Decades before woke-driven cancellations became all the rage in the late 20teens, arguably the first-ever cultural death sentence was handed down to a pair of big-time musicians — Lovin’ Spoonful singer, guitarist and co-founder Zal Yanovsky (12.19.44 – 12.13.02) and bassist Steve Boone.
Their crime was ratting out a pot dealer, Bill Loughborough, after they were popped for marijuana possession in San Francisco in May 1966.
Fearful of being deported to Canada, Yanovsky (and also Boone apparently) folded under pressure from narcs and fingered Loughborough.
This led to Loughborough and certain members of the underground press ranting and raving over the uncoolness of such a move. It pretty much destroyed the group’s reputation.
