PHYLLIS HYMAN: The Strength of A Woman

Posted Sep 21st 2007 10:31AM by Felicia Pride
Filed under: More Than Words

Late songtress Phyllis Hyman is immortalized in a new biography recently released this month. Written by journalist Jason A. Michael, STRENGTH OF A WOMAN: THE PHYLLIS HYMAN STORY chronicles her 20-year career up to its tragic end when she committed suicide in 1995. Here's a brief description of the book:

In the spotlight, Hyman's breathtaking voice and stunning beauty shone brightly. But off stage, after the applause and the laughter produced by her bawdy humor had faded, Hyman spent her days and nights engaged in an exhausting battle against bipolar disorder. Complicating its crippling effects was Hyman's addiction to drugs and alcohol (which she tried repeatedly to kick) as well as the demands and constraints of being a female African-American entrepreneur in an industry controlled by white men.

Though she ultimately chose to extricate herself from the pain of her disease, she left behind a legacy of beautiful music that will live on forever as a true testament to the Strength of a Woman.

About the book, legend Patti LaBelle said, "There are a million people who love Phyllis Hyman and who have been waiting for this. STRENGTH OF A WOMAN is a fitting tribute to a terrific talent."

Apparently, the manuscript for STRENGTH OF A WOMAN was rejected by several publishing houses because they didn't think that Hyman was a big enough star, and thus folks wouldn't remember her. A frustrated Michael decided that the only way the project would materialize is if he did.

So he founded JAM Books and published the book himself. Now he's trying to rally Hyman fans to support the project and help spread the word.

On his website Michael writes:

I need all Phyllis Hyman fans to join me in this crusade to take her message and her story to the masses. I know in my heart, have known for some time, that it would be Phyllis's dedicated and devoted fans that were going to make this story happen, and make it happen in a big way! Phyllis fans are everywhere, all across the country and world, and you know what they say about six degrees of separation, right?

The big publishing houses, which thought Phyllis was too small a star for them to be bothered with, have massive marketing and publicity teams. I don't. But what I have is you, and I think that puts me ahead in the game. You will be my street team and be a critical component in the marketing and publicity of this book. You, who love Phyllis, understand that her story needs to be told, deserves to be told, and must be told.

If you're a Phyllis Hyman fan, you can support the project at www.phyllishymanstory.com.

Reader Comments

1. She had such a rich,sultry voice. Loved her music from the beginning. Just wish it could have been here longer.A great artist.

Mae at 12:51PM on Sep 21st 2007

2. What a loss, she waS TERRIFIC

Tina at 1:25PM on Sep 22nd 2007

3. I remember her suicide like yesterday and it has literally been more than ten years ago. I wish she would have been treated for her bipolar disorder early-on. Maurice Benard p/k/a Sonny Corinthos of "General Hospital" has been a candid and popular voice in his own personal battle with bipolar disorder and how he deals with the illness. If only Phyllis Hyman could have been educated like him, she could have been treated and would still be with us today. Benard is a role model (in my opinion) and successfully proves that a person can live a healthy, enriched, and fulfilling life with bipolar disorder. I hope Ms. Hyman can rest in peace now that this tome has been written. Live. Laugh. Love. TeYoJe

TeYoJe Polk at 9:29PM on Sep 22nd 2007

4. Phyllis was an icon that never received her just due R.E.S.P.E.C.T! I think mainly because she was way ahead of her time for some. However, from my prespective, when you listened to her it was more of an experience! To see her in concert was indefinable...she could literally touch you with her penetrating and spellbounding voice --she made you empathize and realize what she was feeling. She was the epitomy of "can you feel me?" There's only a minute few artists in the same class as Phyllis! However, she's STILL the leader of the pack! And we STILL have Patti! Ironically, but surely it was intentionally arranged to be the last song on her final CD, "I won't leave you ...if you give me one good reason to stay." Was she asking for help??? It broke me down.... May she rest in peace with the Comforter of us all. I can't wait to read this book!

I STILL salute you, Phyllis! and THANK YOU for the experience!!

Toojazze at 1:14PM on Sep 23rd 2007

5. I am still greiving over the tragic way she died. may God forgive and give her peace. She was one of my favorite singers. She was beautiful,talented and made us tall females proud. What a waste. Only God knows what she was going thru directly. Will get her new CD.

Laura Mahalale-El at 2:44PM on Sep 23rd 2007

6. Excuse me, Book.

Laura Mahalale-El at 2:47PM on Sep 23rd 2007

7. I would love to read this book. I have everything that Ms.Hyman put out. I still listen to her music and the messages in her music, that I felt she lived.I also have the Jet which tells the story of her death. Tall, Beautiful and Talented all wraped up in one. Just As Tall Ms. Carol Jones-Jones

Ms. Carol Jones-Jones at 7:47AM on Sep 24th 2007

8. I thought she died in 1989.

Jamie Jefferson at 7:54AM on Sep 24th 2007

9. Had we known then what we know today about bipolar she would be a top star today. She still is in my book. I would never forget her voice. TALENTED! God bless her soul!

Iyesa Innes at 8:29AM on Sep 24th 2007

10. phyliss hyman/ billie holliday. soulful singers tragic end. kind of look alike!ladies we need too step up and love ourselves

cissy at 8:50AM on Sep 24th 2007

11. I had the pleasure to meet Ms. Hyman in Miami. It was one of the most memorable nights in my life. The moment I saw her, I ran and hugged her as if she were and "Old Friend". She was very approachable and a wonderful person. When I asked her for her autograph, she told me "I am not signing a napkin". So I reached into my pocket and grabbed a twenty dollar bill which she signed for me. I still have that twenty dollar bill a the cd cover that I saved it in. I miss her voice and which she was still around. R.I.P. Ms. Hyman!!! The greatest female voice that I have heard in my 40 years!!!!

Bobby at 9:10AM on Sep 24th 2007

12. I love Phyllis Hyman I also, still listen to her music and I will be looking forward to buying a copy of the book.

Denise at 9:41AM on Sep 24th 2007

13. I look forward to the book coming out, when was that again? I feel sad everytime I hear her music, because she left us to soon. Thank you in advance Mr. Michaels for telling her story and bringing her back to us, if just for a little while.

AJ at 10:07AM on Sep 24th 2007

14. I am very glad to hear someone is going to put this book on the market for Phyliss of which I will be buying to read, as we all know she was awesome and can not and will not ever be duplicated. Not to mentioned, how beautiful/sharp she was. R.I.P. my sweet sister and only God knows why and what happens in our lives. To all that are reading this blog----"LET GO OF ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS AND LET GOD HANDLE THEM BECAUSE HE KNOW'S WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL US--DON'T GIVE UP....AS I SIT HERE TYPING THIS COMMENT, THE SONG PHYLLIS SANG "THE ANSWER BOY IS YOU" IS RINGING IN MY HEAD WHICH IS CAUSING ME TEAR UP BECAUSE HER VOCALS EMBRACED YOUR NATURAL SOUL....AND TO THE PERSON/S BEHIND THE BOOK THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING THIS CLASSY ICON...I AM DEEPLY TOUCHED.

MISS C at 10:10AM on Sep 24th 2007

15. I AM A FAN OF MS HYMAN. I HAVE BEEN SINCE I CAN REMEMBER AS A YOUNG GIRL. I REMEMBER I AIN'T ASKING, CAN'T WE FALL IN LOVE AGAIN, AND FROM ONE OF HER LAST ALBUMS THE SONG LIVING ALL ALONE IS MY MOST FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME. I AM 34 YEARS OLD AND I REMEMBER HER. I REMEMBER HER BEAUTY, VOICE, THE TALL STATURE SHE WAS. I NEVER KNEW SHE WAS BIPOLAR AND OF COURSE I WOULDNT SEEING THAT SHE DIED WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND I NEVER READ WHERE ANYONE EVER DISCUSSED IT. I OWN A GREATEST HITS OF HERS THAT HAS 2CDS AND MY PARENTS HAVE ALBUMS OF HERS. AS A NURSE I KNOW HOW DEVASTATING BIPOLAR DISORDER IS AND I DO BELIEVE SHE WAS SPEAKING TO US AND ASKING FOR HELP WHICH IS WHY SHE WAS ALWAYS " lIVING IN CONFUSION". HER DEATH WAS TRULY A GREAT LOSS TO US AS A BLACK COMMUNITY IN MUSIC WE DON'T HAVE VOICES LIKE HERS ANYMORE.

carla at 10:11AM on Sep 24th 2007

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