February 2012 Archives

"Under the Influence" released on student-run label Heavy Rotation Records

By Andrew R. Chow, Crimson Staff Writer

There are thousands of song covers spread across the Internet, and most of them are bad. Some are exact renditions which don't try to add any value to the original song; some, too adventurous, lose the original meaning of the song altogether; some are terribly sung, played, and recorded. Covers are dangerous ground for aspiring musicians, and knowing the breadth of the existing mediocrity, Jeff Dorenfeld must have approached his new covers project, "Under the Influence," with trepidation. Dorenfeld, the faculty adviser of the Berklee School of Music's Heavy Rotation Records, spearheaded this covers album in which Berklee students and alumni cover the songs of popular alternative rock bands such as Gang of Four, Smashing Pumpkins, and R.E.M. The album is an impressive display of Berklee talent, as each artist completely restyles their two chosen songs without losing the ingenuity of the original compositions.

Will surpass former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney as rock's richest star

By Kate Hickey, IrishCentral Editor

Back in 2009, U2's front man Bono, through his investment vehicle Elevation Partners, bought a one percent stake in Facebook for $90 million. From Wednesday's $5 billion Facebook initial public offering (IPO) Bono is set to make almost $1 billion, making him the richest rock star on the planet.

To put his possible wealth into perspective - currently Sir Paul McCartney, the former Beatle, is the richest rock star in the world with a wealth estimated at $600 to $750 million.

Bono's Elevation Partners original investment, one percent of stock for $90 million, was a very smart move by Bono who is already worth $200 million. Not a bad year, money-wise, for Bono whose "360 Tour" with U2 was dubbed the highest grossing jaunt of 2011, taking in $293 million, according to NME.