Elaine Murtagh
Irish singer and songwriter (1940–2026)
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Background
Ellien Patricia Mary Murtagh was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1940.[1] She died in hospital on 18 January 2026.[2][3]
Career
Murtagh was a member of the Avons with her sister-in-law, Valerie Murtagh.[4] Towards the end of her singing career she moved into songwriting; the best known of her songs is "Dance On!", a hit record for both the Shadows in 1962 and Kathy Kirby in 1963, which she wrote with Valerie and Ray Adams.[5][6] She also wrote "In Summer", a number 5 hit for Billy Fury in 1963, as well as songs recorded by Petula Clark and Tom Jones.[7] She married Ray Adams in 1964.
She formed the Elaine Avon Artiste Management & Agency in 1984; it specialised in providing performers for luxury cruise lines.[2]