A pivotal figure in American folk music whose career spanned over six decades has left an indelible mark on the industry's landscape.
According to the Daily Mail, Peter Yarrow, a renowned member of the legendary 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary and writer of the iconic "Puff The Magic Dragon," has died at age 86 after battling bladder cancer for four years.
Tremendous success and significant controversy marked Yarrow's musical journey. The folk singer consistently defended "Puff The Magic Dragon" against widespread speculation about drug references, maintaining that the song explored the universal theme of childhood innocence lost.
His contributions to folk music helped shape the genre during a transformative period in American history.
The trio of Peter, Paul, and Mary emerged as influential voices during the early 1960s folk revival. Their self-titled debut album dominated the charts for weeks, establishing them as leading figures in popularizing folk music.
Together with Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, Yarrow helped create six Top 10 singles in the US, including their number one hit cover of John Denver's "Leavin' On A Jet Plane."
Beyond their commercial success, the group maintained a strong political consciousness. They participated in the March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr., performing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" at the Lincoln Memorial. Their activism extended to various causes, with Yarrow personally supporting anti-Vietnam War efforts and school anti-bullying programs.
The trio's impact continued even after their initial split in 1970. Following their reunion in 1978, they released five more albums over subsequent decades, with their final record appearing in 2003.
Born to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants in Manhattan, Yarrow graduated from Cornell University with a psychology degree in 1959. His musical journey began during his final year at university, where he participated in Harold Thompson's American Folk Literature course, known as "Romp-n-Stomp."
Yarrow addressed his controversial past with candor. Regarding a 1969 incident involving a 14-year-old fan, for which he served three months in prison, he stated:
It was an era of real indiscretion and mistakes by categorically male performers. I was one of them. I got nailed. I was wrong. I'm sorry for it.
Former President Jimmy Carter pardoned Yarrow in 1981, though the incident's impact persisted. In 2019, the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival in New York State canceled his scheduled performance due to renewed attention to the conviction.
Peter Yarrow's passing marks the end of an era in folk music, with Paul Stookey now remaining as the last surviving member of Peter, Paul and Mary following Mary Travers' death in 2009. His career exemplified both the artistic heights and personal controversies that often characterize influential musical figures.
The folk legend's death closes a significant chapter in American music history. Despite the controversies that shadowed parts of his career, Yarrow's musical contributions helped define the folk revival movement of the 1960s, leaving an enduring impact on American popular culture and political activism through music. His passing signals the gradual fade of a generation that used folk music to advocate for social change and challenge societal norms.
