Valerie Murtagh

Valerie Murtagh
Birth name Patricia Valerie Jenkins
Also known as Valerie Avon
Born 1936 (age 81–82)
Willesden, London, England
Genres Pop music
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1960s–1970s

Valerie Murtagh (born Patricia Valerie Jenkins, 1936, Willesden, London, England,[1] also known under the pseudonym Valerie Avon) is an English singer and songwriter, who was a member of The Avons.

Career

After singing with the Avons vocal trio in the 1950s and 60s, alongside her husband's sister Elaine Murtagh and Elaine's husband Ray Adams, Murtagh became a songwriter under the name Valerie Avon. Together with Adams and Elaine Murtagh, she wrote "Dance On!".[2][3] This was a UK number one hit in 1963,[4] and the year later returned to the UK Singles Chart in a vocal version by Kathy Kirby with lyrics by Marcel Stellman.[5]

With her songwriting partner, Harold Spiro, she later wrote "Long Live Love", which was performed by Olivia Newton-John, the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1974.[6]

She also co-wrote the following songs:[7]

  • "In Summer" (Billy Fury) – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Murtagh[8]
  • "Don't Move Away" (Cliff Richard) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro[9]
  • "Annabella Umbrella" (Cliff Richard) – Valerie Avon, Neilburg, Harold Spiro[10]
  • "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin'" (Georgie Fame) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro[11]
  • "Easy Loving" (The Troggs) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro[12]
  • "Desdemona" (The Searchers) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
  • "I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl" (Gene Pitney) – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Adams (Elaine Murtagh)[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Britrock Chronology: 1935–39". Skidmore.edu. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  2. ↑ Jon Kutner, "Dance On!", 1000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, 2010
  3. ↑ "Shadows, The – Dance On! (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  4. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 491. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 304. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ↑ "Long Live Love – Oliviia Newton-John". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  7. ↑ Valerie Avon. "Valerie Avon – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  8. ↑ "Billy Fury – I'll Never Fall In Love Again / In Summer (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  9. ↑ "Don't Move Away – Cliff Richard : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  10. ↑ "Cliff Richard Featuring Shadows, The – The Cliff Richard Story (Box Set, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  11. ↑ "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin' – Georgie Fame : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  12. ↑ "Troggs, The – Easy Loving / Give Me Something (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  13. ↑ "Gene Pitney – I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
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