Mary Travers, the Mary of Peter, Paul And Mary, has died aged 72 after losing a long battle with leukaemia.
A leading act from America's sixties folk scene, Travers, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey started performing together at the start of that decade in New York's Greenwich Village. Although starting out with harmonious performances of songs like 'Mary Had A Little Lamb', they became more known for the liberal political messages they delivered both within their songs and in general. Their version of 'If I Had a Hammer' became an anthem for racial equality, as well as winning the trio a Best Folk Grammy.
The band had a string of hits, and maintained their mainstream appeal despite being outspoken against the Vietnam War. Notable songs included 'Lemon Tree', 'Moving' and, of course, 'Puff (The Magic Dragon)'. And then, through third album 'In The Wind', they brought the folk scene's attention to the work of a certain Bob Dylan, who had written three songs on that long player, including 'Blowin In The Wind'.
Many have noted that Travers in particular played an important role in the success of the folk trio. Billboard cite New York Times critic Robert Shelton who noted: "Sex appeal as a keystone for a folk-song group was the idea of the group's manager, Albert B Grossman, who searched for months for 'the girl' until he decided on Miss Travers".
Peter, Paul And Mary resisted the temptation to follow Dylan and move into so called folk-rock, but still enjoyed success as a trio until they disbanded in 1971. Travers launched a solo career and, although never recreating the success of the sixties, did release five solo albums. The trio remained on good terms and occasionally regrouped, while all three continued to be politically active, speaking out on key issues of the day.
Travers was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this decade, though responded well to a bone marrow transplant and was able to return to performing. But Yarrow told a Washington radio station earlier this year that her condition had worsened again and that it seemed unlikely she'd be able to perform.
The band's publicist, Heather Lylis, confirmed last night that Travers died at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut yesterday.