Elaine Murtagh

Elaine Patricia Mary Murtagh (born Ellien Murtagh; 1940 – 18 January 2026) was an Irish singer and songwriter who was a member of the Avons, a pop vocal group popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Background Ellien Patricia Mary Murtagh was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1940. She died in hospital on 18 January 2026.

Career Murtagh was a member of the Avons with her sister-in-law, Valerie Murtagh. 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. 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. 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.