Posted on 01/07/2025 11:28:03 AM PST by Morgana
Peter Yarrow who was part of the legendary 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul, And Mary who are best known for iconic song Puff The Magic Dragon is dead at 86.
The controversial musician passed away after battling bladder cancer for four years his publicist confirmed.
He was the lead vocalist of the hit track Puff The Magic Dragon - which was released in 1960 - as he denied that the song was about drugs for years which is what many had believed.
Yarrow staunchly denied that it was about drug taking and has maintained that the actual meaning of the song is about the hardships of growing up.
The musician has previously said that the song 'never had any meaning other than the obvious one' and is about the 'loss of innocence in children.'
Yarrow had also been embroiled in controversy as he was sentenced to three months in jail over a 1969 incident in which the 14-year-old and her 17-year-old sister went to his hotel seeking an autograph and he answered the door naked.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The first song I ever learned. Or was it ‘Little Red Caboose’?
Peter is probably in Heaven with Mary singing ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’....
❤️
I said I heard it’s common to go through the wrong door. But yea, go ahead and equate that with perverse behavior.
500 Miles is on an album in my family’s vinyl collection, trotted out now and then when someone needs cheering up. It is a beautiful tune. Gets me misty because my mom used to sing it to me when I was little. Great song to be rocked to.
A singer named Richard Anthony sang a French version you can hear on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyqtV7b0Kl0
Probably no worse than Arlo Guthrie and Alice’s Restaurant. Saw him in concert, and he said if he had known how popular it was going to be, he would have made it a lot shorter.
My hippie friends were shocked when I showed them the REAL Puff.
Interesting view points on the subject.
I grew up in the sixties and this song much a part of that history.
I never associated it with drug use.
It was about the challenges of coming of age and letting go of childhood fantasies.
That is indeed beautiful. Thanks.
Cass Eliott of course always makes me think of the short-lived “The Mamas and the Papas” and their amazing songs and harmonies. They broke up way too soon.
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was a great singer (another name I never knew about!)
“mom used to sing it to me when I was little.” That is SO sweet. What a lovely memory!
“A dragon lives forever,
but not so little boys...”
Those who miss this need to read up on Tolkien and the sorrow of the Elves.
Now let’s talk about The Yellow Submarine.
“Richard Anthony sang a French version”
Wow, that is wonderful! I love the completely different lyrics. Thanks for sharing that!
Yep, he also wrote “Day is Done”, which I always thought was a good tune.
I just added “J’entends Siffler Le Train” to my Spotify playlist “Folk Songs” and “Liked Songs.” Thanks again.
So many nice comments.
Do people not know are care he was a child molesting communist?
I*t took me a minute because you misspelled his name, Paul Stookey,
LOL!! Do we have the same sister???!
I forgot that.
I remember how the media always tried to find phrases to make crimes against young children seem not really so bad.
Still doing it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.