Elaine Murtagh (born Elaine Patricia Murtagh; 1940 â 18 January 2026) was an Irish singer, songwriter and a member of the Avons, a pop vocal group popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Murtagh was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1940.
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.
Murtagh died in hospital on 18 January 2026.