Diki, You're partly right about the "scene" here, in the US. But there are lots of 3-4 and even 5 piece bands working for darn near the same money the good, strong soloists are making. I average at least twice what a typical band mate would get in a small - med combo. Show bands, and good wedding bands are a different story. It's true, the more prominent club scene does not feature a soloist, but they don't pay the bands all that much either ... A strong soloist can make the same money in ONE hour at a nursing home that a club player works for FOUR hours without all the aggravation, late nights and alcohol issues.
If I wasn't teaching full time ... I'd be the nursing home guy too!