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Valerie Murtagh

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Valerie Murtagh
Birth namePatricia Valerie Jenkins[citation needed]
Also known asValerie Avon
Born1936 (age 87–88)
Willesden, London, England
GenresPop music
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1960s–1970s

Valerie Murtagh (born Patricia Valerie Jenkins,[citation needed] 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.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valerie_Murtagh&oldid=761010015"