Peter Yarrow, Iconic Voice of Peter, Paul and Mary, Dies at 86
The music industry has lost one of its shinning stars through the sudden demise of Peter Yarrow – the man who characterized the folk trio group Peter, Paul and Mary; aged 86. And with the recent death of Yarrow, many of these fans saw the end of an era, group that was part of the folk scene and music that dominated the 1960s. Their coverage of professed messages, melodic three part harmonies and popular songs made Peter, Paul and Mary one of America’s voices for the sixties justice revolution.
Biography of Peter Yarrow
Peter Yarrow, born on May 31, 1938 in New York City, received music and socially activist influences at home. He went to Cornell University at which time he discovered his love for music and equality issues. In the early 1960s Yarrow was involved in creating the trio Peter, Paul and Noel Paul Stookey, Mary Travers. New York’s emo-tinged trio grabbed everybody’s attention with their combination of melancholic lyrics and wonderfully textured vocals.
Yarrow offered much more in his capacity as a singer, a songwriter and so on. He was a promoter of peace and wanted justice as well as believed in equal rights for all people. Yarrow devoted much of his life to making music and becoming bridge between different people groups in order to bring social change.
Peter, Paul and Mary: Icons of the Folk Revival
More importantly, Peter, Paul and Mary were among the most influential artists during the 1960’s American folk music revival. The popular songs most of which were focused on social issues awoke a symphony in the youthful and the old. Songs such as Bob Dylan – Blowin In The Wind, Peter, Paul and Mary – If I had a hammer, and Peter, Paul and Mary – Puff the Magic Dragon, were insigne songs for civil rights, peace and the environment movements respectively.
The first album by this trio came in 1962 and was a chart buster, thereby letting the music industry know that there was a new force on the scene. Its capability to intertwine a serious theme with lovely tunes was one factor that different them and, in turn, gained significant fame.
Part played by Yarrow in activism
Peter Yarrow is not only a singer, he is a man, who devoted himself and his songs for the ideas and causes he supported. Peter, Paul, and Mary was honored to be singing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, at which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his dream of equality. Their cover of “Blowin’ in the Wind” became one the main themes of civil rights.
He also started Operation Respect, a non-profit organization which focuses on combating hate and bullying within school premises. For him, education and effective advocacy embodied his principle of the lifelong provision of qualities that help make the world a more compassionate place.
A Journey of Evergreen Tune
Although Peter, Paul and Mary ceased to perform together in 1970, the trio giving occasional performances in later years to prove that they still clicked as a group as well as were still all relevant. Yarrow’s vocal abilities were greatly evident and his song writing skills brought out great lyrical form of music; songs such as The Great Mandala (The Wheel of Life) positioned himself in a creative realm that depicted life issues.
All the music created by the trio was highly appreciated, and the group was awarded several Grammy statuette. To maintain relevance, their lyrics were able to touch the lives of many people this saw them stand their ground in a changing world of music.
Tributes Pour In
After Peter Yarrow, people did not remain silent, and condolences to fans, colleagues, fellow musicians, and other individuals rushed to social networks. Some of the praised included his contributions to folk music and his engagements for social reform.
Fellow singer-songwriter Joan Baez said “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a true pioneer Peter Yarrow ” Famous actor and activist George Takei took to Twitter to pen his thoughts, saying “ Peter Yarrow’s music gave us hope and his activism gave us strength. He will be missed.”
People came forward and began to share with the radio program how Peter, Paul and Mary have influenced them and their lives or how their songs that they grew up listenening too where there getting married.
The Staying Relevant of Folk Music
The demise of Peter Yarrow is a testament of folk music to this world. Unlike so many other musical genres which are dictated by the trends of the marketplace, folk has always been about narrative and protest. It gives strength to the weak ones, and speaks against injustice, and also an appreciation of the basic humanity in everyone.
Yarrow has shown the power of music as a teaching and campaigning instrument in his work. His memories will forever linger in the number of musicians that still derive their information from the songs of Peter, Paul, and Mary.
The Peter Yarrow I Was Reminded Of
Gone but not forgotten Peter’s legacy will be remembered for his work through the civil rights movement for activism and donate with his music as well as for his kindness and humility. People who were lucky to know him personally may testify that he was a humble man with genuine concern for the society and faith in the power of a union.
Empathy was one of the things that Yarrow focused on in the interviews that I conducted with her. Once he said, “Music, it is not just sound track of life it is connection between human being.”
Life Lessons from Yarrow
Peter Yarrow’s life offers several lessons for future generations:
- Art as a Catalyst for Change: Yarrow demonstrated both music and advocacy could be one in the same, that art could be used to move the world forward.
- The Importance of Community: The unity of efforts as a way to bring the change was a major idea heard constantly from Yarrow during his career.
- Leaving a Legacy: Yarrow is continuing his work with Operation Respect as well as his contribution to folk music so his legacy will last.
Conclusion
The passing of Peter Yarrow marks the closing of yet another epic in the folk history especially of America. He contributed to using this by being part of the Peter, Paul, and Mary group where he sang to encourage, inform and bring people together. His songs will always be great with people, will help us realize how unification can be achieved through music.
Beautifully, for fans and admirers, it is simply a reason to continue the work Peter Yarrow cared so much about and lived for – inscribing art and empathy to change the world for the better. As we celebrate his life, we also reaffirm the values he stood for: peace, justice and that unquenchable magic of music.