Folk singer, songwriter, and activist Paul Stookey – born Noel Paul Stookey in Baltimore, Maryland on December 30, 1937 – is best known as one-third of legendary folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary, and as the writer of “The Wedding Song (There Is Love)”, which has become a standard at wedding ceremonies all over the world. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, his family relocated to Birmingham, Michigan when he was 12. His first recording was with his high school band in 1954, but he didn’t come to prominence until he moved to New York and joined forces with fellow folk singers Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers. The trio became part of the folk music revival in the U.S. and released their self-titled debut album in 1962. Peter, Paul, and Mary scored a series of hits throughout the 1960s with “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)” (1962), “Puff (The Magic Dragon)” (1963), “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963), “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” (1967), and “Leaving on a Jet Plane” (1969). The trio broke up in 1970 and the three members pursued their own separate careers. Paul Stookey released his solo debut album, Paul And, in 1971. The album featured “The Wedding Song (There is Love)”, which he wrote as a wedding gift for Peter Yarrow. The song has since become a wedding classic. Paul Stookey signed over the copyright of the song to non-profit organization Public Domain Foundation, which facilitates the creation and impact of music for social change. He also began to express his Christian faith in his music, performing with several band and continuing to release solo material. Peter, Paul, and Mary played several reunion shows in the 1970s but reunited on a semi-permanent basis in 1981. They continued to tour and record until Mary Travers’ death in 2009. Just before her death, Rhino Records / Warner Bros. Records released The Solo Recordings: 1971-1972, a three CD set containing the debut solo albums by each member of the trio. Noel Paul Stookey’s solo catalog includes the albums Real to Reel (1977), Band & Bodyworks (1979), Facets (2007), and Just Cause (2021).
