Phyllis Hyman (July 6, 1949 - June 30, 1995) was a soul artist beloved by many musicians. She began her career as a silky-voiced singer influenced by jazz, and gradually moved towards heavily-produced urban contemporary ballads.

She is remembered as one of the premier female vocalists of her time, known for songs such as "Old Friend", "Living All Alone," "I Don't Want To Lose You" and "Don't Wanna Change The World". Her trademarks included chandelier earrings, dress hats and a white bugle-beaded dress.

Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but raised in Pittsburgh in the Northview Heights community.

Her music training started with a scholarship to a music school. On graduation, she performed on a national tour with the group New Direction in 1971. After the group disbanded, she joined All the People and worked with another local group, The Hondo Beat. At this time, she appeared in the film Lenny (1974). She also did a two-year stint leading a band called Phyllis Hyman and the P/H Factor.

Hyman moved to New York City to work on her reputation. She did background vocals on Jon Lucien's Premonition and worked in clubs. It was during one of these performances that she was spotted by Norman Connors, who offered her a spot as a vocalist on his album, You Are My Starship (1976). Her best performance on the album is a remake of The Stylistics' "Betcha By Golly Wow".

Popular success

Hyman sang with Pharoah Sanders and the Fatback Band while working on her first solo album, Phyllis Hyman, released in 1977 on the Buddah label. She made a major impression when her label was acquired by Arista the next year. Her first album under the new label, Somewhere in My Lifetime, was highly successful. Its title track was produced by Barry Manilow and with "You Know How to Love Me" made the R&B Top 20. Her next album, You Know How To love Me, is loved by fans.

Hyman's first solo Top Ten hit came in 1981 with "Can't We Fall In Love Again", a duet with Michael Henderson. The song was recorded while she was performing in the Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies (a tribute to Duke Ellington). She performed in the role for two and a half years, receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress and a Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer.

Problems between Hyman and her label, Arista, caused a long pause in her recording career. Contractual disputes left Hyman unable to work with another label. She used the time to appear on movie soundtracks, television commercials and guest vocals, working with Chuck Mangione, Barry Manilow, The Whispers and The Four Tops. She toured often and did a college lecture tour.

Free from Arista in 1985, she released the album Living All Alone in 1986. After international tours, her next album was equally successful: Prime of My Life, released in 1991, included the favorite "Don't Wanna Change The World".

Hyman's last album, I Refuse To Be Lonely, was a journey into her personal life. She struggled with bipolar disorder, depression, alcoholism, weight gain and financial problems. She was also emotionally exhausted from lending her talents to AIDS benefits concerts and support groups. Adding to her sorrow, her mother and grandmother died within a month of one another, which she wrote about in the song "This Too Shall Pass".

Death

On the afternoon of June 30th, 1995, Hyman committed suicide by taking a drug overdose. She was found just hours before she was scheduled to perform at the famed Apollo Theatre. It was a week before her 46th birthday.

She left a suicide note reading, "I'm tired I'm tired those of you that I love know who you are may god bless you." it is thought that the last part of the message was for her family and fans.

In November of the same year, Phyllis' final album I Refuse to Be Lonely was released. Three years after her death, a posthumous album of previously unreleased songs was published. Forever With You (1998) contains smooth love songs and bittersweet ballads, mostly trying to find acceptance within a relationship.

Awards and accolades

As well as her Theater World Award and Tony Award nomination for stage performance, Hyman's achievements included several music awards. In 1992 she was voted 'Number One Best Female Vocalist' in the United Kingdom by Blues & Soul magazine readers, over Anita Baker, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.

Hyman was beloved by many famous musicians. She was one of Bill Cosby's favorite singers and opening acts. Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and George Benson would go out of their way to hear her perform. Long-time fan Barry Manilow worked on one of her early singles. Her songs were frequently sought out for remixes by DJs and dance clubs.