In loving, living memory, John Melançon 1928 – 2007
40% of site visitors (or downloaders I think) paid an average of $6.
The main thing is that they went around the middleman, not just for music sales (CD or digital distributors) but in gathering a database of their fans that they can use in booking concerts, further promotion and sales, etc.
It will definitely work for Radiohead, and other high-profile bands.
And this is the best bet for artists and bands who won't get into the music industry any other way.
Will it work for all the groups in between?
I want it to, but I'm not sure we're there yet.