I was saddened to read about the passing of Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary, the folk music trail blazers from the ’60’s. I had the  pleasure of interviewing Mary years ago back stage after a sound check and before a concert appearance in Milwaukee way back in the mid-70’s.


I didn’t to tell her how absolutely awestruck I was, and that she had been my idol while growing up during my wonder years. In fact, I used to play in a folk trio myself, “The Midwest”, and we modeled ourselves a lot after PPM. I even had long blond straight hair  and bangs back then!  One of the first songs I learned to play on my guitar was, this one, penned by John Denver (appearing here), “Leaving On A Jet Plane”


I feel like in many respects Mary Travers taught me how to sing. I used to play that song off “Album 1700”  and sing to it until the grooves wore thin. That tune became the Midwest’s signature song, of sorts, and one of my personal bests. Mary Travers was an alto, like me.

Tonight I walked out into the back yard and sang it again, sans guitar, holding back  tears.

“Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, I’ll be on my way

Dream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone

About the time, I won’r have to say

Kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go

‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again

Oh Babe, I hate to go”