Peter Yarrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Yarrow
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Yarrow in 1970
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 31, 1938 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2025 (aged 86) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk |
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| Years active | 1950s–2024 |
Peter Yarrow (May 31, 1938 – January 7, 2025) was an American singer and songwriter. He became famous as a member of the 1960s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. Yarrow helped write one of the group's most famous songs, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." He was also a strong supporter of many important causes. These included opposing the Vietnam War and creating school anti-bullying programs.
Contents
Peter Yarrow's Early Life
Peter Yarrow was born in Manhattan, New York, on May 31, 1938. His parents, Vera and Bernard Yarrow, were immigrants from Ukraine. Their families had settled in Providence, Rhode Island.
Peter's parents divorced when he was five years old. His mother, Vera, was a speech and drama teacher. His father, Bernard, was a lawyer.
Peter spent summers at a music camp called Interlochen. He graduated from New York's High School of Music and Art. There, he studied painting and even won a physics prize. He then went to Cornell University. He first studied physics but later changed to psychology. He graduated in 1959.
Peter Yarrow's Music Career
Peter Yarrow started singing in public during his last year at Cornell. He took a popular course about American folk music. He loved performing for a large audience. After college, Yarrow played in folk clubs in New York City. He also performed at the Newport Folk Festival. There, he met a music manager named Albert Grossman.
Grossman had an idea for a new folk group. He wanted it to be like the Weavers but for a new generation. Yarrow saw a picture of Mary Travers and asked about her. Grossman said she would be good if she would sing professionally. Mary Travers was known in the Greenwich Village folk scene.
Yarrow went to Mary's apartment to sing with her. They found their voices blended well. Mary then suggested Noel Stookey, who was a friend doing folk music and comedy. They decided to call their group "Peter, Paul and Mary." Noel Stookey's middle name was Paul, which fit perfectly.
The group practiced for six months. They debuted in 1961 at The Bitter End club in Greenwich Village. They quickly became popular and signed with Warner Brothers.
In 1962, Peter, Paul and Mary released their first single, "Lemon Tree." Then they released "If I Had a Hammer," a song by Pete Seeger. This song won two Grammy Awards in 1962. Their first album, Peter, Paul & Mary, was a huge success. It stayed in the Top 10 for ten months and sold over two million copies.
In 1963, they released "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan. This song sold many copies quickly. On August 28, 1963, Peter, Paul and Mary performed "Blowin' in the Wind" at the historic March on Washington. They were on stage with Martin Luther King Jr.. Their performance made the song an important civil rights anthem.
Yarrow also wrote some of the group's famous songs. These include "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "Day Is Done", and "Light One Candle". He was nominated for an Emmy Award for a TV special called LifeLines Live.
Yarrow helped start the New Folks Concert series. This series helped new folk artists at festivals like the Newport Folk Festival. He also produced "Torn Between Two Lovers," a number one hit for Mary McGregor. He produced three TV specials based on "Puff, the Magic Dragon," which also earned an Emmy nomination.
After a break, Peter, Paul and Mary reunited in 1978. Peter Yarrow also performed with his daughter, Bethany Yarrow. With cellist Rufus Cappadocia, they formed the trio Peter, Bethany, and Rufus. They released a CD called Puff & Other Family Classics.
Peter Yarrow's Social Activism
Peter Yarrow was always active in social and political causes. He believed in standing up for what was right.
In 2000, Yarrow helped create Operation Respect. This is a non-profit group that works to stop school bullying. It teaches children about tolerance and respecting differences. The idea came after Yarrow and his children heard the song "Don't Laugh at Me."
Yarrow also served on the board of directors for the Connecticut Hospice. He was also a member of Braver Angels, an organization that tries to bring people with different political views together.
Peter Yarrow's Personal Life
Yarrow felt that his Jewish background influenced his liberal views.
In 1969, Peter Yarrow married Mary Beth McCarthy. She was the niece of presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. Paul Stookey wrote the song "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" as a gift for their wedding. Peter and Mary Beth had two children, Christopher and Bethany. They later divorced but remarried in 2022.
In 2000, Yarrow's guitar was stolen on an airplane. Years later, fans found it on eBay. The FBI helped get it back for him. He chose not to press charges.
Peter Yarrow lived in New York City for a long time. He also had a vacation home in Colorado.
Death
Peter Yarrow passed away on January 7, 2025. He was 86 years old and died from bladder cancer.
Awards and Honors
Peter Yarrow received several awards for his work.
- In 1982, he received the Allard K. Lowenstein Award. This was for his efforts in human rights, peace, and freedom.
- In 1995, he received the Tikkun Olam Award. This award recognized his work to "repair the world."
- In 1993, he was given the Kate Wolf Memorial Award.
- In 2003, the U.S. Congress recognized his achievements. They also honored the work of Operation Respect.
Discography
Peter, Paul and Mary
- Further information: Peter, Paul and Mary#Discography
Solo
- 1972: Peter (US No. 163)
- 1973: That's Enough for Me (US No. 203)
- 1975: Hard Times
- 1975: Love Songs
- 2010: The Peter Yarrow Sing-Along Special
Peter, Bethany and Rufus
- 2008: Puff & Other Family Classics
Other Contributions
- 1971: Lazarus – Lazarus; producer
- 1973: A Fool's Paradise – Lazarus; producer
- 1984: Here With Me – Kamifusen; songwriter, "Cherry Blossom"
- 2020: Color Outside the Lines – Jim Stanard; vocals on songs "Home" and "Arkansas", along with Bethany Yarrow
See also
- List of peace activists
- List of people pardoned or granted clemency by a United States president
