Another Legendary Performer Dies: Mary Travers Of Peter, Paul and Mary

@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 17, 2009 2:51am CST
Oh no! I think too many people have died this year. Only days ago, many of our hearts were broken when we heard of the passing of Patrick Swayze, who fought a valiant fight against his pancreatic cancer, but lost. Now another legendary performer has died, that is Mary Travers of that famous trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Those of you who are younger may not even remember or know who Peter, Paul and Mary were, but for those of the "Woodstock Generation" Peter, Paul and Mary were one of the epitome folk artists going and who were anti-Vietnam War and sung classic songs like, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" "Lemon Tree" and "Blowing In The Wind" which written by another famous folk singer Bob Dylan, became a national anthem of sorts for the anti-Vietnam movement and made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary. Mary Travers was 72 years old when she died September 15th after a long battle with cancer (Leukemia) despite a successful bone marrow transplant. Here's an article about her passing and her accomplishments: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/09/16/2009-09-16_mary_travers_of_peter_paul_and_mary_dead.html Here's a youtube video of Peter, Paul and Mary singing Blowing In The Wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jtwXnFkSLA&feature=related How many of you remember Peter, Paul and Mary? Which songs did you love of theirs? Once again another RIP to another performer...RIP Mary Travers
9 people like this
24 responses
• United States
17 Sep 09
I hadn't heard that yet. Thanks for sharing this information Pye. I remember them both. Such very, very sad news. We have lost a lot of very good people this year. May they all RIP.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45233)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Sep 09
Henry Gibson? Did he go, too? Hadn't heard about that one until now. Guess he's reciting his silly little poems in rock & roll heaven...
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Sep 09
Oooops. Just wanted to clarify what I meant by when I said I remember them both. I was referring to Mary Travers as well as Henry Gibson. While I was reading this, I still had your Facebook comment on my mind and in that you mentioned Henry Gibson. Of course, I remember Patrick Swayze...who wouldn't. He was a talented and wonderful person. He gave us many, many great movies, most of which I still watch today every time they are on.
2 people like this
• United States
17 Sep 09
I was so sad to hear this news.Granted I was a baby when Woodstock happened, damn it!, but I knew Peter, Paul,and Mary.They made great music.she will be missed.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45233)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Sep 09
Huntington's, I think.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
That whole Woodstock era created a lot of great folk singers...Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie...makes you wonder if any of them are next to go..Guthrie has some kind of illness himself
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84647)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Where they the ones who sang Puff the Magic Dragon, the song that was really about pot or something? I've heard of them for sure, and I think I saw them on TV together once.
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Yup, that is the song and that is what the John Birch society said. I don't know if that was true..but it was a great song. I loved playing it on my guitar.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Mmmm...that's interesting, I never knew Puff the Magic Dragon was about pot...LOL
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
17 Sep 09
Gone, but not forgotten. So many celebrities and people around whom passed away this year. Battle with cancer seems to be quite a common nowadays, and I am really interested in this subject and to find out whether there are ways to avoid this and whether there is really going to be a cure for it.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 09
What's so ironic in a way is that here we are the "common" folk and we tend to think celebrities can have the best medical care in the world...but then comes along cancer and even they succumb to it
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
18 Sep 09
True, that's really ironic. That shows how deadly cancer is. I will always make it a point to think of donating to cancer society. I feel for those people, really..
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Sep 09
Leaving On A Jet Plane written by John Denver, Blowing in the Wind written by Bob Dylan, Car,Car written by Woody Guthrie, If I Had a Hammer written by Pete Seeger, Light One Candle which would be a fitting tribute.. ENJOY!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Yes they sang so many great songs.....don't forget "Puff The Magic Dragon" too...Looking at your profile I see you're a Woodstock Generation person as well...LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Sep 09
The best song that they ever had was Puff the magic dragon to me. In fact even my wife would agree to that. She had the record when we were kid's and we pretty much wore it out playing it over and over again. Her mom finally threw out the record player, and the record.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I actually loved all the songs they sang...I used to have records too and a record player but threw all out--goodness, do they still make record players???
• United States
22 Sep 09
I don't think they do sell record player's anymore, but they still sell the old records for a lot of money. In fact I sold an old Elvis record last year that I had put away in my attic for $150. I think they are just collectors items now.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
17 Sep 09
This is very sad news and I dont know why I didnt hear it on the news!. DId they do Puff the Magic Dragon? for some reason that popped int o my head now I cant get it to go away! adn how I liked all the songs you said. and I am older than the woodstock thing. BUt went to see the 3 dog Nights in concert LAbor day weekend they were great. Celibrating the Summer of 69 and that was the year my last son was born . He was here on a visit and he picked that part out hadnt even dawned on me lolololol
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Yup--Peter, Paul and Mary sure did do Puff The Magic Dragon--I have that song in my mind too...LOL
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
18 Sep 09
oh oh now I have started something lololololol
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
18 Sep 09
There are so many songs of PP&M that I loved. One of my favorites was the Marvelous Toy. Jet Plane always brings a tear to my eye..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I know Jet Plane does sound sad
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I just saw that this morning on the news. I remember loving their music when I was younger. I don't think I could choose a favorite. I loved all their stuff. They flashed a pic of her on the news....she looked incredibly well for being 72.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Yes I also saw a picture of her and she didn't look that bad....not as bad as Patrick Swayze had become with his cancer
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
18 Sep 09
not at all. Patrick looked every bit as sick as he was. Sad...he was a nice looking guy. The disease really took a toll on his body.
1 person likes this
@jtr115 (722)
• United States
19 Sep 09
When my siblings and I were kids, my dad used to play the ukulele and sing for us. I remember "Puff The Magic Dragon" being one of my favorite songs. "Leaving On A Jet Plane" is another big song of theirs I remember. Whenever I take a Carnival cruise, the dining room staff sings a version of it called "Leaving On A Fun Ship" on the last night of the cruise.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Sep 09
It seems a lot of famous folk are passing away this year, many of them were people I grew up with
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Sep 09
:-( Puff the Magic Dragon Going to the Zoo Don't think twice, it's all right :-(
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane was one of my favorites
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Sep 09
Me too!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
19 Sep 09
The Marvelous Toy - my favorite!
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9208)
• United States
17 Sep 09
It has been quite the year, hasn't it? So sad. Reality bites! Patrick, then Henry Gibson (of Laugh In fame) and now Mary! Peter Paul & Mary were one of the few groups I was able to see in person back in the 70s out in Salt Lake City. I loved the folk songs of our era, and PP&M were among the best renditions around. But, the one song that brought them to my personal attention will never be forgotten by any age group, if we think about it, and that is "Puff the Magic Dragon". It is the epitome of cross-generational favorites!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 09
It certainly has been some year for all the deaths of celebrities. It makes you wonder...who is next?
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Unfortunately, we all die, and it is sad to lose them, but when I hear someone is suffering from a long battle, I am sort of relieved for them, too. Since I believe in an after life, for them, I am happy. I can imagine what a show is going on in Heaven (or whatever people call it). I loved Peter, Paul and Mary and their music was such a part of my youth. Do not rest, Mary, have a ball!! Rest is boring.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Yes a lot of music and dancing must be going on in the "otherworld" as I call it--with all these celebrity deaths though it makes you wonder...who is next?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Sep 09
Wow! Another one gone huh? Yes, Rest in peace. Enjoyed her singing and the group as well. Cancer again! Anger swells in me. Rest in peace. My best to her family.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Yes another great performer is gone due to cancer
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Sep 09
Ya, and the same type that took my father. It is very sad. He did put a heck of a find. Ten long years. I was watching Dirty Dancing tonight. He was a fine actor and fine looking man. And a fine man to boot!
1 person likes this
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
18 Sep 09
I grew up singing "Puff, the magic dragon" and I never knew that Mary Travers is part of the group that sang this song. I never really pay attention to the artist but their songs are really nice.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I in a sense grew up knowing and loving a lot of the songs by Peter, Paul and Mary--seems a lot of the people I "grew" up with are dying this year
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
17 Sep 09
It's strange to think that she was 72....in my mind I still see them as a group like they were back then....they were wonderful! Their songs and their voice....RIP Mary.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
It is weird when you hear of how old different celebrities are now...the ones we grew up with--they always seem the same to me as I remember them years ago
• United States
17 Sep 09
Peter, Paul and Mary was a favorite group of mine and I'm sad that Mary isn't going to be singing for this earthly audience anymore. At 72, she's not really old. One of my favorites goes something like it's raining, and something about an old man bumped his head and he couldn't get up in the morning. I was singing that just the other day. I still have some cassettes of their concerts. I was also sorry to hear about Patrick Swayze losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. I loved him in Dirty Dancing and Ghost.
1 person likes this
17 Sep 09
Hi Pye, This year has been terrible for a lot of celebraties dropping down like flies and and yet another one, I do remember Peter, Paul and Mary and have gor many record colections on my shelve of theis, my favourite is "Blowing In The Wind, it is so sad, to me 72 is still young but this awful cancer seem to take many away from us. R.I.P Mary. Bright Blessings. Tamara
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I don't consider 72 all that old either...maybe cause I'm creeping up in the years as well? But yes this year seems too many of our favorites are passing on
• Australia
19 Sep 09
The first concert I ever went to, in 1964 in Sydney, was PP&M, and I instantly fell in love with Ms Travers. Loved their music, and it was their music which inspired my early repertoire as a professional folk singer. Sad to see her gone, but I'm of an age now where many of my contemporaries/age cohort are beginning to shuffle off this mortal coil. Lash
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I'm there too. So many of the people I grew up with are kicking the bucket--makes me wonder...who's next?
• United States
17 Sep 09
Oh Pye!!!!! -cries- I had not heard this one and she was someone I very much enjoyed and looked up to. My mother used to perform all of their songs for us when I was growing up. We even bought my son the Puff the Magic Dragon book with cd for his first birthday because of my love of that song!!! My favorites are "Blown' in the Wind", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Where have all the flowers gone", and "The Marvelous Toy". Oh, I shall so miss her. I may not have grown up during Woodstock, but my mom did and I'm now what a lot of friends call a modern day hippie. I shall have sad thoughts as I sing to my children tonight, which some are these songs which my mom sang to me as a child. Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 09
Well you may be a "modern" day hippie while I'm an "old" hippie...LOL. With all these deaths this year it kind of makes you wonder who is next---another great folk singer I grew up with, Arlo Guthrie has some degenerative disease like Parkinson's or is it Hodskins?? so I hope he remains well for awhile longer.