Thank You, Mary Travers

I was 10 when I first saw Peter, Paul & Mary looking out of an album cover with their names chalked on a brick wall. I memorized their features as I listened to their voices. I could not believe so much music came from three singers, two guitars, and a bass. Their harmonies made me feel cradled in sound. They were too cool for me, of course, not to mention older by 15 or 20 years, but I felt they were my people. Why not? I could play all their songs, except for a couple of the bar chords.

I didn't have my own stereo. I wasn't living in my own house. I was staying with extended family, and I was usually in trouble. My slightly older cousin was nuts about some off-key British jerks called the Rolling Stones. We waged undeclared war over the record player. I wished I could break the damn Stones record, but she'd have hunted me down. Instead I waited for a clear coast and soaked up Peter, Paul & Mary when nobody was around.

Later that same alienated adolescent year, I got a ticket to see Peter, Paul & Mary live. I went alone and spent the evening trying to fix every moment in memory. I can still see Peter Yarrow coming onstage with a folded piece of paper. He'd just written a new song, he needed a cheat sheet, we should bear with him. The song was "The Great Mandala," and to be honest, it sort of freaked me out.

Time taught me the value of the Rolling Stones, but I never lost my taste for three-part harmony, and I never stopped loving Peter, Paul & Mary. I grew up and found my way to Greenwich Village, though by then it was 1985 and everybody was listening to Devo. I joined in enormous folk-music parties at my friend Joe's Upper West Side apartment. I ventured out for open-mike night at the folk clubs where Peter, Paul & Mary started. When I sang a song I tried to engage it honestly, as they did. I played for quarters on the streets and sometimes got dollar bills.

At 10, I didn't understand why I was sad to learn that the gorgeous Mary Travers was married to a photographer named Barry Feinstein. Time solved that mystery too. I went on to my own activist career as an editor of The Advocate, the national LGBT newsmagazine.

That's where Peter, Paul & Mary found me. It was March 2004. I was putting together our annual music issue, but I couldn't get my mind on pop stars. George W. Bush had just endorsed the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have amended the U.S. Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage or any future discussion thereof. It literally made me sick.

I decided that rather than profiling one music star, we'd contact many stars and ask each to send a statement expressing their feelings about the Federal Marriage Amendment. The response overwhelmed us. First to accept was Itzhak Perlman. Next came Deborah Voigt. Flea, Ice-T, and Pink were among the 40 artists who joined in.

A day or two before we put the issue to bed, I got a call from a publicist I didn't know. She was reaching out on behalf of Peter, Paul & Mary. They'd heard that I was publishing statements about marriage equality. Could I make room to include them?

I realized then that my child's instincts had been right. Peter, Paul & Mary were my people.
Here's the statement they sent me at The Advocate:

Having sung, demonstrated, and participated as activists for the human rights, civil rights, and dignity of all people, we are totally opposed to the Bush administration's proposed constitutional amendment. Let us rather find ways to embrace one another, all different, all special, and all deserving of being accepted as such--without bias, without prejudice, and, most critically, without the deprivation our rights to full and equal participation in our society.

Mary Travers died on Wednesday, at age 72, of complications from leukemia. I'll miss her.

 

 

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Comments

[Guytar]

I have just realised how big a part Peter Paul and Mary played in my early childhood musical education. Sublime songs and vocals, harmonies and acoustic guitar.

My nephew tells me I was 'brainwashed' as a child by music, peace love and understanding. We had a good chuckle about that.

[ConradMazian]

Peter, Paul, and Mary had a huge impact on me. I absolutely loved their music, and still do. It's too bad that Mary has died, but her work will live on.

[MichiganLiberal]

Peter, Paul, and Mary were about the best thing to happen to American popular culture in the early 1960s. They honored the giants of the previous generation of folk artists (Woody Guthrie, The Weavers) and also championed their own talented contemporaries (Bob Dylan, John Denver). They put social consciousness out front and center and kept it there for decades. They did it with grace, humor, and generous warmth.

Mary Travers was the heart and soul of PPM. I already miss her terribly and can't even begin to imagine the loss that Peter and Noel must feel. We've all lost a great voice, a dear friend, and a beautiful human soul. Thank you, Mary.

[BassguyGG]

Considering the impact Mary Travers had on Folk Music and her times it saddened me to see how her passing was given such short shrift in the Media. PP&M have long been high in my musical pantheon, but I guess too much time had passed since her prime. Now that I think of it PP&M were records my Mom used to play for me when I was a kid. Her legacy will be the wonderful songs and records she left behind. Thank you Mary, rest in peace.

[Anne Stockwell - Huffpost Blogger]

True, it has been a long time. But just reading these comments lets you know that many people got something rich and lasting out of PP&M's music. I've heard stories now from folks who interviewed Mary, met with her, toured with her. My total favorite is the commenter who got a cigarette butt with Mary Travers's lipstick on it.

[TMcKeon]

It makes me feel better to know so many of you feel the way I do about Mary's death. "Puff" was one of the first songs I learned on the guitar when I was nine, and the song my daughters fell asleep to every night when they were babies, along with "Stewball" and "500 Miles." I get teary-eyed over the days of '60s folk music, and both my girls feel cheated that they missed out on it, as they should. In this age of fury and rage. . . we need love between our brothers and our sisters, all over this land.

[Bill OFallon]

I will look forward to meeting her in the After Life. But not yet..... not yet!

"All my trials, Lord, soon be over"

[Anne Stockwell - Huffpost Blogger]

You said it, brother.

[dtghope]

The first time I saw Ms. Mary Travers on television, she was singing the lead on Pete Seeger's 'If I Had a Hammer' in such a strong, free-spirited way --- with her long flowing blonde hair cascading in the wind, as it swept around and across her face --- she cut such a fierce and charismatic figure.

She was the first young, vibrant and self-assured ''public' female-figure I had seen, and it was quite riveting to behold.

Over time, I learned that her talent was matched by her deeply compassionate nature, and a warmth and love for others, of every colour and creed.

She was really one of the great ones --- and will be sorely missed.

Blessedly, we have her music and video footage and interviews to draw upon for much needed inspiration and hope.

May you rest in peace, Ms. Travers.

[Anne Stockwell - Huffpost Blogger]

I wonder what new song they'd be singing about healthcare. Any suggestions?

[Rose10]

Mary was a rare presence and a rare talent. She will be deeply missed. Her support of social causes
encouraged folks to deepen their sense of political responsibility. "Jesus Is On The Wire", ( a song written by singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins) is a current example PP &M's continued commitment to social issues. God bless you Mary.

[mariah793]

I always loved the way she sang the line "We'll hammer out Justice".

We need that today. We need it all. We miss the music.

[Lavina]

Thanks for your story. We will miss her very much.

[Cindy Radtke]

I grew up listening to PPM (the beneficiary of my brother Mike's rich folk record collection) and thought Mary had the most beautiful clear voice I'd ever heard. Their gorgeous, luscious 3-part harmonies still move me. Anne, you captured perfectly the sweetness of PPM's influence on people (such as I) whose lives were made a little happier by their beautiful music. Their courageous politicism served as a beacon of hope for me and countless others. I will sorely miss Mary, and you do honor to her memory.

[MadxAsxHell]

Funny, one of the most haunting songs they ever sang hasn't been mentioned: "500 Miles"
"If you miss the train I'm on
You will know that I am gone...."
I must have first heard that song in 1962...I found a YouTube of them at the April 1971 Anti-war rally in DC. I must have been there but I guess we were too far from the stage. That clip may be the ONLY time I ever heard Mary Travers make a musical mistake--she garbled the lyrics of Blowin' in The Wind! Laughed it off and kept singing and messed 'em up again!

Her beauty was eternal even when her goddess-like physical beauty had crumbled. Her voice was glorious, even when it got rough and deep. Her smile never failed to light up the sky. And her spirit was as alive and full of hope when she was dying as when she was the young rising beatnik.

Noel was usually the Earth, and Peter was generally the Wind, but Mary was always the Fire.

[missannie]

PP&M's music and dedication to human rights and social justice caues have made a significant impact on our world. RIP, Mary. You'll be sorely missed. Peter and Paul - please continue to carry the torch with Mary's spirit to guide you.

[teachpeace2all]

This truly seems like the end of an era. We went to every concert we could, and they were even better in person. Such a clear sound and a wonderful take on peace. I never thought that I would get this sentimental about the passing of a celebrity, but Peter, Paul, and Mary meant so much to me. Their outlook on life was/is remarkable. Peace.

[NDNlady]

Peter Yarrow and I are long time friends through our mutual involvement with the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. There were a few times over the years that Peter was able to convince Noel and Mary to do a PPM reunion at Kerrville when the festival was in precarious financial straits. Those are some of my most magical memories out of over thirty-five years of an incredible musical history at this little gem of a festival. Peter is our brother, immersing himself in our festival community, totally unassuming and natural. Just one of us, we could at times almost take his presence for granted, weird as that might sound. But on the years when he cajoled Noel and Mary to join him, we would be suddenly and startlingly reminded of his true stature in the world outside our little rugged outdoor theater. The memory of the legacy they shared with us; their pure and true harmonies soaring under the starry Texas sky will be with me always.

Mary was always so gracious and generous when she was with us. She was a little testy with Peter when he introduced me to her as having "the most beautiful baby in the world" when she had just shown him pictures of her new grandbaby! But I completely understood! I only wish words could express my love and sympathy to her family and to Peter and Noel. The heavenly choir is richer tonite by an incredible voice and a loving spirit.