Peter Yarrow of folk-music group Peter, Paul and Mary dies
American singer and songwriter Peter Yarrow performing at the Newport Folk Festival at Freebody Park on Rhode Island, USA, 23rd-26th July 1964. (Credit: Gai Terrell/Redferns/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - Peter Yarrow, a singer-songwriter known as one-third of the folk-music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died. He was 86 years old.
His publicist Ken Sunshine confirmed the news in a statement, telling the Associated Press that he died Tuesday in New York. Yarrow had bladder cancer for the past four years.
"Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life," Yarrow’s daughter Bethany said in a statement. "The world knows Peter Yarrow the iconic folk activist, but the human being behind the legend is every bit as generous, creative, passionate, playful, and wise as his lyrics suggest."
During an incredible run of success spanning the 1960s, Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers released six Billboard Top 10 singles, two No. 1 albums and won five Grammys. Yarrow also co-wrote the group's most enduring song, "Puff the Magic Dragon."
The group brought early exposure to Bob Dylan by turning two of his songs, "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Blowin' in the Wind," into Billboard Top 10 hits as they helped lead an American renaissance in folk music.
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Along with his group, Yarrow became deeply committed to the Civil Rights Movement, which brought them to Washington in 1963 to sing at the historic August 28, 1963, March On Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the historic Selma-Montgomery March in 1965.
The singer explored his talents in filmmaking as well, producing the critically acclaimed feature, "You are What You Eat," as well as co-producing three CBS network animated television specials based on "Puff, the Magic Dragon," for which he received an Emmy nomination.
In addition to daughter Bethany, he is survived by his wife, Marybeth, son Christopher, and granddaughter Valentina.