Folk Legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 86: A Life of Music and Activism

Peter Yarrow, the esteemed singer-songwriter and member of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 86. He succumbed to bladder cancer after a four-year battle, leaving behind a profound legacy in the music industry and activism.

Peter Yarrow Portrait. | Image:Wikipedia

Born on May 31, 1938, in New York City to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Yarrow’s early exposure to music and art set the foundation for his illustrious career. He graduated from Cornell University in 1959 and became a prominent figure in the Greenwich Village folk scene. In 1961, he co-founded Peter, Paul and Mary alongside Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers. The trio became instrumental in the 1960s folk revival, producing timeless hits like “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” which Yarrow co-wrote, and covers of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”

Beyond their musical achievements, Peter, Paul and Mary were deeply involved in social activism. They performed at the 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, and participated in numerous civil rights and anti-war demonstrations. Yarrow’s commitment to social causes extended throughout his life, notably founding Operation Respect, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting safe and respectful environments for children.

Image: Andy Argyrakis

Yarrow’s career was not without controversy. In 1970, he was convicted of taking “improper liberties” with a 14-year-old girl, serving a three-month prison sentence. He received a presidential pardon from Jimmy Carter in 1981. Despite this, Yarrow continued his musical and activist endeavors, though the incident remained a point of contention.

Peter Yarrow is survived by his wife, Marybeth McCarthy, whom he remarried in 2022, his children, Christopher and Bethany, and a granddaughter. His passing marks the end of an era for the folk music community, but his contributions to music and social justice continue to resonate.