R.I.P. - Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary) passed away on 07.01.2025

The American songwriter, musician and singer Peter Yarrow, probably best known for his membership in the folk band Peter, Paul & Mary, died on January 7, 2025 at the age of 86. He succumbed to cancer. The trio initially existed from 1961 to 1970 and during this time received platinum awards for two albums and gold awards for four more. At the beginning of the 1970s, the trio split up and Yarrow released a handful of solo albums, none of which were anywhere near as successful as the albums with his band. He also worked as a producer, including for the band Lazarus.

In 1978, Peter, Paul & Mary got back together and released the little-noticed comeback album "Reunion". Nevertheless, the Americans stayed together - at least officially - until the death of Mary Travers in 2009. Other albums were released sporadically, but Yarrow's main income came primarily from royalties for old songs such as "Puff, The Magic Dragon", which he co-composed. In 1970, the New Yorker was convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, for which he served a three-month prison sentence. He was pardoned in early 1981 by former President Jimmy Carter, who also died recently.

Rest in peace, Peter.

Peter, Paul and Mary - If I Had A Hammer (1963 performance)

Puff The Magic Dragon -- Peter, Paul & Mary ~ Live 1965

 

Puff the magic dragon, the metaphor for the falling away of the scales of youth from the eyes of adulthood. What was a fairy tale became slang for cannabis.

It was a world in transition.


They were quite well known in the 1960's

onward spins the world and all aboard are eventually spun off into the void...

 

I agree...

thanks to this trio, the world learned the songs of Bob Dylan…

and this song shocked me at the time:

Peter, Paul and Mary - Blowing in the Wind

 

Early in the Morning (2004 Remaster)

Where Have All the Flowers Gone (2004 Remaster)