Folk music legend, convicted sex offender dies at 86

Peter Yarrow, the singer-songwriter best known for his work with the iconic folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died.

He was 86 years old.

Yarrow leaves behind a complicated legacy.

Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia.
Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Along with collaborators Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, Yarrow helped shape the musical tastes of an entire generation.

The group's 1962 debut album went double platinum and won two Grammys.

Peter, Paul and Mary later used their platform to boost the careers of lesser-known artists such as Bob Dylan.

The band's cover of Dylan's “Don't Think Twice, It's Alright” is often credited with sparking mainstream interest in his 1963 album. Freewheeling Bob Dylan.

A tarnished legacy

Peter Yarrow attends the "While we are young" New York premiere at the Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York. Peter Yarrow attends the "While we are young" New York premiere at the Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York.
Peter Yarrow attends the New York premiere of “While We're Young” at Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

But Yarrow's success had a dark side. While preparing to launch a solo career in 1970, he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old fan a year earlier.

As Vulture reports that after reaching a deal with prosecutors, Yarrow served three months of a one-to-three-year sentence.

In 1981, he was pardoned by President Jimmy Carter. In 2021, the fan, Barbara Winter, confirmed that Yarrow had abused her repeatedly.

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Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, sings and speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia . Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, sings and speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia .
Peter Yarrow, founding member of the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, sings and speaks about the 1967 March on the Pentagon during a vigil marking the 50th anniversary of the protest in front of the Pentagon on October 20, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia . (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The same year, a second woman sued Yarrow for raping her in 1969, when she was still a minor.

The cause of death of Peter Yarrow

The New York Times confirmed that Yarrow died after a four-year battle with bladder cancer.

Travers died in 2009, leaving Stookie as the sole surviving member of one of the most influential bands of the '60s.

Ben Stiller and Peter Yarrow attend the "While we are young" New York premiere at the Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York. Ben Stiller and Peter Yarrow attend the "While we are young" New York premiere at the Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York.
Ben Stiller and Peter Yarrow attend the New York premiere of “While We're Young” at Paris Theater on March 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Yarrow is survived by his two children and his wife, Mary Beth McCarthy, the niece of 1968 presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy.

Our thoughts are with Yarrow's loved ones at this difficult time.


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