Peter Yarrow: A Folk Legend Worth Knowing

Peter Yarrow: A Folk Legend Worth Knowing Peter Yarrow might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of music legends, but trust me, this guy deserves a standing ovation. A singer, songwriter, and activist, Peter is best known as one-third of the iconic folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary. If you’ve ever caught yourself humming “Puff, the Magic Dragon” (don’t lie, we all have), you’ve already been serenaded by Yarrow’s musical magic. From Brooklyn to the Big Stage Born on May 31, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, Peter’s journey into the world of music was anything but ordinary. Imagine a young Peter, probably strumming a guitar and wondering if he could actually make a career out of music. Turns out, he could—and then some. Peter attended Cornell University, where he studied psychology. Now, was he planning to analyze minds or write soulful lyrics that tug at heartstrings? Hard to say. But in 1961, fate (and maybe a little luck) introduced him to Paul Stookey and Mary Travers. The trio formed Peter, Paul, and Mary, and the rest is folk history.