Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story [Paperback]

Jason A. Michael (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2007

The story of singer Phyllis Hyman is brought to light in the powerful new biography Strength Of A Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story by Jason A. Michael. Hyman's 20-year career, which included the release of eight albums as well as a Tony nomination and Theater World Award for her Broadway turn in Sophisticated Ladies, was brought to a tragic end by her suicide June 30, 1995, just hours before she was due to take the stage at the legendary Apollo Theatre. 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, and the demands and constraints of being a female African-American entrepreneur in an industry controlled by white men. But though she ultimately chose to extricate herself from the pain, she did so not before leaving a legacy of beautiful music that will last and live on forever as a true testament to the 'strength of a woman.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

As riveting and poignant as it is unsettling and revealing. --The New York Amsterdam News

Candid and multi-layered. --The Philadelphia Tribune

Riveting and no-holds-barred. --Sister 2 Sister

About the Author

Essence best selling author Jason A. Michael, a native Detroit and, in fact, a Spirit of Detroit award winner, earned his bachelors degree in journalism from Wayne State University. His work has appeared in the anthologies Journeys Across The Rainbow: Inspirational Stories for the Human Race (Rainbow Pride Press) and America Now (Bedford/St. Martin's Press). Jason has a passion for urban music and spent a decade in the employ of Grammy-award-winning songwriter and soul diva Betty Wright. As an entertainment writer he has interviewed everyone from Motown legends Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson to Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle. Outside of the urban genre, he has interviewed such wide ranging celebrities as Dolly Parton, Melissa Etheridge and even Boy George. Told by a laundry list of publishing houses that no one remembered Phyllis and that there was no market for a book about her, Jason formed his own imprint, JAM Books, on which to release her story.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: JAM Books; 2nd edition (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979489008
• ISBN-13: 978-0979489006
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,434,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-resd for any and all Phyllis Hyman fans. December 17, 2007

By Justo Roteta

I must first thank Mr. Michael for writing such an in-depth but sensitive biography of the late great Phyllis Hyman. Everything from her poverty-stricken childhood to her tumultous relationship with Arista Records' boss Clive Davis to her never-ending battle with chronic depression and bipolar disorder is covered. It's truly sad to think that someone as talented and gifted as Phyllis was unable to overcome her personal demons (despite really tring to). Sadly, we now know that (for all her beauty and talent) Phyllis was a tortured soul whose inner pain and insecurity led her to self-destructive behavior--unfortunately, those around her wouldn't (or couldn't) understand why. If you are a Phyllis Hyman fan you really should get this book but know that it IS heartbreaking as it is (to some degree) like watching a home video of her childhood up to her suicide at the age of 45. In retrospect, the real reason why Phyllis sounded so convincing on romantic ballads which dealt with pain, betrayal and lost love was because their lyrics mirrored her own experiences.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Strength of Good Storytelling January 24, 2008

By John L. Hughes, Jr.

STRENGTH OF A WOMAN is a self-published biography of troubled r&b singer Phyllis Hyman. Author Jason Michael's book is a thoroughly researched, thought-provoking piece of work that elegently honors the smooth soul singer while sensitively exploring Hyman's troubles with bipolar disorder, depression and mental illness. Throughout this excellent biography, Michael treats his subject like royalty, warts and all. And the print quality of this self-published book would put most major publishers to shame. Be warned, once you start reading this biography, you don't want to put it down. It's like being glued to a good mystery novel.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tell All But Not Sleazy January 7, 2008

By Landis

An excellent biography. Phyllis Hyman is my favorite singer of all time. I now know why there was such long periods when we had no new product from her. It was heartbreaking to read the part of Shug Avery was hers and she let it slip through her fingers. Mr. Jason has done a fantastic job of telling her story warts and all without making it tabloid.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost In Divadom January 13, 2008

By M. Bell VINE™ VOICE

Hyman left us too soon. Talent and beauty can be a deadly combination in "this business we call show". The true Queen of Quiet Storm had alot of issues. But, one thing was clear. She could sing! Hallelujah, thank God her recordings remain for us all to enjoy. This book is a good read if you desire to get the behind the scenes on a druggie diva that never really got clean.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE NEXT BEST THING TO BEING HER FRIEND.... April 21, 2008

By Alison M. Cooper

This really is the most wonderful book. I eagerly devoured it - it reads so well and is absolutely fascinating. I have been constantly engrossed, amazed and thrilled at the level of detail Jason Michael was able to go into in this truly no holds barred account of the amazing Phyllis Hyman who is still so sadly missed. His book is the absolute bible of her amazing and tragic life and yet told with maximum respect. Strength of a Woman allows us to live with her again and through her life quite intimately.

As I finished the book this morning, I have been feeling a sort of grief today - although the end was inevitable, it's all just so terribly tragic.

In a beautiful writing style, here is a story which definitely needed telling.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Collectors Item August 12, 2008

By Carolyn E. Gordon

Strength of a Woman is the best book I've read in a longgggggggggg time. It answers a lot of my questions about what her troubles were all about. After reading the book I realize what many of her troubles were. The author Jason Michael probably only captured a part of what she was dealing with. What we do know is that it was too much for her to bear. For that I'm sorry ! She was an awesome entertainer !Her music will continue to entertain us for many years to come !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I discovered Phyllis late, in 1990 December 4, 2008

By D. K. Heinemeyer

I remember listening to Phyllis Hyman on Smooth Jazz (106.1) in Philadelphia in the early 90s. Her voice was sensational, the range and depth of her emotions powerful. I knew very little about her personally though, and when I heard that she had committed suicide in 1995, I was deeply saddened and shocked. How could she do this!? I thought. How selfish!

Thank you Jason Michael for filling in the blanks. I devoured your book in a week. Well-written, excellent documentation and anecdotes from friends and relatives. Jason takes you along on Phyllis's hard fought battles: from dealing with the difficulties in the recording industry to her own personal demons. Phyllis's struggle with bipolar depression and her self-medication unfold in tragic way.

This book is a must-read for anyone who is even remotely interested in Ms. Hyman, or who wants to know about the cut-throat goings-on behind the scenes in the record business. It's not pretty. But it is real, and the author captures her story perfectly. And to Phyllis, we'll never forget you, or your amazing voice. Rest in Peace, my Philly sister.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential for any Phyllis fan April 5, 2008

By Nicholas

As Patti LaBelle says on the back cover, there are so many people who've been waiting so long for this. I was only 14 when Phyllis died, so I didn't know much about her, nor did her music really resonate with me at that age. Now that I'm an adult, however, she's one of my absolute favorite singers.
This book unlocks many mysteries about this sorely misunderstood and underrated talent. Sometimes, it seems scandalous, but the unfortunate events in Phyllis' life were most often the results of her addiction and disease, not flaws in her temperment. It seems a shame how many opportunities she passed by (or often destroyed), but this eye-opening book really sheds light on the motivation behind so many of her decisions.
On a technical level, the book could use an editor to fix some minor stylistic flaws. However, that certainly didn't pull me away from the book. I couldn't put it down and finished it just the day after I began reading it. I couldn't recommend this book any more highly.