Yahoo Lifestyle Peter Yarrow, Peter, Paul and Mary Singer, Dead at 86
Peter Yarrow, a singer-songwriter who made up one-third of the folk-music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died. He was 86.
Publicist Ken Sunshine confirmed the sad news to CBS News, revealing that the musician died in New York on Tuesday, Jan. 7 after a four-year battle with bladder cancer.
"Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life," Yarrow's daughter, Bethany, also confirmed in a statement obtained by the publication. "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."
Peter, Paul and Mary—made up of Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, the latter of whom preceded Yarrow in death in 2009 after a years-long battle with leukemia—used their talents and their platform to advocate for civil rights and against war.
According to the publication, they released six Billboard Top 10 singles, two No. 1 albums and won five Grammys in the '60s. "Puff the Magic Dragon," co-written by Yarrow and perhaps the group's most famous song, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The group was also partially responsible for helping launch Bob Dylan to stardom when they covered his tracks "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Blowin' in the Wind," both of which were Billboard Top 10 hits.
However, Yarrow wasn't without his troubles: the late Jimmy Carter once pardoned him of child molestation charges. According to The New York Times, he pleaded guilty to taking “indecent liberties” with a 14-year-old girl who had come to his dressing room with her 17-year-old sister to ask for an autograph.
In addition to his daughter, Yarrow is survived by his son, Christopher.
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