Controversial 60s folk legend who wrote Puff The Magic Dragon and always denied its meaning is dead at 86

Peter Yarrow who was part of the legendary 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul, And Mary who are best known for iconic song Puff The Magic Dragon is dead at 86.

The controversial musician passed away after battling bladder cancer for four years his publicist confirmed.

He was the lead vocalist of the hit track Puff The Magic Dragon - which was released in 1960 - as he denied that the song was about drugs for years which is what many had believed.

Yarrow staunchly denied that it was about drug taking and has maintained that the actual meaning of the song is about the hardships of growing up.

The musician has previously said that the song 'never had any meaning other than the obvious one' and is about the 'loss of innocence in children.'

Yarrow had also been embroiled in controversy as he was sentenced to three months in jail over a 1969 incident in which the 14-year-old and her 17-year-old sister went to his hotel seeking an autograph and he answered the door naked.

Former president Jimmy Carter pardoned Yarrow in 1981. 

The other two members of Peter, Paul, And Mary were Paul Stookey who played guitar and provided baritone vocals and Mary Travers who provided the contralto vocals.

Stookey is now the last surviving member of the group as Mary Travers died at the age of 72 in 2009 amid a leukemia battle.