Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman
Hyman in 1994
Born
Phyllis Linda Hyman

(1949-07-06)July 6, 1949
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1][2]
DiedJune 30, 1995(1995-06-30) (aged 45)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active1971–1995
Spouse
Larry Alexander
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 1982)​
RelativesEarle Hyman (cousin)
Awards1981 Theatre World Award for her performance in Sophisticated Ladies
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Labels

Phyllis Linda Hyman (July 6, 1949 – June 30, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Hyman's music career spanned the late 1970s through the early 1990s, and she was best known for her expansive contralto range.[3] Some of her most notable songs are "You Know How to Love Me" (1979), "Living All Alone" (1986) and "Don't Wanna Change the World" (1991).[4] Hyman is also known for her covers of popular songs, which include renditions of "Betcha by Golly Wow", "Here's That Rainy Day", and "What You Won't Do For Love".

Hyman also performed on Broadway in the 1981 musical revue Sophisticated Ladies, which ran from 1981 until 1983. The revue, based on the music of Duke Ellington, earned her a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

After an extended struggle with her mental health, Hyman died by suicide in 1995 at her New York City apartment.

  1. ^ "Phyllis Hyman Page". Soulwalking.co.uk.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Eyc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Black Music Archive (July 10, 2022). EXPLAINED || Phyllis Hyman's Voice. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference LarkinSM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).