I'll never forget when I saw Tom Waits in concert and he told that one!

I don't think the point of any of this is to criticize the technology or the unique ways it could be used to create something new. All of the greatest artists used tech advancements for that purpose. The issue people had was when they used the technology to replace actual players with instruments. A human string quartet is always going to sound greater than a synthesized version

There was a similar feeling in the late 70s/early 80s when synthesizers became popular inexpensive replacements for live musicians during concert tours. It is easier to use a keyboard player instead of a set of strings or horns. The musicians unions were upset about that. Neil Young wrote a song called "Union Man" about that which included the line: "Live music is better / bumper stickers should be issued."

It kind of shifts back and forth even now. McCartney has toured in recent years with a live brass section whereas he had mainly used synths during the 80s-2010ish. Every now and then Brian Wilson would travel with entire string and horn sections, but sometimes not and just use synths. I think there are plenty of other examples from that era of music, too.

I'm bummed those folks are about at the end of their career... Getting to see them (especially Wilson) with all those instruments on stage was pretty incredible.