Alan Merrill was the lead singer and songwriter of the original 1975 Arrows UK hit version of "I love Rock 'n Roll". Joan Jett saw him perform the song on a British television pop show in 1976, and bought the Arrows record. She recorded the song in 1982, and it was number one for 8 weeks in the USA. Alan Merrill was literally born into the world of music. His parents Jazz Vocalist Helen Merrill and sax/clarinetist Aaron Sachs of Earl 'Fatha' Hines Band are world-renowned musicians. In 1974, in London, Alan Merrill formed the band The Arrows (as lead singer). In March, 1974 The Arrows were in the top 10 in the UK charts with the song "Touch Too Much.” In 1980 Alan Merrill joined Rick Derringer as a guitarist/vocalist in New York City. They recorded two albums, "Good Dirty Fun", and "Rick Derringer and Friends". Lou Rawls recorded Alan Merrill's song "When The Night Comes" as the title track of his 1983 Epic Records album. The version of the song was taken into space by astronaut Guion Bluford, the first music taken to and played in outer space. In 1983 Merrill recorded a solo album for Polydor Records, simply titled "Alan Merrill." Some friends contributing to this record were Steve Winwood, Mick Taylor and Dallas Taylor. In 1986 Alan Merrill joined the Meat Loaf band -recording Meat Loaf's 1987 Live at Wembley album for Arista Records. In 1989 Alan Merrill was offered a role in the television series Encyclopedia Brown on HBO, and was a part of the successful series in his role as principal character Casey Sparkz. Alan Merrill does live solo concerts internationally, both band backed and solo acoustic shows. He currently resides in New York City.
