RIP Peter

Part of my childhood died yesterday when Peter Yarrow, the renowned American singer, songwriter, and activist best known as a member of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary died at the age of 86. I can remember sitting on the red couch in my parents basement, listening to the fun and moving 1969 album Peter, Paul and Mommy - singing along to “Puff (The Magic Dragon)”, “The Marvelous Toy”, “Make-Believe Town” and many more.

Yarrow was born in New York City in a culturally rich environment that fostered his love for music and social causes. After attending Cornell University, where he earned a degree in psychology, his passion for folk music outweighed anything associated with the degree. It was in the early 1960s when Yarrow joined forces with Paul Stookey and Mary Travers to form Peter, Paul and Mary, a group that became one of the most influential voices in the folk music revival of the decade. Their harmonies and socially conscious songs, such as "If I Had a Hammer" and "Blowin' in the Wind," made them icons of the civil rights and anti-war movements.

Throughout his career, Yarrow has been deeply involved in activism, particularly around issues of peace, justice, and equality. He was instrumental in organizing and performing at major events, such as the 1963 March on Washington - They performed their version of Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”. Beyond his work with Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow has used his platform to promote causes such as nuclear disarmament, environmental protection, and children's rights. He also co-founded Operation Respect, an organization dedicated to promoting tolerance and conflict resolution in schools.

But it really was “Puff (The Magic Dragon)”, which Yarrow co-wrote, that will be their most memorable song. He wrote it based on a poem by the then-19-year-old author and filmmaker Lenny Liption. Though the whimsical song was said at the time by some to be about marijuana use, Yarrow maintained it was an ode to leaving childhood behind as one becomes an adult. 

Maybe hearing this news of his passing has brought me back to my childhood that I left behind. So while Yarrow’s contributions to folk music and social change will leave an indelible mark on American culture, and his legacy will endure as a powerful reminder of the role that music can play in shaping society, it’s the beautiful innocence and joy that a young Dave Schneier will always remember.