Peter Yarrow, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at age 86 after a four-year battle with bladder cancer, his publicist confirmed.
Yarrow was the voice and co-writer behind beloved songs such as “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “The Great Mandala,” and “Day Is Done.” With his passing, Noel Paul Stookey is the group’s last surviving member; Mary Travers died in 2009.
Born in New York City in 1938, Yarrow helped form Peter, Paul and Mary in 1961. The trio became a defining force of the 1960s folk revival, topping charts with their debut album and hits like “If I Had a Hammer.” Beyond music, Yarrow was a committed activist, performing at the 1963 March on Washington, opposing the Vietnam War, and later founding Operation Respect, an anti-bullying organization.
Though the group disbanded in 1970, they reunited periodically, and Yarrow continued with solo work and children’s projects. His legacy includes both major cultural influence and controversy, including a 1970 conviction involving a minor, for which he later received a presidential pardon in 1981.
Despite personal struggles, Yarrow left a lasting mark on American folk music and social activism.
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