Remembering Peter, Paul & Mary

Editor’s Note: This article commemorates Peter Yarrow (May 31, 1938 – January 7, 2025), who recently passed away. I had tickets to see Peter, but the concert was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Al  

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David Budries, a seasoned sound engineer/sound designer with decades of professional

experience, had his first taste of live music magic at just 17 years old. It wasn’t in a state-of-the-art studio or an iconic concert venue, but in the modest gymnasium of Port Chester High School, a small-town school in Westchester County, New York. That evening, the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary performed a benefit concert that would forever shape Budries’ love of music and sound. 

Port Chester High School, located in a village just two and a half square miles in size, had about 1,400 students in the early 1970s. Budries, a member of his senior class administration and a budding rock band keyboardist, was part of a group tasked with raising funds for senior events. He and his classmates decided to aim high, reaching out to Noel Paul Stookey—Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary— who lived nearby in Rye, New York. 

“We didn’t think we had a chance,” Budries said. “It was a long shot—a group of high school kids with no connections. But somehow, it worked.” 

At the time, Peter, Paul and Mary were nearing the end of their first chapter as a trio. Formed in 1961, they had become icons of the folk revival, known for their stirring harmonies and socially conscious repertoire. Songs like *“If I Had a Hammer,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,”* and *“Puff, the Magic Dragon”* had cemented their place in music history. While the group disbanded in 1970 to pursue individual projects, their legacy of unity and activism remained undiminished.

The high school gymnasium was chosen as the concert venue, but there was one glaring issue: the school had no sound system capable of handling a professional performance. Undaunted, Budries stepped up to the challenge. 

“I didn’t know much about sound engineering back then,” he admitted, “But I wasn’t afraid to experiment.”

With parts sourced from local stores like Radio Shack, and wood cabinets made in his back yard, Budries built his own loudspeakers, crafting the cabinets by hand. He procured a single, used microphone, a Shure Unidyne DY11, and pieced together a basic mixer and amplifier. “It was incredibly rudimentary,” he said. “One microphone for three singers and two guitars. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.”

Despite the limitations, the concert was nothing short of magical. “They were so approachable, dressed casually, and exuded warmth,” Budries recalled.

The trio delivered a 30-minute set of beloved classics, including *“If I Had a

Hammer”* and *“Puff, the Magic Dragon.”* 

Peter, Paul and Mary were the brainchild of Albert Grossman, a talent manager who envisioned a folk group that could blend the political urgency of Pete Seeger with mainstream appeal. Peter Yarrow, a New York City native, was a songwriter and activist deeply committed to social justice. Mary Travers, with her striking alto voice, grew up surrounded by folk legends in Greenwich Village. Noel Paul Stookey, originally from Michigan, brought humor, spirituality, and a baritone voice that completed the group’s signature sound.

Their debut album soared to No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1962, and the trio played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, performing at the 1963 March on Washington alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

For Budries, that high school concert was transformative. “It was incredible

to be part of something so special,” he said. “Here we were, a small-town school, hosting these folk legends. It felt surreal.”

The experience also set the stage for his future career. Budries would go on to work with many different artists from Keith Jarrett to Johnny Cash, but the humility and authenticity of Peter, Paul and Mary left an indelible impression. “They weren’t about ego or fame,” he said. “It was always about the music and the message.” 

The folk trio’s legacy remains profound. Mary Travers passed away in 2009, and Peter Yarrow recently passed away. Noel Paul Stookey, now 87, continues to write, perform, and advocate for social causes.

As for Budries, that high school gymnasium concert remains a cherished memory. “Looking back, I’m amazed we pulled it off,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. And Peter, Paul and Mary made it unforgettable.”

~ David Budries/Al Zagofsky