Mary Travers

Mary Travers was an American singer and songwriter, best known as a member of the popular 1960s folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary, along with Noel Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in New York City, where she was exposed to the Greenwich Village folk music scene, which included artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie. Travers' music career was influenced by her friendships with Pete Seeger and The Weavers, and she often performed at venues like Gerde's Folk City and the Bitter End. Her early life and career were also shaped by her experiences at Columbia University and her involvement with the Civil Rights Movement, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Early Life and Career

Mary Travers was born on November 9, 1936, in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents who were both involved in the theater and music scenes. Her family moved to New York City when she was a child, and she grew up in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where she attended P.S. 41 and developed an interest in music and dance. Travers' early musical influences included Jazz and Blues artists like Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, as well as Folk musicians like Pete Seeger and The Weavers. She began performing in coffeehouses and nightclubs in Greenwich Village, including Gerde's Folk City and the Bitter End, where she met other musicians like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Travers also attended Columbia University, where she studied English literature and became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, participating in events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches.

Music Career

Mary Travers' music career took off in the early 1960s when she joined forces with Noel Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow to form the group Peter, Paul and Mary. The trio quickly gained popularity with their harmonious sound and socially conscious lyrics, releasing hit songs like If I Had a Hammer and Blowin' in the Wind, which were written by Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, respectively. They also performed at numerous music festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the Isle of Wight Festival, and appeared on popular television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Travers' music was also influenced by her friendships with other musicians, including Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Carly Simon, and she often performed at benefit concerts for organizations like Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Personal Life

Mary Travers was married four times, including to Barry Feinstein, a photographer who worked with artists like Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. She had two daughters, Erika and Alessandra, and was known for her activism and philanthropy, particularly in the areas of environmentalism and social justice. Travers was also a longtime resident of Redding, Connecticut, where she was involved in local politics and community organizations, including the Redding Land Trust and the Mark Twain Library. Her personal life was also influenced by her friendships with other artists, including Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, and Steve Martin, and she often attended film festivals like the Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

Discography

Mary Travers released several albums with Peter, Paul and Mary, including Peter, Paul and Mary (1962), Moving (1963), and In the Wind (1963). The group's music was a mix of Folk, Rock, and Pop, and they were known for their harmonious sound and socially conscious lyrics. Travers also released solo albums, including Mary (1971) and All My Life (1983), which featured songs written by artists like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Her discography also includes collaborations with other musicians, including Noel Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow, as well as appearances on compilation albums like The Newport Folk Festival and The Best of Peter, Paul and Mary.

Death and Legacy

Mary Travers died on September 16, 2009, at the age of 72, after a long battle with leukemia. Her death was mourned by the music community, with tributes from artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger. Travers' legacy continues to be celebrated through her music, which remains popular to this day, and her influence can be heard in the work of artists like The Indigo Girls, The Dixie Chicks, and The Lumineers. She was also posthumously awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and her music continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, including those involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Black Lives Matter movement. Travers' legacy is also remembered through her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and her support for organizations like Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union. Category:American folk singers