I agree, but on two occasions, I legitimately didn't know I had a gig until I got a phone call and had to rush like a nut to make it to the venue on time. Both times, we started late. My fault, of course. I never did that again.

I used to be an Orchestra Personnel Manager twenty years ago. On an odd night off, I would be working late at the office and I had a Boom-box on my desk near the phone.

The Met Opera broadcast would start at 8pm with the Orchestra tuning. I would pre-dial a select musician and as the Orchestra was tuning ask them "where the hell are you"!?

Good times.

I was right in the middle of tearing out a lathe and plaster wall and was covered with plaster dust....phone rang...guy says, "Are you on your way?". My stomach sank and I ran to grab my calendar...nothing on the calendar...I came back on the phone and said, "You never booked me for that gig." *long pause* He says, "Oh....well...um...Can you do this gig...starts in like a half an hour from now?" I said, "Look, man....Don't call me and make me feel like I am at fault for forgetting a gig when it was your own ineptitude that left you without a drummer! You're just trying to find a scapegoat for your mistake....And, furthermore, don't ever call me for any more gigs. *click*

true story

Speaking of Pranks. Not sure you can top this.

That prank by Les Paul may have been the genesis for the invention of the Humbucker guitar pickup.