William Shatner, the 95-year-old Canadian actor known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, is surprising fans with a new heavy metal band. The band, called The *uckers, is set to release an album this summer and debut it at the Riot Fest music festival in Chicago.
Despite his iconic sci-fi role, Shatner has a history of releasing music albums, starting as far back as 1968 with The Transformed Man. Over the years, he has continued to push boundaries in the music industry, collaborating with various artists on albums like Has Been and Seeking Major Tom.
The decision to launch the new album at Riot Fest, scheduled for September 18 to 20, may seem unexpected, but the festival is renowned for its diverse lineup, including punk, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, and metal acts. Organizers have reportedly been eager to have Shatner perform for years, and the actor finally agreed to debut his heavy metal record at the event.
Shatner’s bandmates in The *uckers include Phil Soussan on bass, Marcus Nand on guitar and as musical director, Britt Lightning on guitar, and Fred Aching on drums. Together, they will reinterpret Shatner’s previous works and showcase new material from their upcoming heavy metal album.
In preparation for the festival, Shatner has laid out a series of demands for the organizers, including unique requests such as fire breathers, a signed Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater, and a personalized dressing room. He has also requested to sing at a Chicago baseball game and co-anchor the weather with a local meteorologist.
One of Shatner’s more audacious demands is the renaming of a boat in his honor, allowing him to once again take the helm. As the festival approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the unique blend of music and theatrics that William Shatner and The *uckers will bring to the stage.