Peter Yarrow, singer and songwriter of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at 86 after a four-year battle with bladder cancer.
He was known for classics like Puff the Magic Dragon, The Great Mandala, and Day Is Done, many co-written with Noel Paul Stookey. With his passing, Stookey is the last surviving member; Mary Travers died in 2009.
Born in New York in 1938, Yarrow co-founded the group in 1961, helping shape the 1960s folk movement with hits like If I Had a Hammer. Beyond music, he was active in the Civil Rights Movement, including the 1963 March on Washington, and later founded Operation Respect to fight bullying.
His life also included controversy—he served three months in prison in 1970 for an offense involving a minor and was later pardoned in 1981.
Yarrow is remembered for his lasting impact on music, activism, and generations of listeners.