The music world lost a mighty voice. Mary Travers died of cancer at the age of 72. She was the female component of the folk trio Peter Paul and Mary, a group who helped provide the soundtrack to Vietnam war protests and the civil rights movements in the 1960’s. The singing group’s brand of political activism took a kinder, gentler form — and was far more effective — than the disorganized hate-speak and anger antics of many artists on stage today.
National Mall, Washington, D.C. August 1963 Peter, Paul and Mary sing the Bob Dylan song “Blowin’ in the Wind” at the civil rights March on Washington. The lyrics say, “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” and on this day the wind carried Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic speech to the ears of the entire nation. (One of over 200 photos in “Hollywood on the Potomac“)
Never shouty, always melodic, the group fueled crowds by inspiring a peaceful form of activism by the throngs that assembled during many of their most memorable appearances on the National Mall and elsewhere. Many of Peter, Paul and Mary’s biggest hits were penned by the granddaddy of folk, Bob Dylan, such as “Blowin in the Wind,” and “The Times They Are a Changin.” Travers had a beautiful, harmonious voice, but she made an impact with her appearance as well — tall, blond and striking on stage when flanked by guitarists Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow.
If one were to assign a poltiical label to Mary Travers, it most certainly would be ‘liberal.’ She sang out against nuclear energy, and war of nearly every kind and for peace in Central America in the 1980’s. But her folk trio was a tour-de-force when rallying millions toward the realization that the time had come for civil rights in the early 1960’s. They performed “If I Had A Hammer” at the 1963 March on Washington, just before Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There’s no doubt, that day will live on infinitely for America and Mary Travers was there.
Travers leaves a legacy of powerful folk music, but also a timely lesson: no matter what one’s political beliefs, we all owe it to ourselves to listen and make up our own minds. Did she always have a just cause? She certainly thought so, and thank God she lived in a country where her voice could be heard.