William Shatner announces heavy metal appearance at festival in Chicago

Band and Program

Back in February of the previous year, Shatner had announced his intention to try his hand as a heavy metal musician. With his current post, he has now confirmed that he is pursuing these plans in earnest. The band goes by the name "The Fuckers".

At the festival on September 20, Shatner will not be alone on stage: other announced artists include Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Iggy Pop, and Patti Smith. This means the "Star Trek" star will share the bill with a number of other legendary names from rock and pop history.

Jokey demands on Instagram

In another Instagram post, Shatner approached the announcement with humor, presenting a list of jokey demands that he felt entitled to make as a "Heavy-Metal-Rockgott". These included renaming a boat in Chicago in his honor, as well as a bowl of sauerkraut in his dressing room, which the festival organizer should provide.

The unusual combination of Shatner's Hollywood past and his new musical project is causing a stir on social media. While some users are celebrating the appearance as a bold move by a senior, others are reacting with mockery about his choice of genre.

Reactions and Outlook

Shatner himself described himself in the post, tongue-in-cheek, as a "Heavy-Metal-Rockgott". With his self-ironic tone, he emphasizes that the venture is not least about entertainment and a contrast to his previous image as a commander of a spaceship.

The Chicago festival is thus becoming one of the most talked-about music events of the late summer. Should Shatner indeed present new material from an upcoming heavy metal album, it would be his most unusual chapter yet in what is already a multifaceted career.