William Shatner's Outrageous Rock God Demands for Metal Band Debut Revealed

At 95 years young, William Shatner, the legendary Star Trek icon, is poised to make a monumental splash in the heavy metal world, embodying the persona of a major rock star even before the release of his much-anticipated debut album. Shatner announced his upcoming live metal debut with his band, The F***ers, at Chicago’s Riot Fest, scheduled to take place in Douglass Park from September 18-20. Following this announcement, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to playfully outline a series of "demands…err…requests" for the city of Chicago and the festival organizers, promising "nothing unreasonable" from his perspective and giving them several months to prepare.

Shatner’s extraordinary rider requests highlight his unique brand of humor and showmanship. These include the city of Chicago naming a boat in his honor, a billboard showcasing Shatner alongside a fan, and various food items named after him. He also expressed a desire for an opportunity to co-present the weather report with long-time Chicago-based meteorologist Tom Skilling and to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at a Chicago baseball game. Adding to the theatricality, Shatner requested "fire breathers. Many of them." and an intro video meticulously created by the notoriously elaborate band GWAR.

Further details of his backstage requirements include an artist golf cart to be replaced by a DeLorean, and his dressing room to be meticulously themed as "Shatner’s Shag Shack" to his specific artistic specifications. Culinary requests were precise, featuring four feet of Polish sausage and one bowl of sauerkraut, ready to eat. Other unique items included one Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater signed by John Stamos, eight pallets of Faygo (with a specific instruction not to share with Insane Clown Posse, due to their "grabby & territorial" nature), one pair of white tube socks, one pair of underwear, an assortment of adoptable puppies sourced from a reputable local animal rescue nonprofit, and a bouquet of "sweet, dainty" flowers in a vase.

The esteemed actor expressed his excitement for the festival, stating, "I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration. Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans." Riot Fest co-founder Mike “Riot Mike” Petryshyn revealed that securing Shatner for the event was the culmination of years of persistent efforts. Petryshyn commented on Shatner’s booking, acknowledging the surprising nature of the comprehensive rider. The festival boasts an impressive lineup alongside Shatner's debut, featuring acts such as Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Pixies, Tool, Morrissey, Nas, Pierce the Veil, Alanis Morissette, and Twin Peaks.

Shatner’s forthcoming heavy metal album, set to be released on Cleopatra Records, promises a robust collection of tracks. It will include powerful covers of songs by iconic metal bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, alongside several original compositions. Shatner himself described the project in February, highlighting the involvement of "thirty-five metal virtuosos," "thunderous guitars," and "chaos with purpose." He emphasized the album as "quite literally, a gathering of forces. Loud imagination. Honest intensity. Unapologetic exploration," underscoring his commitment to a truly immersive and impactful heavy metal experience.