She sang the music that gave the voice to a generation. Popular folk singer Mary Travers from the 1960’s band Peter, Paul And Mary has died. She was 72. Her publicist Heather Lylis
has confirmed that she died of complications from side effects of
treatment for a bone marrow transplant she had after a battle with
leukemia.
Peter,
Paul, and Mary rose to fame in the tumultuous 1960’s, and their music
reflected the issues of the day including civil rights and anti-war
messages. The band performed their hit “If I Had A Hammer” at the
march where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, said Lylis.
Over
the years, Travers became an outspoken proponent for civil rights. She
once said, “We’ve learned that it will take more than one generation to
bring
about change. Those of us who live in a democracy
have a responsibility to be the voice for those whose voices are
stilled.”
Performing as a trio for almost 50 years, Peter, Paul
and Mary were responsible for such hits as “Puff The Magic Dragon,”
“Where Have All The Flowers Gone,” and “Leaving On A Jet Plane.”
Travers
is survived by her sister, Ann Gordon; husband, Ethan Robbins;
daughters, Alicia and Erika; and granddaughters, Wylie and Virginia.
Thanks for the music.
