Known for his political songs as well as Puff the Magic Dragon, the group’s co-songwriter died of bladder cancer after being diagnosed four years ago

Peter Yarrow, vocalist with US folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died aged 86. The cause was bladder cancer, which Yarrow had been battling for four years, a publicist confirmed.

Yarrow took lead vocals on Puff the Magic Dragon, The Great Mandala and Day Is Done, songs he either wrote or co-wrote with Noel Paul Stookey. Stookey is the last surviving member of the group; Mary Travers died in 2009.