Valerie Murtagh

Valerie Murtagh (born 1936, Willesden, London ^[1]) - pseudonym Valerie Avon - is an English singer and songwriter. Originally she was a member of The Avons.

Career

After her somewhat limited singing career with The Avons drew to a close, Murtagh became a successful songwriter, and remained involved with the British music industry. With her songwriting partner, Harold Spiro, she wrote (under the name Valerie Avon) the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, "Long Live Love", as performed by Olivia Newton-John.^[2]

In addition she co-penned (under that nom de plume) the following songs ^[3]

"Dance On!" (The Shadows) - Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Murtagh †
"In Summer" (Billy Fury) - Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Murtagh
"Don't Move Away" (Cliff Richard) - Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
"Umbrella" (Cliff Richard) - Valerie Avon, Neilburg, Harold Spiro
"Easy Lovin', Easy Livin'" (Georgie Fame) - Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
"Easy Loving" (The Troggs) - Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
"Desdemona" (The Searchers) - Valerie Avon, Harold Spiro
"I'm Gonna Find Myself A Girl" (Gene Pitney) - Ray Adams, Valerie Avon and Elaine Dadams

† This track 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.