Mary Travers, like so many musical artists that have impacted my life, has seemingly been singing forever. As a kid in the 60s, I bought Peter, Paul and Mary records and listened. Later, as a DJ, I played their songs on the radio. Then, I attended many of their concerts in person. Their music became part of the fabric of my life.
Their politics jelled with mine. I met Noel Stookey (Paul) at a party and really liked him. Later, I attended a class with Peter Yarrow, when his politics was attacked by a right-wing student. Peter engaged the student and savored the moment. Since we both live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, we shared a cab home after the event. Peter was ecstatic during the taxi ride; he loves the political fray. Mary was the same way.
When I view the films of Peter, Paul and Mary during the Newport Folk Festivals in the 1960s, I’m struck by the incredible beauty of Mary Travers. She was a striking woman—a fact that no doubt contributed to the group’s phenomenal success. But she was also remarkably intelligent and totally fearless, taking on the causes the group believed in. That’s a rare quality in today’s music business.
Though I never met Mary Travers, she was a big part of my musical life. I grew up with her songs and they sustained me through the years. To think I will never hear Peter, Paul and Mary sing together again in concert makes me very sad.
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Peter, Paul and Mary in the 1960s.
