Without even considering the damage that decades of rubber bands wreak
on our old rolls, the main reason I was convinced to remove any and
all rubber bands from rolls in my presence was what people do with
them.

The number of torn leaders I have watched happen and repaired after it
happening has been enough.  I know that when the inexperienced pianolist
removes the rubber band to play the roll, there is a high probability
that the leader will no longer be attached to the roll on several rolls
per person.

Having done this myself, even, a time or two, I no longer pull off the
rubber bands -- I cut them off once and they never return.

D.L. Bullock
http://www.pianoworld.us/