Does the emergence of digital download signal the end for the music industry?

Since 1877 when the first patent recording system evolved the music business has been on an increase with year by year technology's progressing and the industry evolving. By 1979 the first portable cassette is brought out meaning the music industry is thriving. It only then took the industry 10 years to produce the mp3 then apple releases the ipod in 2001. With the music industry evolving so quickly file sharing was the ultimate boom. File sizes decreasing and internet speeds fastening mass internet distribution is then viable. The problem that then occurs is the question of why would you pay for something if you know you can get it for free? Everyone would pay if it wasn't free therefore if the music industry went on decline I feel our culture as it is today would support the industry and forget the free downloads. Our culture thrives of music, if we were to face paying for music or loosing music I know which one i'd choose!!