Valerie Murtagh

Valerie Murtagh
Also known asValerie Avon
Born
Patricia Valerie Jenkins

1936 (age 89–90)
Willesden, London, England
GenresPop music
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1950s–1970s

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

Early life

Murtagh was born in Willesden, London, England, in 1936.

Career

After singing with the Avons vocal trio between 1958 and 1964, 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] Recorded by the Shadows, this was a UK number one hit in 1963,[3] and the year later returned to the UK Singles Chart in a vocal version by Kathy Kirby with lyrics by Marcel Stellman, which reached number eleven. [4]

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.

She also co-wrote the following songs:[5]

  • "In Summer" (Billy Fury) – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Murtagh
  • "Don't Move Away" (Cliff Richard) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro[6]
  • "Annabella Umbrella" (Cliff Richard) – Valerie Avon, Neilburg, Harold Spiro
  • "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin'" (Georgie Fame) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro[7]
  • "Easy Loving" (The Troggs) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
  • "Desdemona" (The Searchers) – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro -- U.S. No. 94[8]
  • "I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl" (Gene Pitney) – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Adams (Elaine Murtagh)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Britrock Chronology: 1935–39". Skidmore.edu. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Jon Kutner, "Dance On!", 1000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, 2010
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 491. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 304. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ↑ Valerie Avon. "Valerie Avon – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  6. ↑ "Don't Move Away – Cliff Richard : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin' – Georgie Fame : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
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