Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at 72
- Posted on Sep 16th 2009 11:15PM by Steve Baltin
- Comments (9)
One of the most iconic voices of the '60s, Mary Travers of folk act Peter, Paul and Mary passed away Wednesday. The 72-year-old had been fighting leukemia since 2005 and ultimately succumbed to the disease despite a bone marrow transplant. Travers teamed with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey in the early '60s in Greenwich Village and, before long, they were ambassadors and voices of the scene. The trio helped expose many fans to the work of Bob Dylan when they performed 'Blowin' in the Wind' at a 1963 march on Washington and placed both that song and his 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright' on the 1963 album 'In the Wind.'
Perfectly capturing the mood of the country before the British Invasion and the Summer of Love, the trio turned gorgeous harmonies and resolute political beliefs, which they maintained throughout their tenure, into commercial stardom, placing three albums in the top six of the Billboard charts in 1963. It was a rapid rise from their 1961 debut at New York's Bitter End club.But the genteel nature of the way they sang Dylan's politicized words as well as 'If I Had a Hammer' and 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?' came across as a soothing voice in a time of tremendous upheaval. They reached beyond political thought as well, scoring a massive hit with 'Puff, The Magic Dragon,' which is still considered a classic children's tale.
After their initial success, Peter, Paul and Mary made occasional forays back into the charts, including a hit in the late '60s with John Denver's 'Leaving on a Jet Plane.' The trio separated in 1971 with Travers going onto release five solo albums without matching her remarkable early success with Yarrow and Stookey.
The trio reunited several times, often for political causes, such as a 1978 show to fight nuclear power. According to the New York Times, Yarrow, in a statement, described her vocal style and personality as "honest and completely authentic," while Stookey, in another statement, wrote, "Her charisma was a barely contained nervous energy -- occasionally (and then only privately) revealed as stage fright."
She is survived by her fourth husband, two daughters, two grandchildren and a sister.
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
eronneat 9-17-2009
Oh, god, what a tragedy. It was such a terrific folk singing group. This may be a great loss of music world. My condolences to Mary's family, friends and fans.
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cinbuat 9-17-2009
I am so unbelievably sad this morning. The honesty, love and truth that was Mary Travers has been an incredible influence in my life. This world is a sadder, meaner place today. Goodbye Mary, you loved us well, and were well loved.
bobfat 9-17-2009
In tribute to Mary, thought I'd post the following lyrics to the public domain "Woman of Experience" biographical folk song I wrote about her during the 1980s:
"Women of Experience"
(chorus)
She's a woman of experience
She's a woman who is strong
She's a woman of intelligence
And she likes to sing folk songs.
(verses)
She was born in Old Kentucky
And raised in Bohemia
Her childhood was so lonely
But she found some joy in nature
Her parents taught her well
To always think for herself
And resist the Establishment
And that's why she sang folk. (chorus)
Around her was a crowd of rebels
Writers with words intense
Artists who hoped to change the world
And outfox the government
She rebelled against dumb authority
And refused to ape TV clones
Alienated and abandoned
She sang folk songs at home. (chorus)
She wandered in Washington Square
And sang along in the park
She read her quota of books
And sat in the coffeshops
She sang with a couple of men
And belted out her deep feelings
And fought for a better world
And they called her the "new folk queen." (chorus)
She's been through her family
And she's got some new lessons to share
And she's collected a lot of wisdom
And it's still fun to touch her hair
And she'll give you a passionate hug
And her spirit is still untamed
And she brings some love to the world
And sings folk songs in the middle of rain. (chorus)
Jerryat 9-17-2009
Those lyrics are very moving. Where can I hear the melody?
Shariat 9-17-2009
My first concert ever was in Providence, RI with my best friend Beth and her boyfriend, Tommy in 1966 to see PP&M. Beth and I were in nursing school together and with two other friends had formed a singing group, The Four of Us who sang folk...mostly PP&M covers.My last concert was in Clearwater, FL in ~2006...with my best friend Beth and her husband Tommy to see PP&M. Our long friendship and loyalty to each other is matched by our loyalty to this wonderful group. We will miss you, Mary
iemsimplymeiat 9-17-2009
Wow I didn't expect to read that when I got up this morning.
donnaat 9-17-2009
The world has lost a wonderful voice When I was growing up i would always be at their concerts at Yale bowl it was always a highlight of my summer My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends When i need a lift I still listen to their records god speed mary rest in peace you will be missed
Jackat 9-17-2009
Some of the earliest songs I remember hearing in my life were by Peter, Paul and Mary: Blowin' In The Wind and Puff the Magic Dragon. My parents had their album "Blowin' In The Wind",which I think I still have somewhere. They were one-of-a-kind. I was shocked when I heard on The View this morning that Mary had died. My condolences to her family and friends. Rest in Peace, Mary.
michaelat 9-19-2009
She maintained her integrity,fighting for worthy causes to the end.They brought a sweet harmony to Dylan's lyrics and popularised them.I have just about all of their records and my most cherished memory of them is of their concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1965.