Preface

Through this book, we wanted to tell the visual story,

and create an accompanying narrative, that could

who had come before us and who had inspired previous

generations in earlier struggles.

provide an in-depth sense of what Peter, Paul and Mary

stood for, lived, and shared. Peter, Paul and Mary: Fifty

All three of our voices created the narrative of this

Years in Music and Life presents the arc of the trios fifty-year

book. You will not know who wrote what, but as in our music,

association, as well as a glimpse of the crucible of change

you will know that what finally emerged is the distillation of

and progress that the country experienced in the decades

a group process that characterized the way we decided

we shared together.

on the causes we chose to pursue, the choices of our songs,

and the creation of their arrangements.

We are grateful to see our journey captured in remarkable images that were taken by so many superbly gifted

We agreed right from the start that our musical efforts

photographers, as well as some talented friends who, as

and social-political advocacies had to be agreed upon

amateurs, captured some of our more private moments with

unanimously. Any one of us could say no, which could

great taste and sensitivity.

be maddening at times; however, this agreement kept us

honest, on an equal footing, and compelled us to find a

The story that winds through these images offers a

way to agree. In retrospect, the results were better and truer

candid look at what we were feeling and experiencing at

to ourselves than what we might have come to without this

a time in which we found ourselves in the eye of the storm.

agreement. Consensus, it was called, and consensus it still

These times witnessed a mighty struggle, emanating mainly

isand that is the way this book was created.

from grassroots, ordinary citizens, rather than from a topdown effort, to remedy some of the most egregious failures

Noel and Peters words have been merged, revised,

of our society and move us toward greater justice and, we

and revised again, to create this books narrative. Marys

dearly hoped, peace.

words and perspectivedrawn from her writings, interviews,

and conversationswere, more than anything, curated and

Through our music, our appearances at demonstra-

represented by her great friend, yet another strong woman,

tions, and, in fact, at every concert, we tried to share and

our manager, Martha Hertzberg, who also became the

contribute to the ardent messages of folk singers and writers

books photo editor, a task that compelled her to sift through

Preface

hundreds and hundreds of photographs to create the visual

career, US Secretary of State John F. Kerry. John comes from

story line.

a place of deep solidarity of spirit, great personal friendship,

and mutual affection forged over many decades.In

The credit for conceiving Peter, Paul and Mary: Fifty

November of 2009, Johns words catalyzed Marys memorial

Years in Music and Life belongs to Charlie Nurnberg, one of

with their love, irony, and humor in a tribute of tributes,

the most respected, prolific, and creative publishers in the

and here in his foreword, celebrating the trios fifty years

business. Charlie knows how to insist on a standard of quality

together, he honors us once again. Johns words pay Peter,

that accompanies the books he publishes, and, gratefully,

Paul and Mary as great a compliment as we have ever

he also affords his fellow creators the kind of respect that

received. His words humble us.

allows their imaginations and creativity to run free.

One could not ask for more caring and wonderful
The design of this book is the work of a dear friend
of the trio, Maria Villar, who has worked with us on many

partners to help create this books retelling of the many

years the trio spent together.

projects including our retrospective box set, and has

become our go to person when we need the skill of a

With all our gratitude,

gifted graphic designer, especially so during this last decade

Peter, Paul and Mary

of our career.
Charlie Nurnberg chose Dawn Cusick to be the editor
of the reams of writing that had to be collated and crafted
into a coherent story that accompanies the photographs.
Dawns editorial skills, combined with her deep regard
for the trios history, is greatly appreciated, as well as her
personal embrace of what we sought to achieve.
Finally, there is the startlingly moving introduction
written by our dear friend and ally for the majority of our