Leaving On a Jet Plane

Friday, September 18, 2009
Phots courtesy www.peterpaulmary.com



There have been so many celebrity deaths this year that I've noticed that my fellow retro bloggers have stopped mentioning them. I did, however, want to recognize Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary for two reasons: 1st, I have recently become a P, P and M fan and second, my mother thinks that I look like her (which would make us a good match for the Separated From a Past Life feature if I can find two good photos that are close enough.) Travers was 72 and lost her battle with leukemia.



A few months ago I watched a nice documentary on the trio's career on PBS; I am sure because of this timely news it will be reaired. What I find most remarkable about their career is the fact that the three of them remained friends right up until the very end, and had only recently stopped performing when Mary got too sick. We all know that many bands in the 60s, 70s, and 80s lasted for only so long before busting up over personal issues. To the best of my knowledge, Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers never had any major dramas. They also sang beautifully, put out some darn good music, and brought attention to social issues. And they gave us a song that was a euphemism for pot - Puff the Magic Dragon!

Here's what Peter and Paul had to say about Mary on the group's website:

Peter Yarrow: "I have no idea what it will be like to have no Mary in my world, in my life, or on stage to sing with. But I do know there will always be a hole in my heart, a place where she will always exist that will never be filled by any other person. However painful her passing is, I am forever grateful for Mary and her place in my life."

Noel Paul Stookey: "i am deadened and heartsick beyond words to consider a life without mary travers and honored beyond my wildest dreams to have shared her spirit and her career."

It is sad, but the music shall live on.

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