yeah i diddnt mind become leader i just mainly wanted to beable to play the lute or sumthing in the inns for money even would be sumthing fun to doyeah it doesn't seem to matter if you find them before you get the quests or not. Thankfully on a PC you can use the console and remove the items.
Speaking of Bards, did you notice, that's the only group you don't become leader of like the mages or companions or thieves?
hmmmm.