Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman (July 6, 1949 — June 30, 1995) was an American soul singer who released two albums on Buddah in 1977 and 1978, four albums on Arista between 1979 and 1983, and a trio of titles on Philadelphia International Records between 1986 and 1995.

She was born Phyllis Linda Hyman on July 6, 1949, in Philadelphia, Penn., the eldest of seven children born to Louise and Phillip Hyman. She was mostly raised in the South Hills section of Pittsburgh. After leaving town, she attended music school and toured with a sequence of groups (New Direction, All the People, The Hondo Beat). In 1974, she had a bit part in the biographical drama Lenny, starring Dustin Hoffman as comedian Lenny Bruce. For two years, she led an unrecorded band called Phyllis Hyman and the P/H Factor.

In 1975, Hyman came to the attention of musician Norman Connors, who had been unable to secure the services of Jean Carn for his upcoming album. He enlisted Hyman, who sang two tracks on his 1976 release You Are My Starship: “We Both Need Each Other,” a duet with writer Michael Henderson; and “Betcha By Golly Wow,” the Linda Creed, Thom Bell song made famous by The Stylistics.

Also in 1976, she sang on tracks by The Fatback Band, Jon Lucien (“Spring’s Arrival“), and Pharoah Sanders (“As You Are“). Meanwhile, she entered Hollywood’s Total Experience Recording Studios to record her first album.

Discography:

• “Leavin’ the Good Life Behind” (1975)
• “Baby (I’m Gonna Love You)” / “Do Me” (1976)
• Phyllis Hyman (1977)
• Sing a Song (1978)
• Somewhere in My Lifetime (1979)
• You Know How to Love Me (1979)
• Can’t We Fall in Love Again (1981)
• Goddess of Love (1983)
• Living All Alone (1986)
• Prime of My Life (1991)
• I Refuse to Be Lonely (1995)

Sources:

• Discogs: Phyllis Hyman