Phyllis Hyman

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. 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). 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 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 Hyman a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

After an extended struggle with mental health issues, Hyman died by suicide in 1995, aged 45, at her New York City apartment.

Death

Hyman suffered from bipolar disorder and depression for years, having been diagnosed in the 1980s. She often self-medicated with alcohol and drugs, and frequently spoke about suicide. On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Hyman died by suicide, overdosing on a mixture of tuinal, a sleeping pill, and vodka in the bedroom of her New York City apartment at 211 West 56th Street. She was found unconscious at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) and died at 3:50 p.m. at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital (now Mount Sinai West), hours before she had been scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theater. Her suicide note read in part:

Hyman was cremated after an autopsy was performed. A memorial service was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Manhattan.