January 7th 2025.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of 60s music legend, Peter Yarrow. The co-founder of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with bladder cancer.
Yarrow, along with his bandmates, forever etched his name in music history with their hit song "Puff The Magic Dragon" which was released back in 1962. His daughter Bethany confirmed the sad news of his passing on Tuesday, sharing in a statement, "Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life."
While the world knows Peter Yarrow as the iconic folk activist, his daughter reminded us of the human being behind the legend. She described him as generous, creative, passionate, playful, and wise - qualities that are reflected in his lyrics.
His bandmate Noel "Paul" Stookey also shared his sorrow at the loss of his "brother" and best man at his wedding. He fondly remembered their friendship that spanned over decades, despite their different perspectives and geographical distance.
Stookey also highlighted Yarrow's numerous accomplishments and honors throughout his career, including six top 10 singles and a chart-topping hit, "Leaving on a Jet Plane". The trio also went double platinum in the US with their self-titled debut album and won five Grammy awards, including one for their rendition of "Blowin' In The Wind".
Aside from his successful music career, Yarrow was also known for his political activism. He stood firmly with the civil rights movement and was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War. In fact, he helped organize a massive demonstration in 1969 called "Celebration of Life" which was attended by half a million people.
However, Yarrow's legacy was not without controversy. In 1970, he was convicted and served three months in prison for "taking indecent liberties with a minor". As the victim, 14-year-old Barbara Winter, recounted her experience, Yarrow was granted a presidential pardon by Jimmy Carter in 1981. Winter expressed her disappointment at the pardon, describing it as a "sucker punch to the gut".
In 2019, when the conviction resurfaced, Yarrow took full responsibility for his actions and expressed his deep apologies and sorrow for the pain he caused. Born in 1938 to Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants, Yarrow's love for music began at an early age. He honed his skills at folk clubs in New York City and was discovered by manager Albert Grossman.
In 1969, Yarrow married Mary Beth, the niece of Democratic presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. Although they later got divorced, they remarried in 2022. Yarrow's life was full of ups and downs, but his impact on music and activism will forever be remembered.
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