The Lovin’ Spoonful Fire Guitarist Jerry Yester After Child Pornography Charges
The Lovin' Spoonful have dismissed longtime guitarist Jerry Yester after his arrest for 30 counts of child pornography. Yester's arrest, confirmed by People, was the result of an investigation by the Arkansas Attorney General's Cyber Crimes unit, which traced the download of the felonious content to a computer at his address. According to reports, he was released on a $35,000 bond after being booked Oct. 5.
"We are as numbed and shocked as the public is about these serious charges that have been brought against guitarist Jerry Yester, whom has been replaced and is no longer a member of our group," the band explained in a statement. "We have a longstanding relationship with Buddy Lee Attractions and we will continue to share our music on the road. We do not want to disappoint our loyal fans. Out of the respect for those affected by these circumstances, we are canceling a couple of performances and will resume our tour on Oct. 27."
While they're resuming their tour later this month, dates beyond Oct. 27 appear to be impacted. NewsOK reports that an Oklahoma City show scheduled for Nov. 17 has been canceled, and a representative from the venue confirmed the change in plans was due to the fallout from Yester's arrest.
A late arrival to the lineup during the Lovin' Spoonful's original incarnation, Yester joined only a year prior to the band's 1969 breakup, but he was on hand when co-founders Joe Butler and Steve Boone decided to put together a reunion without singer John Sebastian in 1991, and he's remained a part of the lineup ever since. The group's press release didn't specify who, if anyone, will be taking Yester's place.
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