Navigate Left
  • Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins delivers a presentation on black student experience at Chico State at the Elevating Black Excellence Tipping Point Student Success Summit. Photo courtesy of Alaniz-Wiggins’ Instagram account.

    2024 AS ELECTIONS

    A journey of discovery: AS President Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins

  • The Butte Humane Society is organizing the Woofstock Festival Saturday. The event will raise money to support the animals at the humane society. Courtesy: Butte Humane Society.

    Arts & Entertainment

    Woofstock Music Festival wags its way back to Chico

  • Students in line to check in for the career fair. Taken by Jessica Miller on March 27.

    News

    Border Patrol unexpectedly absent from Chico State career fair

  • The Media, Entertainment, Technology and Immersive Experiences department will be making some major changes. Courtesy: Chico State.

    News

    Chico State to combine journalism, MADT, CAGD programs under one school

  • Lunar Market customers taking a look at a vendor business. Taken by Julianna Rose on Dec. 2, 2023.

    Arts & Entertainment

    Lunar Market’s growth in the Chico community

Navigate Right
Breaking News
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’: Classic song celebrates anniversary

Peter%2C+Paul+and+Mary+was+formed+in+New+York+City+during+1961.Photo+from+official+Facebook+page.
Peter, Paul and Mary was formed in New York City during 1961.Photo from official Facebook page.

Mostly known for being a childhood tune, “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” by American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, was played publicly for the first time on this day in 1963.

About a child’s youth and his loss of imagination for a magical dragon, Puff, it was not only a song but a book and children’s television show in 1978 as well.

The meaning behind the song has faced much controversy for possibly using hidden drug references within the lyrics causing some cities to ban the song from public radio.

And although the group denied these comments, Peter, Paul and Mary are responsible for creating one of the most famous folk tunes.

Like other groups that formed during the folk revival movement in the ’60s, they had a huge influence by other folk greats such as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan.

Michael Arias can be reached at [email protected] or @mikey_arias on Twitter.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Orion Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *