On June 30th, 1995, we lost award-winning singer, session vocalist, solo recording artist, songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, guitarist, model, actress, and Phyllis Hyman was born in New York City, New York. She’s most known for her work with Norman Connors from the mid 1970's, and her solo work from then thru the early 1990's. She also did some acting in a few movies, dating back to the 1974 Dustin Hoffman film Lenny. She also appeared in School Daze (1988), and The Kill Reflex (1990). Her legacy began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was raised (she was born in Philadelphia). She became a member of the bands New Direction, All The People, and The Hondo Beat. Later she started her own band Phyllis Hyman & The P/H Factor.
Epic Records took notice, and signed her to their subsidiary Roadshow/Desert Moon Records. She moved to New York City and started doing session work for Jon Lucien. In 1976, she started working with Norman Connors on his 1976 LP-You Are My Starship. Connors couldn’t secure Jean Carne so he used Hyman instead. The LP did well and was the springboard that introduced the world to her sultry vocals. She did some session work for Pharoah Sanders and the Fatback Band before releasing her solo debut-Phyllis Hyman (Budhha Records, 1977). Buddha was bought out by Arista Records, and in 1979 Hyman released her second LP which is largely regarded as her best-You Know How to Love Me (Arista). She continued to record, act and do session work up to her death in 1995. Phyllis Hyman was 45 when she passed.
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On June 30th, in 1951, jazz musician, seminal sideman, bassist, composer, songwriter, producer, double bassist, fusion jazz pioneer, Scientologist, multi-label recording artist, founding member of the fusion jazz outfit-Return to Forever, film scorer, co-founder of-the Clarke/Duke Project and record executive-Stanley Clarke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Clarke got his musical start playing accordion in church and at school. He had a swift growth spurt making him over 6 feet tall by age 12. Due to hi physique, he felt more comfortable playing the bass guitar and started taking lessons on double bass. He played for numerous bands during high school as a way to meet girls. After he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts-he moved to New York City (1971).
He immediately started playing session work for Art Blakey, Pharoah Sanders, Dexter Gordon and Horace Silver. In 1973, he formed Return to Forever with Chick Corea. They were a fusion jazz band consisting of-Flora Purim (vocals), Corea (piano/keys), Joe Farrell (sax/flute), Airto Moreira (drums) and Clarke (bass). They released a few LPs in the early 70s before Clarke released his solo debut-Children of Forever (produced by Corea, 1973). Corea also introduced Clarke to Scientology and Clarke became a member in 1971. He worked with Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones (mid/late 70s). In the 80s, he started scoring for television shows and films-Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Boyz n the Hood, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Soul Food, The Best Man Holiday, Static Shock and Passenger 57. He started his own record company in 2010-Roxboro Entertainment Group.
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On June 30th, in 1943, soul vocalist, Motown recording artist, solo artist, former Supreme and the original lead singer of the group-Florence Ballard (all-c) was born in Detroit, Michigan. TOV covered the artist’s death on the February 22nd post. Please refer to it for more information. She’s most known as the ‘troubled’ member of the all-female trio called the Supremes (with Diana Ross & Mary Wilson). Florence came from a huge family being the 8th child of 13. Her father Jesse-a guitarist got her started in music, teaching her songs and backing her on guitar. In her teens, they moved to the Brewster-Douglass housing projects and this where she met future Primettes-Mary Wilson, Betty McGlown and Diana Ross (late 50s). In 1960, they auditioned for Motown, but were turned down.
It’s important to note that Ballard was the lead singer of the Primes. She was sexually assaulted later that year and her whole demeanor changed. She stopped interacting with friends, going outside, socializing, etc. The sexual encounter changed her life. They signed with LuPine Records late in 1960. In 1961, Berry Gordy agreed to sign them if they changed their name, and Ballard chose the Supremes. They released a few unsuccessful singles with Ballard on lead (early 60s). Florence replaced Wanda Young of the Marvelettes on 1962’s Motortown Revue. Diana sang lead on their 1963 hit single-When the Love Light Starts Shining Through His Eyes. It did well which prompted Gordy to make Diana the lead. His assumption of Ballard being unable to the lead singer of the group was further justified when their 1964 single-Where Did Our Love Go became their first #1 hit. Ballard was 32 when she passed.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On June 30th, in 1917, Harlem Renaissance entertainer, singer, dancer, actress, Civil Rights activist and seminal jazz vocalist-Lena (Mary Calhoun) Horne was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NYC, NY. TOV covered the artist’s death on the May 9th post. Please refer to it for more information. Lena was a trailblazing performer that opened the doors for generations of young women of color that would follow her. During her 70 year career she danced at the Cotton Club, sang at several concert halls and nightclubs worldwide, acted in films, on television and on stage, fought for equal rights for Blacks in the states, and collaborated with the biggest stars of her time. She was 92 when she passed.
On June 30th, in 1931, jazz musician, pianist, composer, celeste player, sideman, arranger, producer, harpsichord player, multi-label recording artist and bandleader-Andrew Hill was born in Chicago, Illinois. He’s most known for his session work and compositions for Blue Note Records during the mid 50s-60s. He also was an innovator in free jazz and avant-garde music during the 70s. He’s played with many of the greats like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Roland Kirk, Johnny Hartman, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Chambers, Tony Williams, Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Eric Dolphy, Elvin Jones and Hank Mobley. He was 75 when he passed.
On June 30th, in 1966, 80s/90s/2000s pop culture figure, hip hop music icon, boxer, and former heavyweight champion of the World-Iron Mike Tyson (Michael Gerard Tyson) was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NYC, NY. He amassed a professional record of 50 wins 6 losses and 2 No Contests. 44 of his wins came by knockout, a dozen of which ended in the first round. Mike Tyson is probably the first, second or third most referenced athlete by rappers and MCs-Michael Jordan and O.J. Simpson being either first, second or third. His physical prowess, intimidation techniques, skill and sheer punching power made him instantly infamous among MCs. He’s 53 today.
On June 30th, in 2001, we lost a seminal jazz musician, sideman, saxophonist, composer, bandleader, multi-label recording artist, fusion jazz pioneer, arranger, producer, bassist and flautist-Joe Henderson. TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the April 24th post. Please refer to it for more information. He was a prominent musician that got his start in the Detroit jazz scene in the mid 50s. He recorded several LPs as a bandleader for Blue Note, Milestones and Verve Records. He also worked with numerous musicians like Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Grant Green, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, Andrew Hill, Freddie Hubbard and Flora Purim. He was 64 when he passed.
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