June 30th has become somewhat a day of melancholy for me. I'll never forget June 30, 1995. I was driving through downtown Atlanta. I was listening to a jazz station and remember hearing Phyllis Hyman and teh word "dead" in the same sentence. I literally had to pull over in a parking lot on Peachtree. Oh, no, no, no, it can't be true I thought. Not Phyllis! But alas, it was true. I actually did not discover Phyllis and that wonderful voice until the release of her album Living All Alone in 1986. I heard Old Friend on the radio and could not figure out who in the hell was singing such a beautiful song. I had never heard that voice before. It was so rich and smooth. Was it a male or female? I listened intently waiting for the DJ to announce the song and artist. Phyllis Hyman. Who? I had never heard of her. I called my Dad to ask him about her. He is the number one music man and I knew he could provide some info. "Oh yeah", he said. "Phyllis has been around a long time". A long time? Where? He then proceeded to break down a little of her history. From that day on, I have been a true Phyllis Hyman fan. I sought out tapes and albums, CD's were not that big yet. I know all of her music now. I have a copy of Sophisticated Ladies. And only went to see the movie School Daze because of her appearance.
Phyllis decided to kill her self.
On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Phyllis Hyman committed suicide with vodka and an overdose of temazepam. She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre by her close beau Terrance Porter . A suicide note read, "I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you." It is thought that the last part of the message was for her family and fans. Phyllis Hyman was buried on what would have been her 46th birthday, July 6, 1995.
Phyllis was depressed and suffered a long life of being bi-polar. She never could get the right medicine. If only the doctors knew then what they know now. But since we do know, we need to be aware. If you have a friend or relative that is constantly depressed or seems to never be able to get it together, get them some help quick. Phyllis was depressed about her life and the hand she had supposedly been served. She just couldn't see that hand in a positive light. She was tall, thick and loud. Many things that I am myself. LOL! But she couldn't see it in a positive light. She is a constant reminder to me to love myself NO MATTER WHAT. It has to be done. This world will take you down if you allow it to do so. One cannot allow it to do so. Phyllis never got married, nor did she have children. If you are interested, I strongly suggest you read her authorized biography. It can be ordered here:
http://www.phyllishymanstory.com/
It is quite eye opening. And explains much about this wonderful tortured soul.
I also found this piece of interview footage on youtube. Check it out also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYKx28OOdws
And last but not least, check out Phyllis singing one of my favorite tunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lrqnEOMcs
So, I just wanted to share this with you all. Many of you may be Phyllis fans too. Light a candle and listen to a CD. That voice was pure magic. No one compares to it.
Phyllis I miss you and love you.
My hope is that many, many women will know your story and benefit from your sadness by loving themselves and getting help if needed. Your death will not be in vain. Rest in peace girl.
Nicole
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing with us. I didnt know the specifics but I knew that she was unhappy to say the least. She was from my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. I miss her sooo much. Mikki Howard reminds me of her but there is only one Phyllis Hyman and as long as we continue to love her and her music her spirit will continue to live on.
Peace and Blessings,
msKimani
Always have loved Ms. Hyman's voice. Did not know she was Bi-polar. I am 42, a singer and bi-polar. This moved me alot. Thanks for the post brother.
Thank you Brutha,
for leaving this door open to speak about the importance of mental health especially when we can learn so much from an icon like PHYLLIS LINDA (PEPPER) HYMAN. People states that her latter work was dark and sad, I didn't see that at all. I saw a woman who sang about the way that she wished her like was and I believe that what she is saying is that even though---- you don't have to go through this pain or this relationship that I just went through. Her songs may have been dark and sad to others but they brought up my sunshine and made me happy because i was being told what to look for
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