Album Notes

Alan Merrill is the 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 British TV in '75 , and bought the Arrows record. She recorded the song in 1982, and it was number one for 8 weeks. The rest is rock 'n roll history. The song has more recently been covered by Britney Spears and is now an indisputable and enduring international rock anthem.

Alan Merrill had his first success in Japan in the early 70's both as a solo recording artist, and with his hard rock band Vodka Collins. As a resident Tokyo teenager he was the first foreigner ever to break into the Japanese domestic pop-rock market, and to have rock 'n roll hits in the Japanese language.

Merrill then moved to London in 1974 and formed the band The Arrows, as lead singer. Apart from "I love rock n roll" he had top ten chart hits with "Touch Too Much" and "My Last Night With You" with The Arrows. The band hosted their own weekly TV series in England in 1976-77. Also, a book was written about the band by Liverpool legend Bill Harry, of Merseybeat fame on Everest books.

Since The Arrows, Merrill has recorded and performed on many tours with a number of successful acts, like Meat Loaf, Runner, Derringer, Jon Tiven group, and Vodka Collins.

As a songwriter Alan Merrill has written songs for such diverse acts as Joan Jett, Lou Rawls, Britney Spears, Troy Turner, Runner, Rick Derringer, Felix Cavaliere, Guildo Horn, The Modern Jazz Quartet, and Freddie Scott.
Little known fact -
Alan Merrill's title track composition 1983's "When The Night Comes", as recorded by R&B great Lou Rawls on Epic records, was taken into space by the first black astronaut Gulon Bluford, in 1983. It was the first album ever to be taken into space by an astronaut.

The latest album by Alan Merrill, "Cupid Deranged", is the artist's most recent work, released in March 2002. It's a look back over the shoulder at some of his earlier work, re-recorded for the fun of it.
The basic tracks were recorded in Portsmouth England, then the tapes moved location to Paris France for some overdubs, and were completed with even more overdubs in New York City, USA. The core band on all 21 tracks are Alan Merrill on guitar and lead vocals, Peter Phipps (ex-Gary Glitter band, XTC, Eurythmics) on drums, and Dave Glover (currently with the band Slade) on bass. Guest soloists include Sal Bernardi (Rickie Lee Jones band) and Gulliver Allwood. Rocker girl Jan Tilley (Ronnie Spector Group) contributed the high harmonies.

This is Alan Merrill's most recent album, and also a look back at his past work, in the form of a recorded international jam session.