Why aren’t people willing to pay for music?

Radiohead had a purchase percentage of about 30%.  Trent Reznor’s production with Saul Williams had about a 20% pay rate.

 Trent Reznor – Why won’t people pay $5?

So, why IS it, exactly, that so few people want to pay for music? If so many go on the assumption that music should be ‘free’, how do they expect musicians to make a living? Yes, some are still doing fine – but they’re mostly major label artists who have built up a reputation over the years. For artist that shun the major labels limitations, who have to do their advertising and promotion (and pay for it directly), how would a new artist be expected to do that if so few actually put a little in the hat for their efforts?

These are the questions that the music industry and musicians face. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes….