William Shatner (95) will soon make his live debut with his new heavy metal band The *uckers. On September 20, the Star Trek star will take the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago. Shatner announced the news on his Instagram account. In a statement, he explained: "I've always believed that music, like space, is about discovery." Riot Fest is exactly the place where anything is possible. "We're bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises," the actor promised.
For the performance, Shatner has assembled an experienced band. The lineup of The *uckers includes guitarist Marcus Nand and guitarist Britt Lightning, drummer Fred Aching, and bassist Phil Soussan, who has previously played with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol. Together, they plan to reinterpret some of Shatner's songs and present tracks from his upcoming album "What the F Is Heavy Metal" for the first time.
In addition to announcing the live show, the 95-year-old also shared an unusual artist rider - a list of requirements for his performance. It contains mostly quirky requests: Shatner demands, among other things, fire performers, a DeLorean, and a selection of adoptable puppies from a reputable animal welfare organization.
Star Trek Legend Releases Metal Songs
In February, Shatner announced the album "What the F Is Heavy Metal." He recorded the songs with 35 metal artists. In addition to his own tracks, the actor is also planning cover versions of classics by Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest, among others. There is no release date yet. Shatner merely wrote in his Instagram post: "The metal journey begins this year."
Shatner has been experimenting with music for decades. In 1968, he released his debut album "The Transformed Man," on which he reinterpreted well-known songs with his distinctive spoken-word style. For his albums, he has already worked with renowned musicians such as Zakk Wylde and Ritchie Blackmore.
