Folk singer dropped from festival lineup over 1969 incident with 14-year-old girl

The musician was known for hits such as 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' and 'If I Had A Hammer'

(AP)

A member of the 1960’s folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary has been removed from a New York festival lineup for taking “indecent liberties” with a 14-year-old girl 50 years ago.

Peter Yarrow was disinvited to Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival after social media backlash surrounding the 1969 incident.

The folk musician was set to perform on 9 September, 2019.

Mr Yarrow opened a hotel room door naked in front of a 14 and 17-year-old pair of sisters seeking autographs, resulting in his indecent liberties charge.

Mr Yarrow was sentenced to three months, but was later pardoned by President Jimmy Carter.

"When booking this artist we were not aware of news stories about an incident involving Yarrow in 1970," said Colorscape's board president Melissa DeCordova to local paper The Press & Sun-Bulletin.

"Some members of our community expressed concern, and after further investigation and careful consideration, the decision was made to remove Yarrow from the music schedule."

Peter, Paul, and Mary made much of the iconic music of their time, including songs like “If I Had A Hammer”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, and “Puff (The Magic Dragon)”.

The arts festival plans to announce another performer for the September date.