In the literary, rather than the musical, field:
Many years ago, a friend of mine left school and went to work for the Department of Health and Social Security (as it then was), a government organisation dedicated to ensuring that destitute people don't get their grubby paws on the hard-earned cash the rest of us are forced to pay in taxes. After a few months, he announced he was going to write a book based on the extremes of poverty and deprivation he'd witnessed in his work. He described the plot in some detail. I said, "that's a really good story; in fact, I've already read it! It's 'Love on the Dole', and it was written by Walter Greenwood in the 'thirties -- I'll lend you my copy.'

I did; he read it, and we heard no more nonsense about writing books after that.

Steve

P.S. In case you think I'm a Big Blue Meanie, let me tell you that he channelled his energies in a different direction, and is now a Force To Be Reckoned With in the local government trades union, Unison, so it was all for the best in the end.

P.P.S. He's also stopped playing the guitar, but that was nothing to do with me!