Posted on 05/10/2021 4:31:04 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The legendary folk singer's latest album benefits multiple charities
At age 83, Noel Paul Stookey still has plenty to say.
The singer/songwriter, known as the "Paul" in the ‘60s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, recently released "Just Causes," a compilation of 15 songs, each highlighting a theme of social concern, including the environment, hunger, and drug trafficking, among others. The star paired each song in with an appropriate non-profit organization to benefit from the album’s net proceeds.
And Stookey is no stranger to singing for a good cause. The group’s version of "If I Had a Hammer" became an anthem for racial equality. The band famously performed Bob Dylan’s "Blowin’ in the Wind" at the August 1963 March on Washington. They also protested the Vietnam war and joined the fight to improve the working conditions of California’s farmworkers – just to name a few. Stookey spoke to Fox News about releasing "Just Causes," his favorite memory with Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers, the real story behind "Puff the Magic Dragon," and becoming a born-again Christian.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
It’s only been 58 years of hammering. Incessant Hammering.
They were old line Stalinists.
That’s no exaggeration.
"I think that poor Puff was a victim of his times for a bit."*laughs*"When Peter wrote the additional verses, it was obviously about this little boy who had grown up and no longer believed in Puff. It was about a boy coming of age. But the times in which the song was released gave you a window of interpretation.Peter went on stations and gave examples of how "The Star-Spangled Banner" could even be interpreted as a song about drugs. But unfortunately, it didn't stop the rumor. And in some ways, it crippled sales. I believe it was either Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore, but they refused to play it because they felt it was about drugs. But it wasn't and it never was. But the song still brings people joy."
I saw them ca 1961 when they were touring college campuses. Mary was semi-hot then but the years were not kind.
Good singer. Bad politics, imho. And yes, it appears he done bad too with that other thing. Thanks for the info. I hadn’t recalled that report. Seems quite a few of these very successful people can’t or won’t (?) get their personal lives straightened out. Interesting. Thank you
“Puff” is a good song.
“He lived with actress Karen Allen...”
A guy could do a lot worse than that, especially when she was younger.
Well she IS making the “white supremacy gesture” there, so there’s that.
Peter Yarrow was pardoned by Jimmah Cawtuh so it’s like it never happened.
“Puff the Magic Dragon lived by the sea
because he took HCQ and survived anecdotally.”
I came up with that last year when the “experts” were dismissing HCQ as a treatment.
I’ve nearly injured myself racing to the radio or Pandora tv to change the channel when these clowns come on.
Horrible music.
Cracker?
Thanks for posting! Great. One of my favorite all-time movies. By the way, I am FLOUNDER.
Huh. When I was a kid, we all thought it was a song about a dragon named Puff.
Must have missed out on all that commie stuff.
You can say that agin! John Denver was one-of-a-kind. Saw him perform Take Me Home Country Roads with Bill and Taffy, who wrote the song with him.
Fox News:
What’s the story behind “Puff the Magic Dragon”? There are many theories that still exist about that song.
Stookey:
I think that poor Puff was a victim of his times for a bit *laughs*. When Peter wrote the additional verses, it was obviously about this little boy who had grown up and no longer believed in Puff. It was about a boy coming of age. But the times in which the song was released gave you a window of interpretation.
Peter went on stations and gave examples of how “The Star-Spangled Banner” could even be interpreted as a song about drugs. But unfortunately, it didn’t stop the rumor. And in some ways, it crippled sales. I believe it was either Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore, but they refused to play it because they felt it was about drugs. But it wasn’t and it never was. But the song still brings people joy.
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/noel-paul-stookey-of-peter-paul-and-mary-just-causes
Another intersting anecdote from the Fox article...
Fox News:
What’s one memory from your time with Peter and Mary that still makes you smile whenever you think about it?
Stookey:
That’s funny. If you hadn’t included the word “smile,” of course, I probably would have said the March on Washington and standing with Dr. King when he gave us the “I Have a Dream” speech. But the memory I have, the one that gives me the biggest smile, was when the three of us dressed formally following a celebration of John F. Kennedy’s second year as president.
We headed for a party at Lyndon Johnson’s house, the vice president. Carol Burnett was there dancing. The president was singing along arm-in-arm with Gene Kelly who also did some tap dancing for us. Jacqueline Kennedy was flirty with Yves Montand. And the president was very personable. But the smile comes from being in the backseat of the limo that was going about 60 miles an hour through D.C. neighborhoods behind police escort. I mean, what were these three kids doing in this limo? So that was a fun moment for all of us.
I remember the president graciously came over to each of the performers to thank us personally. I remember he asked, “What was the name of that song you sang when everybody applauded? They seem to know the lyrics and wanted to sing along as well.” The song was “If I Had a Hammer.” Well, Peter tried to explain that the song was popular and it was released as a single. Then he tried to describe what a 45 was. The president just smiled and said, “Yes, yes, I know what a 45 is. I just don’t get much of a chance to listen to the radio while driving to work anymore.” It was a beautiful moment.
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