Peter Yarrow, the celebrated folk singer-songwriter from the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died on January 7, 2024, at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, after battling bladder cancer for the past four years. Yarrow's death marks the end of an era for folk music and activism, as he was not only known for his evocative lyrics and warm tenor but also for his significant contributions to civil rights and peace movements.
Yarrow was born on May 31, 1938, to Ukrainian-Jewish parents who instilled the importance of culture and scholarship. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in psychology, he became part of the burgeoning folk scene of Greenwich Village, where he met his future bandmates, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers. The trio formed Peter, Paul and Mary, making their debut at the Bitter End nightclub in 1961 and quickly became prominent figures of the 1960s folk revival.
They captured hearts across America with timeless hits like “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Their music not only entertained but also conveyed powerful messages of peace and social justice, culminating in performances at significant events such as the March on Washington where Yarrow sang the poignant “Blowin’ in the Wind.” His daughter, Bethany Yarrow, shared, “Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life,” highlighting both the man and the artist he represented.
Alongside their six Top 10 hits and five Grammy Awards, Peter, Paul and Mary became increasingly involved with political activism. From campaigning against the Vietnam War to advocating for civil rights, their music served as both entertainment and provocation. The essence of Yarrow’s activism was summed up when he remarked, “People can overcome their differences, and when united, move toward a world of greater fairness and justice.” His songs helped push social issues front and center at a time when the nation was fraught with tension.
His legacy, though illuminated by his music and kindness, also faced shadows from his past. Yarrow pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a minor back in 1970 and served three months of incarceration, only to have his reputation marred by the incident. Yarrow expressed deep remorse, stating, “I fully support the current movements demanding equal rights for all and refusing to allow continued abuse and injury — most particularly of a sexual nature, of which I am, with great sorrow, guilty.” His lifelong fight for justice and advocacy, especially against bullying through his initiative Operation Respect, speaks to his complexity as both artist and activist.
Despite the controversies, Yarrow remained committed to music and activism, participating actively with his musical partner Stookey even after Travers’ death in 2009. They performed together until his health prevented him from continuing, yet the essence of their music and message lives on. Stookey remarked about their relationship, “Politically astute and emotionally vulnerable, perhaps Peter was both of the brothers I never had… and I will deeply miss both of him.” Yarrow leaves behind poignant memories through music, his children Christopher and Bethany, and his recent re-marriage to Mary Beth McCarthy.
Peter Yarrow's legacy can be summarized not just by the lyrics of “Puff, the Magic Dragon” or their role on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but also through the friendships he nurtured, the lives he touched, and the movements he championed. His voice will echo through generations, and the world remembers him for the joy he brought and the battles he fought.