Peter Yarrow, renowned for his role in the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, has passed away at the age of 86. Yarrow was instrumental in the popularization of folk music during the vibrant music scene of the early 1960s.

As reported by The New York Times, Yarrow died in his home located in Manhattan on Tuesday. His publicist confirmed that Yarrow had been courageously battling bladder cancer for the past four years. Updates about his health had been shared recently by his daughter, reflecting the family’s journey during this challenging time.

Yarrow co-founded Peter, Paul & Mary with fellow musicians Paul Stookey and Mary Travers in New York City during the early ’60s. The trio quickly rose to fame as significant figures in the Greenwich Village folk scene, a cultural movement that also welcomed the emergence of iconic artists like Bob Dylan.

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The trio was among the first to achieve commercial success with a cover of a Bob Dylan song; their rendition of “Blowin’ in the Wind” in 1963 soared to No. 2 on the charts and garnered two Grammy Awards for Pop Vocal Group and Folk Record. This monumental achievement solidified their place in music history.

Although Peter, Paul & Mary often shared lead vocals, Yarrow took center stage on several of their beloved singles, including the enchanting “Puff the Magic Dragon,” a song he co-wrote that became an enduring classic.

Born on May 31, 1938, in Brooklyn, Yarrow’s talents extended beyond his work with Peter, Paul & Mary. In the early 1970s, he embarked on a solo career that produced a couple of songs that narrowly missed the Top 100. Notably, he co-wrote “Torn Between Two Lovers,” which became a No. 1 hit for Mary MacGregor in 1977, showcasing his songwriting prowess.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Yarrow was a passionate activist, advocating for various causes over the decades. He was vocal in protests against the Vietnam War during the ’60s and later championed anti-bullying initiatives in schools, demonstrating his commitment to social issues.

In 1970, Yarrow faced legal troubles when he was convicted of taking “improper liberties” with a 14-year-old girl, serving three months in prison. He later expressed deep remorse for his actions, stating, “I do not seek to minimize or excuse what I have done, and I cannot adequately express my apologies and sorrow for the pain and injury I have caused.” He received a pardon for this crime in 1981 from President Jimmy Carter.

Following the controversy surrounding Yarrow, Peter, Paul & Mary disbanded in the early ’70s, with all three members pursuing their own solo careers. Despite the challenges, their legacy in folk music endures.

Discover the Iconic Hits of Peter, Paul & Mary

Throughout the vibrant decade of the 1960s, Peter, Paul & Mary achieved remarkable success, amassing over a dozen Top 40 hits. Among their most notable songs were the Top 10 hit “If I Had a Hammer,” which won a Grammy for Pop Vocal Group and Folk Record in 1962, as well as the beloved “Puff the Magic Dragon.” They also famously covered Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and reached No. 1 with “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in 1969, a song penned by the talented John Denver.

The trio’s influence extended to their album releases as well, with two No. 1 albums to their name: their self-titled debut in 1962 and In the Wind from 1963. Their 1969 release, Peter, Paul and Mommy, won a Grammy for Children’s Album, showcasing their appeal to a younger audience.

Sadly, Mary Travers passed away in 2009 at the age of 72 due to leukemia, marking a significant loss for the music world. Paul Stookey, born in 1937, remains alive and continues to honor their shared legacy.

Stookey expressed heartfelt sentiments about Yarrow, describing him as his “creative, irrepressible, spontaneous and musical younger brother.” He reflected on the profound influence Yarrow had on his life, stating, “Perhaps Peter was both of the brothers I never had, and I shall deeply miss both of him.”