Posted on 09/17/2009 9:09:52 AM PDT by Ben Mugged
It never stops, does it? Last night brought the news that Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary had become, at age 72, yet another beloved entertainer gone too soon. Not a complete surprise — Travers was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004 — but very sad nonetheless.
Peter, Paul and Mary played a crucial role in helping the folk-music scene become a mass popular movement in the early 1960s. They couldn’t have done it without Mary Travers’ clear, expressive vocals. A gifted interpreter of others’ songs, she was the principal reason why the trio’s covers of Pete Seeger’s “If I Had A Hammer” and Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind” were arguably better-loved than the originals. Harmonizing on silly kid’s tunes like the classic “Puff the Magic Dragon” one minute, playing for social justice at the historic March on Washington another — both in the year 1963 — Travers, along with bandmates Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, epitomized something about that transformative era.
On a personal note, I was raised on Peter, Paul and Mary’s music in the 1980s. Making folk music for children was another key aspect of their legacy, from 1969’s Peter, Paul and Mommy to 1993’s Peter, Paul and Mommy, Too concert sequel, ensuring that a younger generation is missing Mary today, too.
(Excerpt) Read more at music-mix.ew.com ...
I agree , Mary was a huge talent . I ha a major crush on her . The photos from her beat period were stunning..
Beautiful voice, didn’t agreee with her politics of the era, Rest In Peace.
I still remember how pissed I was back in 1969 when “Leaving on a Jet Plane” bumped “Come Together” from the Number One slot.
Yeah, it’s just a guy on the Wedding Song. We played it at our wedding reception in 2001. One of my favorite memories, my parents, my grandparents, couples I had known growing up, all out dancing together. It was lovely.
Shut up and sing applied perfectly to this group.
I wonder if they knew that the “hammer” they were always singing about was the Communist hammer?......................
I loved Puff the Magic Dragon and Leaving on a Jet Plane. Two of my all time favorites.
I remember hearing the sweet booming tones of “Puff the Magic Dragon” while I was in Vietnam.
That is, the roar of three 7.62mm miniguns mounted on the AC-47 Dragonfly, AKA “Puff”, turning a grid square full of NVAs into bloody mulch with that combined 10,000 rounds per minute.
Wonder how PPM felt about the appropriation of their song title? Seventy-two is too young for anyone to die, but I wonder how Mary Travers felt as time went on that socialist paradise USSA just wasn’t going to happen.
That is great!
One of my first dates with my wife was going to see Peter, Paul and Mary on Boston Common, with another couple. We sat in the front row, along with another couple.
At some time in the concert, they asked everyone to stand while they sang “In El Salvador”. My wife and I didn’t stand, nor did the other couple - even though I wasn’t too sure of their politics. There were a couple of guys in kippas in the front row who also did not stand. We must have been conspicuous, being in the front row and all. One the them, Paul, I believe, shot us a sidelong glance.
I didn’t look behind me to see how many people in the back rows were sitting or standing.
It was a fun concert and I’m glad we went and even more glad that we didn’t go along with their nonsense.
I always think of the line from Animal House, “Just mention modern art, civil rights or folk music, and you’re in like flint.”
Some nice songs but they became a burnt out nostalgia group
There was woman at work, since retired, a mathematician, who was about the same age as Mary Travers, who sported a Mary Travers hairdo. I remember sitting with a couple guys in the cafeteria when he passed us and couldn't resist remarking, "For an ounce of pot and a Weavers' album, you could have had her. Take her up to your apartment to see your hardcover edition of The Family of Man"
I agree: beautiful musician, but stupid on politics. Puffed too many "dragons", I suspect. (Is that what they were calling them back then?)
Yeah, I understand why Jimmuh would pardon that. Kinda makes you wonder why we bother with silly laws like statutory rape. /sarc
That is, the roar of three 7.62mm miniguns mounted on the AC-47 Dragonfly, AKA “Puff”, turning a grid square full of NVAs into bloody mulch with that combined 10,000 rounds per minute.
Wonder how PPM felt about the appropriation of their song title? Seventy-two is too young for anyone to die, but I wonder how Mary Travers felt as time went on that socialist paradise USSA just wasn’t going to happen.”
Ok, gotta share this! Second hand info from my previous life in adult beverage discussion with them that know.
Apparently, Mary was VERY disturbed that the 7.62 mini gun would be used in the AC-47 program for our El Salvador effort back in the 80’s. So the AF guys there changed “it” out to a 50 cal gun instead which happens to be a better, more accurate and easier to maintain weapon. Bottom line is we got a superior weapon system due to her protests. Legend is that they named the 3 aircraft “Paulo, Pedro e Maria” in honor of their efforts that helped defeat the communist rebels. Picture of the 3 aircraft with crews was taken but US State would not allow it to be sent to Mary.
I think Puff the Magic Dragon was the first song I ever knew the words to. I was 2 when it came out nd I’m sure it helped me learn to talk. LOL
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