Deep-voiced and statuesque, Phyllis Hyman sang with a life-affirming energy and emotional intensity found in few other female vocalists. Born in Philadelphia in 1949 (and raised in Pittsburgh), her professional career began in New York City where, during an engagement, she was spotted by producer Norman Connors and contemporaries Jean Carne and ...
| # | Quote |
|---|
| 1 | Just order me up a drink and a lot of food and I'm ready for the ride! ...on flying. |
| 2 | You have to persevere...you will get as much out of this business as you put into it. |
| 3 | "Oh, I'm a ballad queen for sure... I don't dig dance stuff very much but I seem to hit the charts with it. Go figure..." (on her material) |
| 4 | "I was pretty much a basket case for the first year - I didn't think I was that good. Then when the Tony nomination came through and I got the Theatre World Award - I really thought they gave it to me 'cause there was no-one else.." (on her Broadway debut) |
| 5 | "I guess I'm better off fat - than dead!" (on quitting smoking & gaining weight) |
| 6 | "Be nice to take that thing home and put it on my wall - but you know it ain't even real. Just a record they spray-painted gold. But that's OK. I'll take this and be more than thrilled! I've been in the business long enough to collect a whole bunch of them suckers!" (on her album "Living All Alone" going gold) |
| # | Fact |
|---|
| 1 | Was the eldest of seven children. |
| 2 | Was an excellent cook, and enjoyed cooking. Even had a couple of her recipes featured in Ebony Magazine. |
| 3 | Was nominated for Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for her performance in the tribute to Duke Ellington, "Sophisticated Ladies," which ran from March 1, 1981 to January 2, 1983. |
| 4 | Her voice was featured on nationally heard jingles from Burger King, Red Lobster, American Airlines, Mastercard & Lysol to name but a few. |
| 5 | Was a spokeswomen for Fashion Fair cosmetics in the 80s. |
| 6 | Famous artists such as Patti LaBelle, Roberta Flack, George Benson, Stevie Wonder and Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson would go out of their way to hear her perform. |
| 7 | First cousin once removed of actor Earle Hyman. Her great-grandparents Ismael Hyman and Cassandra Cross are Mr. Hyman's parental grandparents. |
| 8 | Once had to travel across town in a speeding New York City firetruck, sirens wailing, to make a matinee performance of "Sophisticated Ladies." |
| 9 | Her favorite cartoon character was Garfield the cat. |
| 10 | Was one of Bill Cosby's favorite singers and opening acts. |
| 11 | Two of Phyllis' most important causes were AIDS and the plight of the homeless. |
| 12 | She was considered for the role of Shug Avery in The Color Purple (1985). |
| 13 | Once a fashion model. |
| 14 | She married her manager, Larry Alexander, in the late 1970s; their marriage and professional relationship lasted nearly ten years. Larry's brother was well-known jazz pianist Monty Alexander. |
| 15 | Left a suicide note before swallowing an overdose of sleeping pills on Memorial Day Weekend, 1995. At the time she was battling drug and alcohol addiction and weight gain. Ironically, she had just finished recording the song "I Refuse to Be Lonely." |
| 16 | She worked with a Miami group called The Hondo Beat. |
| 17 | She formed her own band Phyllis Hyman and the PH Factor before relocating to New York. |
| 18 | After the group New Direction disbanded, she joined a Miami group called All The People. |
| 19 | Hit #101 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1980 with "You Know How to Love Me" (Arista 0463) |
| 20 | Hit #103 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1977 with "Loving You - Losing You" (Buddah 567) |
| 21 | Suffered from bi-polar disorder (manic depression) in her later life, which led to her eventual suicide. |
| 22 | She died a few hours before she was due to perform at the Apollo Theater. |
| 23 | Started her professional career with the group New Direction. |
| 24 | Was a legal secretary before being discovered by Norman Connors. |
| 25 | She won a Theater World award for Best Newcomer for "Sophisticated Ladies". |
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|
| Soul Train | 1992 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| Ebony/Jet Showcase | 1987-1991 | TV Series | Herself |
| Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street | 1988 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1987 | TV Series | Herself |
| Late Night with David Letterman | 1986 | TV Series | Herself |
| Too Scared to Scream | 1985 | Herself (uncredited) |
| A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. | 1984 | TV Special documentary | Herself |
| Eubie Blake: A Century of Music | 1983 | TV Movie | Herself |
| Broadway Plays Washington on Kennedy Center Tonight | 1982 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The 24th Annual Grammy Awards | 1982 | TV Special | Herself |
| Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1981 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The 35th Annual Tony Awards | 1981 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Musical |
| The Mike Douglas Show | 1980 | TV Series | Herself - Vocalist |
| Soul Alive | 1977 | TV Series | Herself |
