Possible Clues:

• Singers and actors given position on scale - all but 'no good'
• Singers of high notes in olden times
• Performers with elevated pitch, primarily Italians?
• Voices raised in terrible argument, referee initially knocked over by players
• Cut singers from ensemble — allocation not working
• Deprived singers rejecting one floosie's account
• Old singers assigned parts, then deserter given one
• Players helping cricket side out — high scores for them?
• Surgery ensured their numbers were up
• Singers of the lost generation