Valerie Murtagh
Birth namePatricia Valerie Jenkins
Also known asValerie Avon
Born1936 (age 8687)
Willesden, London, England
GenresPop music
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1960s–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]

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. "Shadows, The – Dance On! (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  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. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  7. Valerie Avon. "Valerie Avon – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  8. "Billy Fury – I'll Never Fall in Love Again / In Summer (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  9. "Don't Move Away – Cliff Richard : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  10. "Cliff Richard Featuring Shadows, The – The Cliff Richard Story (Box Set, Album) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  11. "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin' – Georgie Fame : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  12. "Troggs, The – Easy Loving / Give Me Something (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  13. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  14. "Gene Pitney – I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
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