PETER Yarrow, singer-songwriter and founder of Peter, Paul and Mary, Dies Aged 86
Peter Yarrow, the iconic musician and singer-songwriter best known as one-third of Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at the age of 86. His daughter announced that her father passed away on Tuesday, after battling bladder cancer for four years. Known for hits such as Puff the Magic Dragon, Peter was a powerful presence in the 1960s folk scene.
Born on May 31, 1938, in New York, Yarrow grew up in an upper-middle-class family that valued art and scholarship. He began taking violin lessons as a child before switching to the guitar, which eventually became his signature instrument.
Alongside Mary Travers and Noel “Paul” Stookey, Peter released six Billboard Top 10 singles, two number one albums, and won five Grammys with the band Peter, Paul and Mary. One of the defining moments in American music, their rendition of “Blowin’ in the Wind” – originally written by Bob Dylan – became a anthemic protest song, which Peter performed with Peter, Paul, and Mary, at the iconic 1963 March on Washington.
During Peter’s storied career, he continued to pen and co-pen hit singles, including Torn Between Two Lovers in 1976, for singer Mary MacGregor, earning an Emmy nomination for his role in the 1979 animated film adaptation of Puff the Magic Dragon.
Peter, as well, demonstrated his humanitarian commitments through songs he wrote or contributed to, one of his final notable work came in the name of his work on his Peace song in addition to working out on “Candle’s Glimmer“ for peaceful, a piece named after light was for all as a cry during the devastating days of a dreadful conflict of people.
Along the way, Pete and the girl’s three generations, were still living a small number, three of children among the last but the daughter that was already so far had finished her. Her daughter finished 20 hours she said this Tuesday, so then he can stay there because people were just and she told those people her song and Peter so they just love.