Well, I only personally know two bands that got signed to Majors. Both had lawyers. I know of many bands who put out records on their own, or on smaller labels. They usually did not have lawyers, although many of them did.

Frankly a lawyer or a manager is just a point of contact. Many of the bands I was familar with had a hard time keeping a phone number for more than 8 months. Just getting in touch with them was difficult. A lawyer or a manager may just be a person who has a stable address, and who knows how to get in touch with the band.

Of course this was before the internet. Really.

Nowadays, I would think putting out a CD with an email address on the back of it would be enough to create interest in any big or small record company who might care to contact a band.