The Undergraduate Council wanted the funk for Springfest, but swing is what they'll get, Campus Life Committee Chair Stephen N. Smith '02 told the council at last night's meeting.

On Friday, George Clinton rejected the council's offers of $20,000 and $22,000, leading the council to submit its $15,000 bid to the swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy--who immediately accepted.

Clinton changed managers last weekend, Smith said. His new manager raised the funk artist's rate for college shows to $75,000 and cancelled all his previously scheduled dates.

The cancellations ruined the council's last chance to get Clinton, Smith said, because artists are often willing to play for considerably less than their normal price when they are performing other shows nearby.

By contrast, the council was able to hire Big Bad Voodoo Daddy because they were already performing locally.

The swing band usually charges $30,000 to $35,000 for an appearance. But the band jumped at the chance to play at Harvard on April 30 for only $15,000 because they plan to perform in Connecticut the day before.

Reactions to the announcement ranged from deep despair to optimism.

"I'm going to cry," said Krishnan N. Subrahmanian '03.