Phyllis Hyman

Phylis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman (born July 6, 1949 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania as Phyllis Linda Hyman, † June 30, 1995 in New York , NY ) was an American R&B and jazz singer. After her debut in 1976 she was on the R&B charts of the USA for almost 20 years; she did not have a major breakthrough or jump into the pop hit lists. Don't Wanna Change the World reached # 1 on the R&B charts in 1991.

Live and act

Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, the oldest of seven children; she was a third cousin of actor Earle Hyman . She spent her youth in Pittsburgh . She gained her first musical experience in high school and college , when she was preparing to become a paralegal. Her professional music career began in 1971 with the cover band "New Direction". Engagements in various other groups such as "The Hondo Beat" followed; then she formed her own band "Phyllis Hyman Factor". She also worked as a photo model and had a cameo in the film Lenny ( Bob Fosse , 1974).

In her career, Hyman mainly recorded records for the labels Buddah , Arista and Philadelphia . In addition, a number of recordings were made for various small labels, often in cooperation with other musicians. Hyman recorded her first single Leavin 'the Good Life Behind in 1975 for Private Stock . The renowned disco producer Tom Moulton mixed this recording, but it did not bring the hoped-for success. A year later, the jazz musician Norman Connors hired Hyman for his LP You Are My Starship , which included two recordings in which the singer sang the lead. Both recordings were also released as single and gave Hyman two hits in the R&B charts: We Both Need Each Other , a duet with Michael Henderson , and Betcha by Golly Wow , a cover of the Connie Stevens song from 1970, with which the band The Stylistics had a hit in 1972.

She placed her first solo single in the R&B charts with Baby (I'm Gonna Love You) (1976, number 76). This recording was released on the small label Desert Moon - a little later she switched to Buddah, which at that time was very well represented on the soul market with artists such as Gladys Knight & the Pips , Barbara Mason and Melba Moore . The first LP Phyllis Hyman was released here in 1977, to which Thom Bell, among others, contributed the epic ballad Loving You - Losing You , which was also a small hit in the R&B charts (number 32). In 1978 jazz musician Pharoah Sanders hired Hyman for his LP Love Will Find a Way . She sang the lead vocals of the smooth jazz songs Love Is Here and As You Are .

On March 28, 1979, she married Larry Alexander, her manager at the time and brother of the jazz pianist Monty Alexander . In the same year, Arista boss Clive Davis signed the singer. The album Somewhere in My Lifetime contained a Barry Manilow production with the title track , which reached number 12 on the R&B charts. The following year the lavishly produced LP You Know How to Love Me was released , the title track of which was a great success in American discos and was later covered by Lisa Stansfield, among others . In 1981, Hyman celebrated their first Top 10 success with Can't We Fall in Love Again (the duet with Michael Henderson reached number 9 on the R&B charts). She also made her New York Broadway debut in the Duke Ellington - Revue Sophisticated Ladies . She was nominated for a Tony Award and received a Theater World Award for her performance .

In 1982, Hyman posed freely in men's magazine Oui . Two photos from this session were published a little later in Jet magazine, which is aimed at African American readers.

The following year, Hyman recorded the song Never Say Never Again, written by Stephen Forsyth and Jim Ryan, for the James Bond film of the same name . However, the producer of the film Jack Schwartzman had engaged the Frenchman Michel Legrand to create the soundtrack, the composition of which with text by the Bergman couple - who had previously created a world hit with Legrand with The Windmills of Your Mind - performed by Lani Hall for the "Bond- Song "in its jazz-oriented score. Hyman's recording disappeared in the archives and was not published by Hyman until 2008, thirteen years of her death.

Hyman's collaboration with the Arista label ended with the little-noticed album Goddess of Love , the title of which was a nickname for the singer in later years. Clive Davis had largely lost interest in her because he had discovered a new, young and more promising singer in Whitney Houston . After a break, Hyman signed with the Philadelphia label , which had shaped Philly soul in the 1970s . The singles Old Friend (1986, R&B No. 12) and Living All Alone (1987, R&B No. 14) sold successfully. The accompanying album Living All Alone was produced by, among others, Kenneth Gamble , Leon Huff and Thom Bell - essential musicians and songwriters of Philly soul. Drug and weight problems as well as extreme mood swings afflicted Hyman privately in the following years. Nevertheless, she continued to perform live, but also took on roles as an actress. In the action film The Kill Reflex (1989) she was seen on the side of Maud Adams and Fred Williamson . Barry Manilow, in turn, invited her as a guest star in his television special Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street (1987). She worked with Grover Washington, Jr. on the single Sacred Kind of Love (1990, R&B # 21) . 1991 was followed by her number one hit Don't Wanna Change the World , which was followed by two more top 10 hits ( Living in Confusion , When You Get Right Down to It ). The following year the readers of the British trade magazine Blues & Soul voted her singer of the year - ahead of Anita Baker , Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin .

Personal problems and several deaths in her family and friends again hit the artist hard in the following years. Nevertheless, she continued to give concerts regularly. On June 30, 1995, Hyman ended her life on sleeping pills. On the same day, a joint concert with the soul group The Whispers in New York's Apollo Theater was originally scheduled. The Whispers performed in honor of Hyman anyway and later also dedicated the musical Thank God! The Beat Goes On (1996), in which Hyman was portrayed by R&B singer Alyson Williams .

Further effect

The album I Refuse to Be Lonely with the last Hyman hit of the same name in the R&B charts (number 59) was released posthumously at the end of 1995. In the following years, numerous other albums were released with their successes, but also with unreleased recordings. In 2008, Hyman was the subject of the documentary series Unsung on the Afro-American TV channel TV One. This series is dedicated to R&B stars who received less attention than others. In the same year, the biography Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story by Jason A. Michael was published. Both the book and the documentation go into detail about her personal problems, particularly her depression and mood swings as a result of bipolar disorder .

Discography

Studio albums

year	title	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, rankings, weeks, awards, notes)			Remarks
		UK	US	R&B
1977	Phyllis Hyman (UK, US) / Interpretations (DE) Buddah 5681	-	US107 (14 weeks) US	R&B49 (7 weeks) R&B	First published: April 2, 1977 Producers: Larry Alexander, Sandy Torano, Jerry Peters, John Davis
1979	Somewhere in My Lifetime Arista 4202	-	US70 (17 weeks) US	R&B15 (19 weeks) R&B	First published: January 10, 1979 Producers: Barry Manilow , Ron Dante , Larry Alexander, Skip Scarborough
	You Know How to Love Me Arista 9509	-	US50 (21 weeks) US	R&B10 (26 weeks) R&B	First published: October 23, 1979 Producers: James Mtume , Reggie Lucas
1981	Can't We Fall in Love Again Arista 9544	-	US57 (13 weeks) US	R&B11 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: June 12, 1981 Producers: Norman Connors , Chuck Jackson , Maxine Brown
1983	Goddess of Love Arista 8021	-	US112 (12 weeks) US	R&B20 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: May 9, 1983 Producers: Narada Michael Walden , Thom Bell
1986	Living All Alone Philadelphia I. 53029	UK97 (1 week) UK	US78 (41 weeks) US	R&B11 (63 weeks) R&B	First published: August 15, 1986 Producers: Kenny Gamble , Nick Martinelli, Casey James, Dexter Wansel, Reggie Griffin, Phyllis Hyman, Terry Burrus
1991	Prime of My Life Philadelphia I. 11006	-	US117 (12 weeks) US	R&B10 (49 weeks) R&B	First published: June 11, 1991 Producers: Kenny Gamle, Nick Martinelli, Marti Sharron, Gene McDaniels
1995	I Refuse to Be Lonely Philadelphia I. 11040	-	US67 (9 weeks) US	R&B12 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: November 21, 1995 Producers: Nick Martinelli, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
1998	Forever with You Philadelphia I. 30902	-	-	R&B66 (7 weeks) R&B	First published: July 28, 1998 Executive Producer : Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff

More studio albums

• 1978: Sing a Song (Buddah 5711)

Compilations

year	title	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, rankings, weeks, awards, notes)			Remarks
		UK	US	R&B
1996	Loving You, Losing You: The Classic Balladry of Phyllis Hyman RCA 66838	-	-	R&B47 (5 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1996
1996	The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman Arista 18938	-	-	R&B78 (1 week) R&B	First published: November 1996

More compilations

• 1986: The Best of Phyllis Hyman
• 1989: Under Her Spell: Greatest Hits
• 1990: The Best of Phyllis Hyman: The Buddah Years
• 1991: It Takes Style
• 1998: One on One
• 1998: Remembered Featuring the Committee
• 1998: Sweet Music
• 1999: Master Hits
• 1999: Phylladelphia: The Gamble-Huff Years
• 2000: It's About Me
• 2003: In Between the Heartaches: The Soul of a Diva
• 2004: Platinum & Gold Collection
• 2004: Ultimate Phyllis Hyman
• 2004: The Essence of Phyllis Hyman
• 2006: Love Songs

Singles

year	Title album	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes)				Remarks	[↑]: treated together with the previous entry; [←]: placed in both charts
		UK	US	R&B	Dance
1976	Baby (I'm gonna love you)	-	-	R&B76 (6 weeks) R&B	-	First published: June 1976 Author: Larry Alexander
1977	Betcha by Golly Wow You Are My Starship	-	-	R&B29 (9 weeks) R&B	-	First published: January 1977 Norman Connors feat. Phyllis Hyman Authors: Thom Bell , Linda Creed Original: Connie Stevens - Keep Growing Strong , 1970
	Loving You - Losing You Phyllis Hyman	-	-	R&B32 (12 weeks) R&B	Dance36 (4 weeks) Dance	First published: March 1977 Author: Thom Bell
	No One Can Love You More Phyllis Hyman	-	-	R&B58 (10 weeks) R&B	-	First published: July 1977 Author: Skip Scarborough
1978	Somewhere in My Lifetime Somewhere in My Lifetime	-	-	R&B12 (16 weeks) R&B	-	First published: December 1978 Author: Jesus Alvarez
1979	Kiss You All Over Somewhere in My Lifetime	-	-	-	Dance75 1 (4 weeks) Dance	First published: April 1978 Authors: Mike Chapman , Nicky Chinn Original: Exile , 1978
	So Strange Somewhere in My Lifetime	-	-	-[Dance: ↑]		First published: May 1979 Authors: Bill Greene, Theodore Life
	You Know How to Love Me You Know How to Love Me	UK47 (6 weeks) UK	-	R&B12 (21 weeks) R&B	Dance6 (21 weeks) Dance	First published: October 1979 Authors: James Mtume , Reggie Lucas
1980	Under Your Spell You Know How to Love Me	-	-	R&B37 (11 weeks) R&B	-	First published: February 1980 Authors: James Mtume, Reggie Lucas
1981	Can't We Fall in Love Again Can't We Fall in Love Again	-	-	R&B9 (15 weeks) R&B	-	First published: June 1981 with Michael Henderson Authors: John Lewis Parker, Peter Iver
	You Sure Look Good to Me Can't We Fall in Love Again	UK56 (3 weeks) UK	-	R&B76 (3 weeks) R&B	-	First published: September 1981 Authors: Brian Potter, Rick Cordera
	Tonight You and Me Can't We Fall in Love Again	-	-	R&B22 (11 weeks) R&B	Dance30 (13 weeks) Dance	First published: October 1981 Authors: Bruce Hawes, P. Scott
1983	Riding the Tiger Goddess of Love	-	-	R&B30 (13 weeks) R&B	Dance20 (12 weeks) Dance	First published: May 1983 Authors: Dwayne Simmons, Jeffrey Cohen, Narada Michael Walden
	Why Did You Turn Me On Goddess of Love	-	-	R&B74 (4 weeks) R&B	-	First publication: September 1983 Authors: Alee Willis, Corrado Rustici, Narada Michael Walden
1986	Old Friend Living All Alone	-	-	R&B14 (16 weeks) R&B	-	First published: August 1986 Authors: Thom Bell, Linda Creed
	You Know How to Love Me '86 The Best of Phyllis Hyman	UK89 (1 week) UK	-	-	-	First published: September 1986 Producer: James Mtume
	Living All Alone Living All Alone	-	-	R&B12 (17 weeks) R&B	-	First published: December 1986 Authors: Cynthia Biggs, Dexter Wansel, Kenny Gamble
1987	Screaming at the Moon Living All Alone	UK83 (3 weeks) UK	-	-	-	First published: March 1987 Authors: Ron Hollins, Wayne Wallace
	Ain't You Had Enough Love Living All Alone	-	-	R&B29 (12 weeks) R&B	-	First published: April 1987 Authors: Carl McIntosh, Jane Eugene, Steve Nichol Original: Julie Roberts , 1985
1990	Sacred Kind of Love Time Out of Mind	-	-	R&B21 (13 weeks) R&B	-	First published: February 1990 Grover Washington, Jr. feat. Phyllis Hyman Authors: Sami McKinney, Cole Porter , Karin Rybar
	Obsession Love Goddess	-	-	R&B79 (7 weeks) R&B	-	First published: May 1990 Lonnie Liston Smith feat. Phyllis Hyman Authors: Phyllis Hyman, Terry Burrus
1991	Don't Wanna Change the World Prime of My Life	-	-	R&B1 (19 weeks) R&B	-	First published: June 1991 Authors: Jonathan Rosen, Karen Manno, Dave Darlington
	Living in Confusion Prime of My Life	-	-	R&B9 (18 weeks) R&B	-	First published: September 1991 Authors: Terry Burrus, Kenny Gamble, Phyllis Hyman
1992	When You Get Right Down to It Prime of My Life	-	-	R&B10 (15 weeks) R&B	-	First published: January 1992 Authors: Nick Martinelli, Reginald Hines
	I Found Love Prime of My Life	-	-	R&B70 (8 weeks) R&B	-	First published: May 1992 Authors: Jonathan Rosen, Karen Manno
1993	Remember Who You Are Remember Who You Are	-	-	R&B86 (3 weeks) R&B	-	First release: March 1993 Norman Connors feat. Phyllis Hyman Authors: Lynn DeFino, Roxanna Ward
1995	I Refuse to Be Lonely I Refuse to Be Lonely	-	-	R&B59 (19 weeks) R&B	-	First published: November 1995 Authors: Alan Rich, Judd Friedman, Nick Martinelli, Phyllis Hyman
1996	I'm Truly Yours I Refuse to Be Lonely	-	-	R&B94 (3 weeks) R&B	-	First published: May 1996 Authors: Kenny Gamble, James Sigler
1998	Funny How Love Goes Forever with You	-	-	R&B75 (7 weeks) R&B	-	First published: August 1998 with Damon Williams Authors: Walter Sigler, Kenny Gamble
	Tell Me What You're Gonna Do Forever with You	-	-	R&B78 (2 weeks) R&B	-	First published: December 1998 Authors: Barry J. Eastmond, Herb Middleton, Phyllis Hyman

¹ These two tracks are on a special 12 "DJ promo

More singles

• 1975: Leavin 'the Good Life Behind (release: August)
• 1979: Living Inside Your Love (release: July)
• 1987: You Just Don't Know
• 1988: Black and Blue (with Barry Manilow ; release: May)
• 1998: Groove with You
• 2003: Can't Live Without You (Original recording from 1974)

swell

1. ↑ Biography, IMDB ; however, the obituary in The Independent states Pittsburgh. See obituary (English)
2. ^ Billboard Singles, Allmusic
3. ^ YouTube, interview with Phyllis Hyman and obituary in the Independent.
4. ↑ Discogs, LP info
5. ↑ Discogs, LP info
6. ↑ The marriage lasted until 1988.
7. ^ Billboard Singles, Allmusic
8. ↑ Recordings from the show later appeared on vinyl (1981) cf. Rate Your Music and DVD (2005)
9. ^ "Phyllis Hyman Bares Her Beautiful Body," Jet, Jul 5, 1982, p. 56
10. ↑ Original `Never Say Never Again` theme song uncovered. In: MI6 The Home of James Bond 007. mi6-hq.com, the Home of James Bond, April 22, 2008, accessed June 14, 2019 . 
11. ^ Connery's final Bond film tune sees the light of day after 25 years. In: Oneindia. One.in Digitech Media Pvt. Ltd., May 7, 2008, accessed June 14, 2019 . 
12. ↑ Biography, IMDB
13. ↑ Discogs, LP info
14. ^ Coroner says Phyllis Hyman used sleeping pills to commit suicide; new LP due out soon JET Magazine (English) ( Memento from July 14, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )
15. ↑ The Whispers pay tribute to Phyllis Hyman in stage play 'Thank God! The Beat Goes On. ' JET Magazine (English) ( Memento of 9 July 2012 in the Web archive archive.today )
16. ↑ Homepage of the book
17. ↑ ^{a b c} Chart sources: UK US
18. ^ Joel Whitburn : Top R&B Albums 1965–1998, ISBN 0-89820-134-9 .
19. ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot R&B Songs 1942–2010: 6th Edition, ISBN 978-0-89820-186-4 .
20. ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot Dance / Disco 1974-2003, ISBN 978-0-89820-156-7 .

Web links

• Phyllis Hyman at Allmusic (English)
• Phyllis Hyman at Discogs (English)
• Phyllis Hyman in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Phyllis Hyman at Soultracks (English)