Phyllis Hyman Death

TV One Announces Black Music Month ...

*TV One will mark Black Music Month in June with a lineup of movies, music and new episodes of “Unsung,” the network announced.

Each Saturday night throughout the month, TV One will feature a concert with some of the top names in music, including Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan and Usher.

On Monday nights at 10, new episodes of “Unsung” will premiere. As previously reported, this season includes specials on Deniece Williams, The Spinners, Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle, Big Daddy Kane, The Ohio Players and Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Highlights of the month include (all times ET):

Saturday, June 4

8 PM   The Fighting Temptations – Cuba Gooding, Jr. stars as a New York advertising executive who must create a winning gospel choir in a small town before he can collect an inheritance and engages the help of a beautiful lounge singer (Beyoncé) with whom he soon falls in love. Also features Angie Stone, Mary Mary, the O’Jays, and Faith Evans (repeats at 12:30 AM)

10:30P    Beyoncé I Am Yours. . . Live From Las Vegas – a two-hour concert special featuring Beyoncé performing some of her greatest hits.  Always an electrifying performer, Beyoncé pulls out all the stops in this unforgettable intimate show filmed live at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Performances includes her chart topping solo hits such as “Single Ladies,” “Halo” and irreplaceable”, as well as some Destiny’s Child favorites.

Sunday, June 5

Noon   TV One Night Only: Live From the Essence Music Festival 2009 -  a two-hour musical extravaganza featuring the best performances from the country’s largest annual gathering celebrating African-American music and culture. This 2009 special features performances by Beyoncé, Anita Baker, Robin Thicke, John  Legend, Ne-Yo, Teena Marie, En Vogue, Charlie Wilson, Salt N Pepa, and Jazmine Sullivan.

2 PM   Unsung marathon – In preparation for a new season of TV One’s NAACP Image Award-winning series Unsung, TV One airs a special Unsung marathon of favorite episodes from the past three seasons, from 2 PM – 2 AM, featuring Stacy Lattisaw, Sylvester, DeBarge, Phyllis Hyman, Shalamar, Teddy Pendergrass, Tammi Terrell, the O’Jays, Roger and Zapp, Teena Marie, Angela Winbush, and Miki Howard.

Remembering, Missing Phyllis Hyman » SOULBOUNCE.COM

Statuesque and magnificent, Phyllis Hyman visually represented the ideal of a modern-day goddess. Over six feet tall in heels and donning headgear reminiscent of the crowns worn by Egyptian royalty, Phyllis was a sight to behold. When she opened her mouth to sing, the image of divinity was further cinched. 

Whether you first heard of her, like I did, when listening to  Norman Conners'  "You Are My Starship" when I was in elementary school and a burgeoning music lover, or later, when she made a cameo in  Spike Lee 's   movie School Daze , you could not help but be mesmerized with her rich, vibrant vocals magnified by a penetrating delivery. My list of Phyllis favorites spans the years--from "Betcha By Golly Wow" and "You Know How To Love Me" to "Living All Alone" and "Meet Me On The Moon." My love affair with her voice never faltered.

When I first heard of her passing 15 years ago yesterday, I was a recent college graduate with the hope of the world on my shoulders. I thought anything was possible. But not that. Not her death and the way she died. To learn that her death was owed to the feelings of lonliness and depression that had enveloped her was devastating to comprehend. Her death shattered my naivete in an instant and honed in the truth that those in the public eye are, above all, human beings. Human, and with feelings that ran painfully deep, Phyllis Hyman left our world physically, yet, her voice remains our treasured gift that will forever be remembered as legendary. 

I just wanted to take the time to say that I miss you, Phyllis.

Jet

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