William Shatner is boldly going to Riot Fest with his heavy metal band

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Here’s something that probably wasn’t on your 2026 bingo card: William Shatner has a new heavy metal band, and they’re releasing an album that he plans to debut this summer at a music festival in Chicago.

It seems the 95-year-old Canadian Star Trek actor who has defied many expectations throughout his long career still hasn’t reached that final frontier.

Here’s what we know about his latest foray into a strange new world.

First of all: What?!

If you only know Shatner as James Tiberius Kirk, the brash captain of the starship Enterprise in the original 1960s sci-fi series, then you may be surprised to learn that he’s released about a dozen albums over the years, starting with 1968’s The Transformed Man.

The album, which featured Shatner covering pop hits by the Beatles, Elton John and others using a dramatic spoken voice with musical accompaniment, was mocked by critics and music fans alike, but that didn’t stop Shatner.

He has continued to release albums throughout his career, including Has Been, with musician Ben Folds in 2004 and Seeking Major Tom with musicians as diverse as Sheryl Crow, Zakk Wylde, Bootsy Collins and Peter Frampton in 2011.

So it’s not that big a leap to hear he’s releasing a new album, but why Riot Fest?

The annual independently-owned three-day music festival, which runs from Sept. 18 to 20 this year, was first established in 2005. It features punk, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, metal and alternative acts and is known for booking band reunions including Bikini Kill, Slayer and The Misfits.

Festival organizers have also apparently been on a years-long letter-writing campaign trying to convince the former Star Trek actor to perform.

A table full of colourful music festival posters with 3 letters and an envelope address to William Shatner on top. — Riot Fest shared this picture of the letters it sent to entertainer William Shatner trying to convince him to perform at the music festival. (Anabel DFlux/Cleopatra Records)

“I decided you’re such big fans of mine that I’m gonna debut my heavy metal record at Riot Fest,” the Canadian entertainer said in a video message posted on the Riot Fest website.

Shatner, who is known for defying expectations throughout his career, added, “I hope you’re there, and I hope I’m there!”

Who’s in the band?

A statement on Shatner’s Instagram says his heavy metal band is called The *uckers. Its members include:

Phil Soussan, formerly of Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol’s band, on bass
Marcus Nand, a flamenco guitarist, on guitar and serving as musical director
Britt Lightning,of the glam-metal band Vixen, on guitar
Fred Aching, a touring musician and member of Powerflo, on drums

Together, they will reimagine songs from Shatner’s back catalogue and preview new material from their upcoming heavy metal album.

CBC News has reached out to Shatner’s representatives to ask if The *uckers have any shows booked in Canada, but has not received a response.

Big star, big demands

Shatner said in a statement on Instagram that he’s “always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” and “Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen.”

But before that, Shatner has some conditions that will need to be met — you should see the long list of demands he sent to Riot Fest organizers.

A black and white sheet of paper that appears to have been photocopied, with an apparent hand-drawn picture of an elderly man's face sticking out his tongue in a ball of flames. — Riot Fest posted this image of what is purported to be William Shatner’s rider for when his heavy metal band performs at the festival in September. (Anabel DFlux/Cleopatra Records)

An image posted on the festival’s website shows the star’s rider — a list of requirements that many performers have that must be met in order for the show to go on.

Shatner’s requests, among other things, include fire breathers (many of them), a “Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater signed by John Stamos” and a dressing room “themed as Shatner’s Shag Shack.”

And that’s not all. He also has a long list of asks for the city of Chicago, including that he be allowed to sing Take Me out to the Ball Game at a Chicago baseball game, and that he get to co-anchor the weather with the city’s most beloved meteorologist.

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