--Metallica Denies Objecting To Military Using Their Music

Metallica is denying reports that the group objected to the U.S. military using their music as part of their interrogation tactics.  The band has posted a short message on their website saying they "NEVER commented to the military either way on this matter," and "any statements that have been made otherwise are not correct."  The claims about Metallica and the military surfaced earlier this month in an interview with the man who killed Osama bin Laden.  The Navy SEAL, identified in the article only as "The Shooter," told "Esquire" that when the war first began in Iraq, service members "were using Metallica music to soften people up" before an interrogation.  The Shooter explained that Metallica "got wind of this," and "said, 'Hey, please don't use our music because we don't want to promote violence.'"  The Shooter added that he thought it was a strange request, given such album titles as "Kill 'Em All," but said the military honored Metallica's wishes.


--Red Hot Chili Peppers Among This Year's Firefly Headliners

Red Hot Chili Peppers will help bring the Firefly Music Festival back for a second year.  They're among the headliners for this summer's concert event in Dover, Delaware, along with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Vampire Weekend and Foster the People.  Other performers include the Lumineers, Grizzly Bear, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alabama Shakes, the Avett Brothers, Japandroids and many more.  The second annual Firefly Music Festival is scheduled to take place June 21st to the 23rd at the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway.  The full lineup and more information about the event is available at FireflyFestival.com.


--Jack White Named Official Record Store Day Ambassador

Jack White is apparently an elected official.  The folks behind this year's Record Store Day have made the rocker the official ambassador for the April 20th event, and White joked that he got the post after being "duly elected by two-thirds majority of citizens of the world."  White's first act on the job was taking a camping crew through United Record Pressing in Nashville.  He shared facts about how records are made and also discussed a handful of conspiracy theories ranging from an alignment between the Masons and the NBA draft to the worst day to donate blood.  All of the important points to his theories, however, were conveniently drowned out by the noisy factory.

On a more serious note, White also issued a statement via RecordStoreDay.com about the beauty of independently-owned record stores and the importance of face-to-face interaction.  He argues that "there's no romance in a mouse click," and while the Internet can be helpful and entertaining, it's no replacement for interaction with another human being.


--Weird Al Hosts Bonnaroo Webcast, Mumford & Sons Among Headliners

Mumford and Sons, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will all be in Manchester, Tennessee this summer to headline the 2013 edition of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.  Weird Al Yankovic helped reveal the lineup during an hour-long live webcast dubbed "B.L.A.M!" -- the Bonnaroo Live Announcement Megathon.  The host interacted with fans online in a variety of ways, including a few unique games. Al also shared the names of Bonnaroo participants with the help of a talking piñata named Rupert and a stereotypical festival camper who frequently reminded everyone to stay hydrated.  Indie rockers Portugal. The Man, who will be performing at Bonnaroo this year, also made a few appearances.  They backed Yankovic for a webcast-ending performance of his Green Day spoof "Canadian Idiot."

In addition to the Mumfords, McCartney and Petty, this year's Bonnaroo will also feature performances from Björk, Wilco, the Lumineers, Passion Pit, David Byrne and St. Vincent, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear and many more.  The full lineup for the event -- which runs June 13th to the 16th -- is available at Bonnaroo.com.


--Station Fire Memorial Service, Others Honor Fire Victims 10 Years Later

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island.  A decade later, the community is moving forward with plans to honor the victims with something permanent.  The Station Fire Memorial Service hopes to break ground on a memorial park at the site of the tragedy later this year.  They made the announcement this past Sunday as hundreds of the victims' friends and family members, as well as many survivors, braved the cold weather and came together to mark the tenth anniversary of the incident.  At the ceremony, former Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri called that night in 2003 the state's worst tragedy.  But he said in some senses, it was also the "finest hour" for first responders and hospital workers who helped save so many lives.  All 100 of the victims' names were also read aloud during the event, followed by 100 seconds of silence.

Jack Russell -- whose band Great White was onstage when their pyrotechnics ignited the blaze -- also tried to honor the victims with a benefit concert earlier this month.  "The Boston Globe" says Russell wanted the funds to go toward the planned memorial park, but the Station Fire Memorial Service asked him not to associate himself with the project.  They issued a statement saying they "feel the upset caused by his involvement would outweigh the amount of funds raised."  Russell eventually decided to donate any money raised from the show to the son of Great White guitarist Ty Longley, who died in the fire.  However, only about 30 people showed up to the Los Angeles-area gig, which raised an estimated 180-dollars.


--Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen Among Brit Nominees

The Rolling Stones just might get the chance to demonstrate why the group is among the Brit Award nominees for British Live Act.  The band is rumored to be set to provide the finale at the big event, which is taking place Wednesday in London.  The Stones only played five concerts last year -- and only two in the UK -- but that was enough to get them a nomination.  The classic rockers are up against Coldplay, Muse, Mumford and Sons, and the Vaccines for the honor.  It marks just the fourth time in the group's 50-year run that they've been nominated for the prestigious award, which is the UK equivalent to the Grammys, and they have yet to take home a trophy from the event.

Over the years the Brit Awards have shown more love to Bruce Springsteen, who is also a nominee heading into the ceremony.  The New Jersey rocker is in the running for International Male Solo Artist along with Jack White, Frank Ocean, Michael Buble, and Gotye.  Springsteen has one Brit Award to his credit, getting the nod for Best International Solo Artist at the 1986 event.  This year's bid marks his tenth career Brit nomination.


--Today's Birthdays

X guitarist Billy Zoom is 65.
Former Cramps guitarist Poison Ivy is 60.
Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown is 50.
Former Cheap Trick bassist Jon Brant is 58.
The Darkness drummer Ed Graham is 36.


--Today In Rock History

In 1975
Alice Cooper released the album "Welcome To My Nightmare."

In 1976
Kiss members set their footprints in concrete outside Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.

In 1993
Spin Doctors' "Two Princes" broke into the Top 40 chart.

In 2001
Foo Fighter guitarist Dave Grohl and former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist were among the winners at the 2001 Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards.

In 2003
Rock's worst concert tragedy occurred as 100 people -- including Great White guitarist Ty Longley -- were killed in a fire at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.  The band's pyrotechnic display set off the fire, which engulfed the club in minutes.

In 2004
Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme announced that the group would continue even though bassist Nick Oliveri and singer Mark Lanegan had left the group.

In 2005
Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch announced on a Bakersfield, California radio station that he was leaving Korn to devote his time and talents to God.