George,

Appearance has always been important, even in music, maybe even especially in music, in situations where the musicians are visible.

Once upon a time musicians were only visible during live performances. And you can be sure that in that dim past musicians were very much concerned with appearances. Surely as much as any contempoary musician.

Musicians are performers, and performance has always been about putting on a show.

Your lament would be equally valid, or invalid, at any time during the last 10,000 or so years.