There's a famous (or infamous) 'promoter' who booked Amazing Blondel at a boozer in Sheffield. The night apparantly wasn't fantastically well attended he (the promoter) put them on for the 2nd spot and promptly did a runner. At the end of the gig the band approached the landlord to ask where 'the promoter' was and he couldn't be found. As the 'promoter' had also hired the room, I guess the landlord was out of pocket for the room hire too.