In Memoriam
Mary Travers
November 9, 1936 – September 16, 2009 · aged 72
Folk · Pop
Mary Allin Travers was the impassioned, charismatic blonde focal point of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Born in 1936, Travers possessed a booming, earnest voice that helped carry the American folk music revival of the 1960s straight into the mainstream pop charts. Alongside Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey, she delivered pristine vocal harmonies on timeless classics like 'Puff, the Magic Dragon,' 'If I Had a Hammer,' and 'Leaving on a Jet Plane.' More than just entertainers, the trio were fierce activists, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and performing 'Blowin' in the Wind' at the 1963 March on Washington. Travers's unwavering commitment to civil rights and social justice was inextricably woven into her musical identity. After battling leukemia for several years, she passed away on September 16, 2009, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of harmony, hope, and protest.
Milestones
Puff the Magic Dragon, Leaving on a Jet Plane, Blowin' in the Wind
Also remembered in 2009
- Koko Taylor (1928–2009)
- Les Paul (1915–2009)
- Michael Jackson (1958–2009)
- Ron Asheton (1948–2009)