INTRODUCTION

HER STORY

QUOTES

Phyllis Hyman was her actual birth name. Once, during a backstage interview some reporter asked if Hyman was her real name. She said, "Yes, it is," and he said something to the effect of it being a strange surname for a performer. She retorted, "But you remember it though, don't you, honey?" And she turned away from him and started chatting with a fan - thereby ending the interview.

Her voice was featured on nationally heard jingles from Burger King, Red Lobster, American Airlines, Mastercard & Lysol to name but a few.

Spent 2 and a half years starring in "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway - the hit musical tribute to Duke Ellington. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance and won the Theater World Award for Best Newcomer.

Once had to travel across town in a speeding NYC firetruck, sirens wailing, to make a matinee performance of "Sophisticated Ladies."

Was totally addicted to the afternoon "soaps". She called them her "stories" and the TV was never off in her apartment or hotel suite. She would even schedule interviews and appointments around them.

Phyllis was married only once - to writer/producer Larry Alexander, who's brother Monty Alexander is a renowned jazz artist.

Used to make up in the limousine en route to her performances.

Was very into beauty treatments and swore by facials and seaweed body-wraps.

She was considered for the role of Shug Avery in the film "The Color Purple."

Two of Phyllis' most important causes were AIDS and the plight of the homeless.

In one week in October 1986 (while promoting her hit album "Living All Alone") Phyllis appeared on the "Tonight Show", "David Letterman", "Nightlife with David Brenner" and "Good Morning America".

She died a few hours before she was due to perform at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Several vials of pills and suicide notes were found near her body, which was discovered by the singer's live-in assistant Lennice Malina.

Suffered from bi-polar disorder (manic depression) in her later life which may have lead to her eventual suicide.

Famous artists including Roberta Flack, George Benson, Stevie Wonder and Ashford & Simpson would go out of their way to hear her perform.

Rumors persist that Phyllis, allegedly, took her life because, her record company, Arista, had promised her she would be the next Diana Ross, however dropping her when they signed Whitney Houston to the label.