Medical historians say that the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” obscures a past during which this country’s people ate, smoked and drank things that mostly left them unwell.

He began performing at 4 alongside his father, the celebrated singer and guitarist Josh White, and later carved out his own career.

The folk trio he formed with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers became a pop phenomenon, scoring hits like “If I Had a Hammer” and “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

With Peter, Paul and Mary, the musician, who died on Tuesday at 86, eased folk songs into the Top 10.