The Who2 Blog
Mary Travers Dies at Age 72
The great Mary Travers of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary has died.
The cause was side effects from chemotherapy for leukemia, a disease she had battled since 2004. She rallied after a bone marrow transplant in 2006, but faded this year.
Here's a lovely 1969 video that pretty much says it all about Travers and "the boys," as she called Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey. (The fourth dude is John Denver, who wrote "Leavin' On a Jet Plane.")
As great as her voice is, Mary's real magic shows at about the 0:59 mark, where she passes the lead to Denver -- the way she tosses her head to watch him, and then beams while he sings. She's the bright dot of paint that pulls the whole portrait together.
And that's a sweet little peck she gives Denver there at the very, very end of the clip.
2 comments
In tribute to Mary,thought I'd post the following lyrics to the public domain "Woman of Experience" biographical folk song I wrote about her during the 1980s:"Women of Experience" (chorus)She's a woman of experienceShe's a woman who is strongShe's a woman of intelligenceAnd she likes to sing folk songs.(verses)She was born in Old KentuckyAnd raised in BohemiaHer childhood was so lonelyBut she found some joy in natureHer parents taught her wellTo always think for herselfAnd resist the EstablishmentAnd that's why she sang folk. (chorus)Around her was a crowd of rebelsWriters with words intenseArtists who hoped to change the worldAnd outfox the governmentShe rebelled against dumb authorityAnd refused to ape TV clonesAlienated and abandonedShe sang folk songs at home. (chorus)She wandered in Washington SquareAnd sang along in the parkShe read her quota of booksAnd sat in the coffeshopsShe sang with a couple of menAnd belted out her deep feelingsAnd fought for a better worldAnd they called her the "new folk queen." (chorus)She's been through her familyAnd she's got some new lessons to shareAnd she's collected a lot of wisdomAnd it's still fun to touch her hairAnd she'll give you a passionate hugAnd her spirit is still untamedAnd she brings some love to the worldAnd sings folk songs in the middle of rain. (chorus)
I love their music. I offer my prayers and condolences to the family.