Peter Yarrow, vocalist and songwriter for the iconic U.S. folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has passed away at the age of 86. Per The Guardian, a publicist confirmed that Yarrow had been battling bladder cancer for four years.
The singer lent his distinctive voice to beloved songs such as Puff the Magic Dragon, The Great Mandala, and Day Is Done, which he either wrote or co-wrote with bandmate Noel Paul Stookey. With Yarrow’s passing, Stookey remains the trio’s sole surviving member; Mary Travers died in 2009.
Peter Yarrow was an influential American singer, songwriter, and activist best known as a founding member of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Born on May 31, 1938, in New York City, Yarrow grew up in a culturally rich household shaped by his Jewish heritage. He graduated from Cornell University in 1959 with a degree in psychology but soon found his true calling in music.
In 1961, Yarrow joined forces with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers to form Peter, Paul and Mary under the guidance of manager Albert Grossman. The trio became a defining voice of the 1960s folk revival, blending exquisite harmonies with socially conscious lyrics. Their debut album, Peter, Paul and Mary (1962), topped the charts, producing hits like If I Had a Hammer and Lemon Tree.
Yarrow’s songwriting talents shone in tracks like Puff the Magic Dragon—a whimsical, yet poignant tale co-written with Leonard Lipton that became a timeless classic. Other notable contributions include The Great Mandala (The Wheel of Life) and Day Is Done, both of which highlighted his lyrical depth and commitment to social justice.
Beyond music, Yarrow was a passionate activist. He participated in pivotal events of the Civil Rights Movement, including the 1963 March on Washington, where the trio performed before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Yarrow also opposed the Vietnam War and supported numerous humanitarian causes throughout his life.
Although Peter, Paul and Mary disbanded in 1970, they reunited periodically for concerts and causes, maintaining their influence across generations. Yarrow also pursued solo projects, releasing albums and working on children’s music, including the creation of Puff the Magic Dragon picture books.
In addition to his musical and activist work, Yarrow founded Operation Respect in 1999, an organization dedicated to promoting anti-bullying programs and social-emotional learning in schools.
Yarrow’s life wasn’t without controversy. He spent three months in prison in 1970 for “taking indecent liberties with a minor.” The 14-year old Barbara Winter went to Yarrow’s hotel room in Washington, DC seeking out an autograph. However, Yarrow answered the door without clothes and forced her to do a hand job, according to The Guardian. Then, President Carter granted Yarrow a presidential pardon in 1981.
