RIP Mary Travis, (Peter, Paul and Mary) - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

historyteach · 09-17-2009, 06:12 PM

The world lost a bright light today. Mary Travis, of the 1960's folk group, Peter, Paul and Mary, died today of leukemia. She was 72 years old.

Mary Travers of 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary dead at 72 after battle with leukemia | StarTribune.com

The three part harmony of Peter, Paul and Mary, combined with their search for social justice in the songs resonated with the American public. They marched with Martin Luther King Jr and sang in Washington when he gave his "I have a Dream" speach. They were fierce opponents of the Vietnam War and the conflict in El Salvador and more. They won five Grammy Awards, for songs like, Puff the Magic Dragon, (no, not a song about pot!), Blowin' in the Wind, Lemon Tree, Leaving on a Jet Plane, and If I had a Hammer. Oh, and so many, many more.

I spent many happy hours in my childhood, singing to the records of Peter, Paul and Mary. I learned how to sing harmony singing along with them. I learned to play guitar to their songs. And to this day, I still enjoy their music.

The world has lost a bit of beauty today. A light has dimmed with the passing of Mary Travis.
May she rest in peace.

Shalom!

**Ann** · 09-20-2009, 09:45 AM

I too was sorry to hear of her passing. I was lucky enough to meet all three of them at a fundraiser in Toronto several years back and they all were very warm, giving and kindhearted people who gave much to the world through their music.

Mary Travis impressed me most, because she shared about being a single mom and how working and traveling had been difficult when her daughter was young and I have no doubt that she was a terrific mom regardless of the circumstances. Individually they were each down to earth ordinary people who never lost sight about what mattered in this world and as a group they were talented in an extraordinary way.

I will always be grateful for that time and all I have learned from them through their stories and their music.

May she rest in peace in the arms of God and my prayers go out for all who loved her. She will be missed.

Hugs

historyteach · 09-20-2009, 11:35 AM

Ann,

Thanks for sharing that story about meeting PP&M. How wonderful that must have been!

I saw them perform twice. Once was at the original site of the Newport Folk Festival - Festival Field, as it was referred to back then in the '60s. I was just a young child then. It was a beautiful summer day, I remember. And I was impressed with all the people there to see the performers. I was too young to really understand their importance in the transformation of the US. My mom took me to see them. She was truely moved by the social causes that PP&M endorsed in song.

And another time, years later, my mom, sisters and I saw PP&M perform at the Warwick Tent. We all sang along with them, and just had a fantastic time, reliving memories of earlier days. Such a nice night....

I guess I'm feeling nostalgic. They were difficult times, indeed, but, the payoff was well worth the trouble, I believe. And PP&M helped this young child develop a social conscious with thier harmonies. I am grateful.

Shalom!

**Ann** · 09-21-2009, 04:08 AM

The first time I saw them was at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, and our seats were first row balcony.

There was a part of their show where they each sang solo, and while Mary was singing I was startled by a man who had come down the balcony aisle to check the sound system because they had a little trouble with it and he wanted to make sure it was working. It was Paul, concerned that everyone got to enjoy the show without problems.

And I remember that on the way in to that show, the people in line were all kidding about forgetting our love beads and peasant blouses, memories of earlier times. Then, as the show began Peter told us of where they had been, El Salvador, working with Amnesty International to help victims of the civil war. First intermission the mood had changed from love beads to "Wow, they are still doing it. What are WE doing to help the world?"

Yes, they touched my heart in a very special way, a way that will never be forgotten.

Hugs

***51anna*** · 09-22-2009, 08:32 AM

I was lucky enough to see Peter, Paul & Mary perform 3 times!

There is nothing quite like a huge arena full of people singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" together!

I think what impressed me most about Mary (and Peter & Paul) was that their songs were who they were. They not only sang about peace and justice in our world, but they lived it.

historyteach · 09-22-2009, 05:54 PM

I agree, Anna.
It wasn't a staged presence. They meant it; they lived it. And we felt it in their music.
And that's why they had the staying power of over 40 years!
You can't "fake" it for that long.
It's real.
When you listen to PP&M, you are really moved by their music.
Whether you're alone
Or in a crowded arena of thousands!

You know, I guess I'm just grateful that I lived in the time that I witnessed such great musicians...and the times that made them!

Shalom!

**Dee74** · 09-22-2009, 06:01 PM

Never saw them but their music, and the music of their friends, touched me too

RIP Mary
D

Rusty Zipper · 09-22-2009, 07:09 PM

i saw mary a lot at the local flea markets, and she purchased items over the years from me...

we did have some good talks too...

always loved her perspective, and love of life...

haven't seen her once this season...

RIP Mary

historyteach · 09-23-2009, 04:13 PM

Pattee,
That's such a cool share.
You knew Mary in a totally different way; just as a person buying stuff at a flea market!
While I always thought of her as the "performer."
And of course, performers have lives that they have to live too! LOL!
Thanks for sharing the everyday side of Mary Travis...

Shalom!

09-17-2009, 06:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,882	RIP Mary Travis, (Peter, Paul and Mary) The world lost a bright light today. Mary Travis, of the 1960's folk group, Peter, Paul and Mary, died today of leukemia. She was 72 years old. Mary Travers of 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary dead at 72 after battle with leukemia \| StarTribune.com The three part harmony of Peter, Paul and Mary, combined with their search for social justice in the songs resonated with the American public. They marched with Martin Luther King Jr and sang in Washington when he gave his "I have a Dream" speach. They were fierce opponents of the Vietnam War and the conflict in El Salvador and more. They won five Grammy Awards, for songs like, Puff the Magic Dragon, (no, not a song about pot!), Blowin' in the Wind, Lemon Tree, Leaving on a Jet Plane, and If I had a Hammer. Oh, and so many, many more. I spent many happy hours in my childhood, singing to the records of Peter, Paul and Mary. I learned how to sing harmony singing along with them. I learned to play guitar to their songs. And to this day, I still enjoy their music. The world has lost a bit of beauty today. A light has dimmed with the passing of Mary Travis. May she rest in peace. Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

09-20-2009, 09:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ann Sharing Our Light Glop 2:Glops Revenge Champion! Ray Ray Shuffle Champion! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 18,168	I too was sorry to hear of her passing. I was lucky enough to meet all three of them at a fundraiser in Toronto several years back and they all were very warm, giving and kindhearted people who gave much to the world through their music. Mary Travis impressed me most, because she shared about being a single mom and how working and traveling had been difficult when her daughter was young and I have no doubt that she was a terrific mom regardless of the circumstances. Individually they were each down to earth ordinary people who never lost sight about what mattered in this world and as a group they were talented in an extraordinary way. I will always be grateful for that time and all I have learned from them through their stories and their music. May she rest in peace in the arms of God and my prayers go out for all who loved her. She will be missed. Hugs __________________ Somewhere between the gator swamp and the Taj Mahal there is a path, it may be hidden, overgrown or may blend in with the other surroundings, but it is there, it's your path and it is calling you.~Frankly~

09-20-2009, 11:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,882	Ann, Thanks for sharing that story about meeting PP&M. How wonderful that must have been! I saw them perform twice. Once was at the original site of the Newport Folk Festival - Festival Field, as it was referred to back then in the '60s. I was just a young child then. It was a beautiful summer day, I remember. And I was impressed with all the people there to see the performers. I was too young to really understand their importance in the transformation of the US. My mom took me to see them. She was truely moved by the social causes that PP&M endorsed in song. And another time, years later, my mom, sisters and I saw PP&M perform at the Warwick Tent. We all sang along with them, and just had a fantastic time, reliving memories of earlier days. Such a nice night.... I guess I'm feeling nostalgic. They were difficult times, indeed, but, the payoff was well worth the trouble, I believe. And PP&M helped this young child develop a social conscious with thier harmonies. I am grateful. Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

09-21-2009, 04:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ann Sharing Our Light Glop 2:Glops Revenge Champion! Ray Ray Shuffle Champion! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 18,168	The first time I saw them was at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, and our seats were first row balcony. There was a part of their show where they each sang solo, and while Mary was singing I was startled by a man who had come down the balcony aisle to check the sound system because they had a little trouble with it and he wanted to make sure it was working. It was Paul, concerned that everyone got to enjoy the show without problems. And I remember that on the way in to that show, the people in line were all kidding about forgetting our love beads and peasant blouses, memories of earlier times. Then, as the show began Peter told us of where they had been, El Salvador, working with Amnesty International to help victims of the civil war. First intermission the mood had changed from love beads to "Wow, they are still doing it. What are WE doing to help the world?" Yes, they touched my heart in a very special way, a way that will never be forgotten. Hugs __________________ Somewhere between the gator swamp and the Taj Mahal there is a path, it may be hidden, overgrown or may blend in with the other surroundings, but it is there, it's your path and it is calling you.~Frankly~

09-22-2009, 08:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
*51anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 14,732	I was lucky enough to see Peter, Paul & Mary perform 3 times! There is nothing quite like a huge arena full of people singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" together! I think what impressed me most about Mary (and Peter & Paul) was that their songs were who they were. They not only sang about peace and justice in our world, but they lived it. __________________ Anna And I dont know what the future is holding in store I dont know where Im going, Im not sure where I've been There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I dont need to see the end. John Denver

09-22-2009, 05:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,882	I agree, Anna. It wasn't a staged presence. They meant it; they lived it. And we felt it in their music. And that's why they had the staying power of over 40 years! You can't "fake" it for that long. It's real. When you listen to PP&M, you are really moved by their music. Whether you're alone Or in a crowded arena of thousands! You know, I guess I'm just grateful that I lived in the time that I witnessed such great musicians...and the times that made them! Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

09-22-2009, 06:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dee74 Forum Leader Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 14,655	Never saw them but their music, and the music of their friends, touched me too RIP Mary D __________________ May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.

09-22-2009, 07:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 20,961	i saw mary a lot at the local flea markets, and she purchased items over the years from me... we did have some good talks too... always loved her perspective, and love of life... haven't seen her once this season... RIP Mary __________________ *Rule 62*

09-23-2009, 04:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,882	Pattee, That's such a cool share. You knew Mary in a totally different way; just as a person buying stuff at a flea market! While I always thought of her as the "performer." And of course, performers have lives that they have to live too! LOL! Thanks for sharing the everyday side of Mary Travis... Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

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