Mary Travers, blond beatnik in 1960s folk anthem trio Peter, Paul and Mary, dies at 72

NEW YORK — Mary Travers, one part of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, which used beautiful, tranquil harmonies to convey the angst and turmoil of the Vietnam anti-war movement, racial discrimination and more, died after a yearslong battle with leukemia. She was 72.

Mary Travers Rests In Peace

The most sought after singer from the 1960s folk music movement has passed away. Mary Travers died at 72, leaving behind memorable songs and deep nostalgia. She died in Danbury Hospital in Connecticut on Wednesday.
The blond with the bangs was a huge name in the early 1960s. She was one of the key members of the band where she shared the middle microphone with Peter and Paul on either side. The trio was together responsible in making their band popular. Their popularity reached a greater scale when the songs reached the top-40 radio from their humble beginning as coffeehouse hits.
America got its first taste of the young Bob Dylan through the voice of this band. The song “Blowin’ in the Wind” became a sacred tune for the entire nation. The reunion of the group several years later paved way for tours and several more hits. Age and leukemia could not take away the enthusiasm from Travers. She performed on stage with assistance few months back her demise.
Folk music enthused Travers with ideas concerning sociopolitical issues. Her stage performance a few months back holds testimonial to this. Though she later defended this view, her love for music and the songs of Bob Dylan remained throughout. She was quoted saying “”I’m not sure I want to be singing ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ when I’m 75, But I know I’ll still be singing ‘Blowin’ in the Wind.’ ”
Travers has always defended her band against criticism. Contemporary folk singers’ allegations of “commercial” and not “authentic” sounds were often aimed at the trio. Travers defended these by explaining that it is the mass who enjoys their music and that it was not meant to please any academic collector.

Mary Travers of folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary dead after battle with cancer at 72

BOSTON — Mary Travers, one-third of the popular 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary who were perhaps best known for their hit “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” died in a Connecticut hospital after battling leukemia for several years. She was 72.

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