Valerie Murtagh
Valerie Murtagh 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!". This was a UK number one hit in 1963, and the year later returned to the UK Singles Chart in a vocal version by Kathy Kirby with lyrics by Marcel Stellman.
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:
- "In Summer" – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Murtagh
- "Don't Move Away" – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
- "Annabella Umbrella" – Valerie Avon, Neilburg, Harold Spiro
- "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin'" – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
- "Easy Loving" – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
- "Desdemona" – Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro -- U.S. #94
- "I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl" – Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Adams
