Peter Yarrow, member of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, passes away at 86
Peter Yarrow, the renowned singer-songwriter who formed one-third of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for their soulful harmonies that championed civil rights and opposed war, the group captivated millions. Yarrow, who co-authored the timeless "Puff the Magic Dragon," succumbed to bladder cancer on Tuesday in New York, as announced by his publicist, Ken Sunshine.
"Our courageous dragon has grown weary and has reached the final chapter of his extraordinary life," shared his daughter Bethany in a poignant tribute. "The world recognizes Peter Yarrow as a folk legend and activist, but the man behind the music was equally as generous, imaginative, passionate, playful, and wise as his lyrics portray."
Throughout the 1960s, Yarrow, alongside Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, achieved remarkable success. They released six Billboard Top 10 singles, two chart-topping albums, and won five Grammy Awards. The trio also helped introduce Bob Dylan to a wider audience by transforming his songs "Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right" and "Blowin’ in the Wind" into Billboard hits. Their performance of "Blowin’ in the Wind" at the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, remains etched in history.
After pursuing individual careers for eight years, Yarrow, Stookey, and Travers reunited in 1978 for an anti-nuclear concert, "Survival Sunday," organized by Yarrow in Los Angeles. They continued performing together until Travers' passing in 2009. Yarrow and Stookey carried on, both solo and as a duo.
Born on May 31, 1938, in New York, Yarrow was nurtured in a family that valued art and intellect. Initially trained in violin, he eventually embraced the guitar, inspired by folk legends like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Graduating from Cornell University in 1959 with a psychology degree, Yarrow's true passion lay in music, which he discovered while leading a class in American folklore during his senior year.
"I took the job to earn money, hoping to wash fewer dishes and play more guitar," Yarrow recounted to Joe Smith, a late record executive. Through music, he realized its profound emotional impact on audiences. "I saw conservative students at Cornell opening their hearts through folk music," he reflected. "It signaled a movement where folk music and I could play a pivotal role."
Returning to New York, Yarrow met impresario Albert Grossman, who sought to assemble a group to rival the Kingston Trio. Yarrow suggested Noel Stookey, a humorous guitarist from Greenwich Village. Stookey, who would use his middle name in the group, was acquainted with Travers, who overcame stage fright after discovering how well her voice harmonized with Yarrow's and Stookey's.
"Our first performance was serendipitous," Yarrow recalled. "We sang 'Mary Had a Little Lamb,' and it was instantly magical. We knew we had something special."
Their debut album, "Peter, Paul and Mary," reached the top of the Billboard charts in 1962. Subsequent albums like "In the Wind" and "Moving" solidified their prominence. Their repertoire addressed war and injustice, featuring songs like Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" and Dylan's "Blowin’ in the Wind."
The trio also displayed tenderness with "Puff the Magic Dragon," a song Yarrow penned with Leonard Lipton during his college years. The tale of Jackie Paper and his imaginary dragon friend, Puff, symbolized the loss of childhood innocence. Despite speculation of drug references, Yarrow maintained it was purely about growing up.
After their final No. 1 hit, a cover of John Denver’s "Leaving on a Jet Plane" in 1969, they disbanded to explore solo paths. That year, Yarrow faced legal troubles, pleading guilty to indecent liberties with a minor. He served three months in jail and received a pardon from President Jimmy Carter in 1981, for which he expressed remorse throughout his life.
Yarrow continued to write and co-write songs, achieving hits like "Torn Between Two Lovers" for Mary MacGregor. His work earned an Emmy nomination for the animated film "Puff the Magic Dragon." Later compositions include the civil rights anthem "No Easy Walk to Freedom" and the peace-promoting "Light One Candle."
Yarrow married Mary Beth McCarthy, niece of Democratic Sen. Eugene McCarthy, after meeting her during a campaign. They had two children before divorcing. Yarrow is survived by his wife Marybeth, daughter Bethany, son Christopher, and granddaughter Valentina.
