Folk singer Peter Yarrow, co-creator of the cult song “Puff the Magic Dragon”, has died. He was a member of the legendary trio Peter, Paul and Mary. He was 86 years old.
The death of Yarrow, who had been struggling with bladder cancer for four years, was announced by his daughter, Bethany Yarrow. She remembered him as a creative and passionate artist and a loving, wise man.
The music of the trio Peter, Paul and Mary played a key role in the civil rights and anti-war movements in Vietnam. In 1963, they performed at the March on Washington alongside figures such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
The trio's most popular songs include: “If I Had a Hammer”, “Blowin' in the Wind”, “I Dig Rock'n'Roll Music”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “500 miles”.
“Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the final chapter of his wonderful life. The world knows Peter Yarrow as an iconic folk activist, but the man behind this legend is as generous, creative, passionate, funny and wise as his lyrics suggest,” she wrote daughter.
Currently, the only surviving member of the trio is Noel Paul Stookey. Earlier, in 2009, Mary Travers died. Stookey recalled Yarrow as a kindred figure in both their personal and musical lives.
A shadow on a biography
The accusation of molesting a 14-year-old girl cast a shadow over the musician's life. Yarrow publicly confessed to the crime and expressed deep regret. He spent three months in prison. In 1981, just before the end of his presidential term, he was pardoned by Jimmy Carter.
Yarrow was survived by his wife, children and granddaughter. His family has asked that donations in his memory be made to the Operation Respect anti-violence campaign he supported.
Main photo source: SHAWN THEW/PAP/EPA