Live a Little

"Tell the old man you're sick of staying at home. Get out on the town. Enjoy music, live music!" So bubbled Jackie Gleason, the Brooklyn boulevardier, on TV and radio last week, seconded by Jimmy Durante and Judy Holliday. In English, Spanish, Yiddish and Italian, 19 New-York newspapers were sprinkled with a dozen other catchy ads. Sample: a migraine victim with arrows piercing his skull and the caption. "Cure for short temper, nagging headache, shattered nerves, daily depression--Get Live Music.'1

The campaign against canned music is being mounted by New York City's big (30,000 members ) Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians. Calling itself "the first victim of automation,'' the federation (total membership: 260,000) says that only 75,000 members now make a living from music (average: $3,500 yearly). The union also reports a serious shortage of young string players, is handing out a minimum of 50 scholarships a year for instrumental students. Local 802 is particularly concerned with New York City's still relatively lusty night life, is spending $75,000 to kindle dancing feet and wind up aging swizzle-stick tappers.

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