I dunno ... Disco packed every room I worked 6-7 nights a week with live dancers to live music. No electronics yet ... we played every note. The 80s was when the bands sorta "shrunk", and I began my solo career. Disco was a necessary evil - it was nothing more than a new dance craze, and some crazy fashion statements. The acid rock of the day was no better, but it sure drew different people. My crowds were dressed to the nines, spent tons of cash and socialized all night long. They danced from the first number to the last. I kinda miss it. Reminds me of the stories I heard about the big band era, when couples would hold each other at the end of a number (while they applauded) and wait for the next musical offering from the bandstand.
The same DJ's that supposedly put musicians out of work also played the bands music on the air to make the acts more popular. The way I saw it - the only musicians who were put out of work because of electronics were bad, or lazy ones. I never had to look too hard for work.
I can't tell you how many club owners complained about the bands that took "too long breaks", brought their own drinks (in coolers in their cars), never socialized with the patrons, or refused to play the hits that were requested. Playing top 40 rooms meant that we played the songs that people heard all week long on the radio. We put our own spin on them, but we had to play the top hits of the day or loose the crowd. Dance halls are not jazz clubs or coffee houses. people dictate the genre, not the other way around.
The union could have helped the local road warriors by making sure they stayed current and played proper sets. I stole many a gig from a sloppy band who forgot who payed their salary.

I agree, back in the day - the unions needed to start up to protect the weak, but they went the wrong direction, and too many people get a free ride now, and that just burns me. Unions are the equivalent of schoolyard bullies now, and I have no room in my world for anyone who's mean. Work hard - get paid. That's my rule.