External links
- Songwriting database
- Valerie Murtagh discography at Discogs
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Valerie Murtagh | |
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| Also known as | Valerie Avon |
| Born | 1936 (age 88–89) Willesden, London, England |
| Genres | Pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1960s–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.
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] Recorded by the Shadows, 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]
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