to this and it is very real.”
HOW CAN WE PROTECT OUR ELDERLY FROM COVID-19? 
While the coronavirus outbreak poses health risks for everyone, officials have made clear that the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Apart from following the general guidelines on regularly washing hands, avoiding crowds, and practicing social distancing, it is very important that the elderly think twice about having friends and family members visit them, especially if anyone in the family might be sick. Caregivers should practice extra precaution themselves and the family should have a backup plan to care for their loved one in case the caregiver gets sick. … Planning also helps reduce panic and anxiety, so communicate a care plan among family members. There should also be enough supplies [food and medication] in the house that can last for at least two weeks, or maybe more. In many cases, you can mail order the medication and use grocery delivery services, as ways to further protect the older adults in the family.
