h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Bing Crosby once said he never performed a song in public until he had practised it so much that the very thought of it made him feel physically ill."

Bing must have run into a critic like one I've heard of. A well known musician was listening to another group perform. After one song, he said "That sucked. Play one you know."

I'm with that critic. I once played background music for an exhibition of some sort, reading through unprepared stuff with a friend, in the mistaken belief that nobody hears background music. That was in my green and salad days. A rather drunk lady remarked loudly but perspicaciously "I hate that music". Touché. I made a vow which I've kept since: only play in public what I have thoroughly rehearsed, and never pass up an opportunity for rehearsal.