ONE of the most emotive slogans currently in use is "Keep music Live", originally circulated by the Musicians Union, but now widely used by people in and out of the profession who fear for its future.

They have good reason. The music for more and more artists and shows is, these days, provided by taped backing. The reasoning behind this "revolution" is as simple as it is obvious. Finance.

No matter how big the show, or how "talented" the solo performer, the absence of musicians is reducing the enjoyment of live entertainment for the more mature audiences, who remember with affection the good old days.

The people who run showbusiness don't care a great deal about much outside profit margins, so cutting wages and replacing bands with tapes is a route they travel with glee. They pay lip service to quality but that's about as close as it gets.

The tragedy is that, if this trend continues, musicians may well become a threatened species. What a prospect. Taped out of existence.

That will be a huge pity as Bolton and district, for example, has a seemingly limitless number of talented youngsters.

Go and listen to any of the Music Centre's marvellous ensembles; Chris Wormald's outstanding brigades from Smithills and the brilliant Wingates Brass Band. You will then begin to appreciate what musicians and music-lovers stress: there simply is NO alternative to hearing a "live" band.

Tapes, no matter how well-produced, are a fake, and in many cases are used to camouflage the inadequacies of those performing to them.

We are reneging on our duty to nurture fledgling musicians by allowing this situation to continue. Putting profit before quality may pay in the short term, but it could well cause irreparable damage.