So we (band) have been together for almost a year. Had a member who wasn't cutting it that we kept on too long (6 months), replaced him with a near prodigy who can sing lead and harmonies as well as play mean lead guitar. We're a 4 piece band.

We have a gig booked next week.

Last night, the "founder" (guy who brought us all together) sends a text saying he quit. No reasoning. No explanation. Not even the courtesy to make it through the gig next week. Just quits.

Now, admittedly, this guy was sort of an anchor. Proficient enough to play rhythm but only in a simple up/down strum pattern and nothing complex. The remaining 3 of us are very proficient technically, and are "expert" level. We have all been in and around working bands for decades each. This guy claimed to have similar experience, but actions attitude and ego showed the opposite. There was also an issue with "power", where this member thought that because he was the one who initially put out the email to recruit new members, it made him the Band Leader. Unfortunately for him, the guys thought otherwise and asked me to take on that role based on my organizational skills, contacts in the local and regional scene, and finger on the pulse of our following and potential crowds (setlists, song choices, etc.).

My point of this is this: if you're thinking of leaving your band, go ahead and have that talk with the guys (or girls). Be an adult about it. Don't leave them high and dry a week before a gig and then ghost them. Where I'm from, musicians are pretty well-connected to each other. Your actions will carry on with whatever you want to do in the future.

For all I know, he could've been given bad news about a medical condition or something terrible, and I'm trying to keep that in my mind. But the lack of consideration for the rest of us in the simple form of a reason why, or an agreement to stay on to get through the gig next week, tells me it is pure selfishness and narcissism driving this decision. The minute he sensed that his control had faded, he bailed.

TL;DR? Don't quit your band a week before a show, but if you absolutely have to, at least provide a reasonable explanation.