Radiohead revealed that 15 fans paid the maximum amount for its new record, In Rainbows, when the band pulled a surprise move and allowed fans to name their own price for the download of the album last year.
The record was released online in October, and those wanting it could set their own price anywhere between free or the upper limit the band set - £99.99.
“That was the limit we had set beforehand and until now 15 (have paid that for the album),” lead singer Thom Yorke told The Independent. “And I swear to you that the band members are not among that 15.”
In fact, Thom Yorke has already admitted he downloaded the album for free, although this morning (January 3) he said he usually pays for downloads.
“I always pay… well, I got our own album from our webpage free of charge,” Thom Yorke explained, though claimed he did it with the best intentions.
“I wanted to play my mum some of the new songs and downloaded them onto her computer,” he said. “A journalist found out and announced immediately that I wouldn’t pay for music from the Internet. But why should I pay for my own possessions and in practice, just shovel my money from one pocket to the other? That’s ridiculous.”
Thom Yorke said that he was not bothered by Radiohead fans who downloaded their album for free but explained: “If you think our songs are no good after listening to them, then that’s a pity indeed.”
