Practice, practice, practice in bands. We did that so that the song was always performed the same.

Me personally having performed during the disco era and Beach Music years, I can say that it was critical that once the "machine" (as in band) fell into the pocket, the tempo better not vary. That style of musician had superb chops (Usually of the fusion type) and the dancers were fabulous in those days and, they would trip all over each other if the tempo varied. We were not, after all, playing dramatic music but dance music.

OK, I need a little slack here. I do not disagree with the above --- Disco, Beach Boys and Latins ___ do not vari the tempo--it's that kind of music -- agreed!

But since I am from a different time, and have played for many many years, the confinement of an electric beat, did take away from my music. I am talkinmg about feel here, not a run-a-way drummer --couldn't stand those.

Dancers got excited and we help create that excitement. Talking about feel -- Maybe a tempo of 175 ending at 179.
Cha Cha -- Disco -- Beach boys -- don't vari the beat. In the mood-Mack the Knife can not be played well FOR dancers without creating excitement = Volume&Tempo&feel

On an Up-Tempo we played on top of the beat. That means to accent the beat just before it hapened. It could not measure it, it was a feeling. On ballads we played a little behind, again creating a feel.
When I went to electric drums, that was lost.
Amen!
IMHO, John C.