Introduction
Brenda and the Tabulations were an American R&B act formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1966. The original formation consisted of Brenda Payton, Eddie Jackson, Jerry Jones and Maurice Coates. They amassed several hits from the mid-60s music to early 70s music era. In 1971, the three male members left the group and were replaced by two female backing singers Pat Mercer and Deborah Martin. The group’s first single “Dry Your Eyes” was a smash hit in 1967 that placed on both pop and R&B charts at #20 and #8 respectively. Their 1971 release “Right on the Tip of My Tongue” was the group second big hit, peaking at #23 on the pop chart. Most of their releases until 1977 were R&B entries and never approached the pop charts. Lead singer Payton died on 14, 1992.
Early years of Brenda and The Tabulations
Brenda and the Tabulations were the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based R&B group known for their hit ballads between the the 1960’s and 1970’s such as “Dry Your Eyes” and “Right on the Tip of My Tongue.” The group encountered some personnel changes before they arrived at their most well-known lineup consisting of Eddie Jackson, Jerry Jones, Maurice Coates and lead singer Brenda Payton (born on October 24, 1945).
Payton, Jones, Jackson, Coates as well as Bernard Murphy formed the group in the 1960s. But during the early 1970s later they were reduced to an all-female trio that featured Payton, Pat Mercer and Deborah Martin.
The group’s biggest hit “Dry Your Eyes” and other recordings
Managed by Gilda Woods, Brenda and the Tabulations were signed to the independent label Dionn Records in 1967. Their first single “Dry Your Eyes,” co-written by Payton and Coates, climbed on the R&B chart at #2 and #20 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1971 they scored another hit with “Right on the Tip of My Tongue” which reached #23 pop and #10 R&B in 1971.
The group joined Epic/Columbia label but their singles there failed to chart, despite working with producer Van McCoy who was instrumental in their second hit. Then they released moved to Top & Bottom imprint where they released three albums. Around that time also, Brenda Payton also launched a solo career while still with the group.
Death of other members
At the age of 46, Payton died on June 14, 1992. Eddie Jackson died of brain aneurysm on May 3, 2010, aged 63.
Brenda and the Tabulations’ material is truly the stuff of oldies music classics that has seen some revival in recent years, thanks to the Axe TV ad which used the group’s song “The Wash” as its background music.
Brenda and the Tabulations’ discography (may be partial)
Dionn Records
(Dec 1966)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Dry Your Eyes
- B: The Wash
(April 1967)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Who’s Lovin’ You
- B: Stay Together Young Lovers
(Jul 1967)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Just Once In A Lifetime
- B: Hey Boy
(Sept 1967)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: When You’re Gone
- B: Hey Boy
(Feb 1968)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Baby You’re So Right For Me
- B: To The One I Love
Jun (1968)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Dry Your Eyes
- B: When You’re Gone
(Jul 1968)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: That’s In The Past
- B: I Can’t Get Over You
(Jan 1969)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: (You Gave Me) A Reason To Live
- B: Hey Boy
Top And Bottom Records
(Nov 1969)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: The Touch Of You
- B: Stop Sneaking Around
(Mar 1970)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: And My Heart Sang (Tra La La)
- B: Lies Lies Lies
(Jun 1970)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Don’t Make Me Over
- B: You’ve Changed
(Oct 1970)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: A Child No One Wanted
- B: Scuze Uz Y’All
(Jan 1971)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Right On The Tip Of My Tongue
- B: Always And Forever
(Jun 1971)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: A Part Of You
- B: Where There’s A Will (There’s A Way)
(Oct 1971)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Why Didn’t I Think Of That
- B: A Love You Can Depend On
(1972)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Dry Your Eyes
- B: Right On The Tip Of My Tongue
Epic Records
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Little Bit Of Love [Mono]
- B: Little Bit Of Love [Stereo]
(Jul 1972)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Little Bit Of Love
- B: Let Me Be Happy
(Feb 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: One Girl Too Late [Mono]
- B: One Girl Too Late [Stereo]
(Feb 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: One Girl Too Late
- B: Magic Of Your Love
(May 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Key To My Heart [Mono]
- B: Key To My Heart [Stereo]
(May 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Key To My Heart
- B: Love Is Just A Carnival
(Oct 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Walk On In [Mono]
- B: Walk On In [Stereo]
(Oct 1973)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Walk On In
- B: I’m In Love
Chocolate City Records
(Oct 1976)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: Home To Myself
- B: Leave Me Alone
(Apr 1977)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: (I’m A) Superstar
- B: Take It Or Leave It
(Apr 1977)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: (I’m A) Superstar [Long Version]
- B: (I’m A) Superstar [Short Version]
(Nov 1977)
Brenda and the Tabulations
- A: I Keep Coming Back For More [Mono]
- B: I Keep Coming Back For More [Stereo]