William Shatner surprises fans with bold new challenge

William Shatner is boldly going where few would have expected, straight into the world of heavy metal.

The 95-year-old Star Trek icon is set to make his live debut with new band The uckers at Chicago’s Riot Fest on September 20.

He is proving that age is no barrier when it comes to rocking out. 

The legendary actor will join the group to perform reimagined versions of songs from his own catalogue, while also unveiling tracks from the band’s upcoming album, What the F Is Heavy Metal.

Sharing his excitement, Shatner declared: “I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration. Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen.” 

He also teased fans on Instagram, insisting it would be “an event you definitely will be telling your grandchildren about!”

Festival founder Mike ‘Riot Mike’ Petryshyn joked he had spent years trying to persuade the Hollywood veteran to perform, quipping that his persistent letters had finally paid off. 

“I for one cannot wait to see Shatner get heavy,” he laughed.

The band features Marcus Nand, Fred Aching, Britt Lightning and Phil Soussan, with Shatner admitting the album title reflects how little he knew about heavy metal before joining the project.

The surprise gig adds another extraordinary chapter to Shatner’s remarkable life. 

In 2021, he became the oldest person to travel into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. 

Despite his famous Captain Kirk persona, the Boston Legal actor recently admitted he was gripped by fear before launch after hearing mission control mention an “anomaly”.

“I thought, ‘I’m Captain Kirk. I can’t get off now,’” he recalled. 

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