Peter Yarrow
Peter Yarrow
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Peter Yarrow is a musician and singer-songwriter, best known as one-third of the American folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on May 31, 1938 (still active today)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Musician, Singer-Songwriter
Early Life and Background
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Peter Yarrow was born in Manhattan, New York City, to Russian immigrant parents. His mother, a singer, encouraged his early interest in music. He began playing the guitar at age 14 and went on to study at Juilliard before dropping out to pursue a career in folk music.
Major Accomplishments
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As part of Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow achieved widespread success with hits like "If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)", "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and "Leaving on a Jet Plane". His powerful vocals and distinctive voice helped establish the trio as one of the leading folk groups of their era. Beyond his work with Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow has released several solo albums and collaborated with other artists.
Notable Works or Actions
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Yarrow's most notable contribution is arguably his involvement in the anti-war movement during the 1960s. He was arrested for attempting to distribute anti-war leaflets on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, an incident that became a defining moment of the era. Yarrow has continued to be an advocate for social justice and human rights causes throughout his career.
Impact and Legacy
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Peter Yarrow's impact on popular music is undeniable. His work with Peter, Paul and Mary helped pave the way for other folk artists and influenced generations of musicians. Beyond his musical contributions, Yarrow's commitment to social activism has made him a respected figure in the world of politics and philanthropy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Peter Yarrow is widely quoted and remembered for his powerful voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and unwavering dedication to using music as a force for good. His contributions to the folk movement and his enduring commitment to social justice have cemented his place in American cultural history.
Quotes by Peter Yarrow
To cure the violence, we must identify and heal the causes of hatred and violence. If we don't deal with the causes we will never be safe.
We Americans are world leaders and we must lead by example – particularly in times that require careful deliberation before any precipitous action – lest we fail to walk in the shoes of those we might injure.
The ethic behind songs of conscience doesn’t change, even though the issues are altered from generation to generation.
People may say ‘What can I do? I’m only one person.’ But we’ve proven that when we come together demonstrate, and speak our piece, there is no way the power structure can avoid being attentive.
The songs we sing invite the participation of the listener, who is central to finding a way of creating the life of the song at that listening. It’s the difference between poetry and didactic writing. One tells you, ‘This is it,’ and the other says, ‘Let’s find this together.’
Such honesty comes with a price, but when you get past the hurt and shock of realizing that you’re faulted and frequently wrong, you also realize that you are really loved and respected for who you are, and you become a better person.
Such times of crisis have inevitably brought ‘music of conscience’ to the fore and I expect we will be hearing more and more of it in the immediate future. When people feel empowered to come together and raise their voices, also will mean raising their voices in song as well.
There is only one river. There is only one sea. And it flows through you, and it flows through me. There is only one people. We are one and the same. We are all one spirit. We are all one name.
People may say 'What can I do? I'm only one person.' But we've proven that when we come together demonstrate, and speak our piece, there is no way the power structure can avoid being attentive.
A flip-flopper is an intelligent person who changes position when the circumstance changes.