Alan Merrill tells the story of I Love Rock 'n' Roll in his final Guitar World interview

Alan Merrill in Greenwich Village, NYC on September 13, 2009 in New York, U.S.A.
(Image credit: Neil H Kitson/Redferns/Getty)

Following the news of Alan Merrill's passing on March 29 2020, Guitar World has unearthed our final, never-before-published interview with the Arrows frontman, conducted in March 2019, during which time Merrill was promoting then-new album Radio Zero.

In the candid conversation, Merrill revealed the songwriting history behind his most famous hit, as well as his favorite cover versions over the years.

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Mark McStea

Mark is a freelance writer with particular expertise in the fields of ‘70s glam, punk, rockabilly and classic ‘50s rock and roll. He sings and plays guitar in his own musical project, Star Studded Sham, which has been described as sounding like the hits of T. Rex and Slade as played by Johnny Thunders. He had several indie hits with his band, Private Sector and has worked with a host of UK punk luminaries. Mark also presents themed radio shows for Generating Steam Heat. He has just completed his first novel, The Bulletproof Truth, and is currently working on the sequel.