Posts Tagged ‘peter paul and mary’

MARY TRAVERS of Peter, Paul and Mary Folk Fame, Dead at 72

MARY TRAVERS of Peter, Paul and Mary Folk Fame, Dead at 72:More sad music news, Mary Travers, one-third of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary who were known for many classic tune but perhaps best known for their hit “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” died this week in a Connecticut hospital after a lengthy battle with leukemia. She was 72. Peter, Paul and Mary were vital to the rise of folk music during the 60′s and voiced many of the social and political concerns of the era.  The band’s publicist, Heather Lylis, informed us that Travers died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital. No word yet on funeral services, or a public memorial.

She is survived by her husband, Ethan Robbins, and daughters, Alicia and Erika. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and everyone who enjoyed the power of her timeless talent.

Full obit at Guardian.co.uk. See Mary on Mama Cass’s 1969 tv show-

Mary Travers Death, Mary Died Of Cancer At 72

Mary Travers Death, Mary Died Of Cancer At 72: It will be great sorrow the next time anyone hears Leaving on a Jet Plane or immortal fairy tale of Puff The Magic Dragon  for the Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary has passed away Wednesday from cancer at 72 years old.

In 2006, Travers was still “feeling fabulous” in 2006, but her health deteriorated quickly this year as she battled leukemia. According to the Associated Press, her spokesperson, Heather Lylis, has confirmed that her death took place in Connecticut’s Danbury Hospital.

Travers was known for being the slinky, tall, leading blond in the famous folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary when she started collaborating and performing with the then two bearded men, Peter Yarrow and Noel “Paul” Stookey. However, her passion for music started early on with her natural passion for life.

After her parents moved to Greenwich Village, she quickly fell in love with folk scene and began singing backup for The Weavers. This was shortly after meeting Pete Seeger who lived in the same apartment building as her family.

However, when manager Albert B. Grossman was looking to “find a nobody that he could nurture and make famous,” Travers was selected and finally tasted stardom on her own with Yarrow and Stookey. Together, they wrote the infamous songs, “If I Had A Hammer”(a powerful song about racial equality), and “Lemon Tree.” Since Grossman was also managing Bob Dylan at the time, they were also famous for performing his song, “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Another famous song they favored with a rendition was John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jetplane.”

Helping Bob Dylan launch his career as they collaborated on each other’s albums, Peter, Paul and Mary went on to earn a few Grammys. They also continued to be involved with political movements. After the band disbanded, Travers and her band members launched their own solo careers.

Linking her kindness to her music, fellow band member, Peter Yarrow, stated:

“It was, as Mary always was, honest and completely authentic,” he said. “That’s the way she sang, too; honestly and with complete authenticity.”

“I am deadened and heartsick beyond words to consider a life without Mary Travers and honored beyond my wildest dreams to have shared her spirit and her career.”

Mary Travers is survived by her husband, Ethan Robbins and her daughters, Alicia and Erika.

Source:http://beatcrave.com/2009-09-16/mary-travers-of-peter-paul-and-mary-died-of-cancer-at-72/