William Shatner, 95, debuts shock new career as fans hail him a true legend

| Freelance Entertainment and SEO Reporter Published September 21, 2026 12:12pm Updated September 21, 2026 12:15pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Following in the footsteps of Sir Christopher Lee, Keanu Reeves, Juliette Lewis, and Jack Black, William Shatner has made the move into alternative music. The Star Trek icon, 95, hit the stage at Chicago’s Park West on Saturday, fronting his new metal band, The *uckers, before heading to Riot Fest to perform on the Rebel Stage yesterday. For the intimate gig, they played a six-song set including covers of hits from Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, and Motörhead. The group also performed three original songs that are set to feature on their upcoming debut album three original songs from his forthcoming metal album, What The F Is Heavy Metal?. Shatner took to the stage in black jeans and a matching leather jacket alongside his bandmates: guitarists Marcus Nand and Britt Lightning, bassist Phil Soussan, and drummer Fred Aching. Fans were quick to take to social media to praise the Boston Legal actor, hailing him an ‘icon.’ William Shatner performed live on stage with The *uckers during Riot Fest (Picture: Jim Bennett/WireImage) The group covered songs from metal legends as well as three original tunes (Picture: Jim Bennett/WireImage) The Star-Trek star has been making music for more than five decades (Picture: Star-Trek) Dave Kinney posted on X: ‘I have seen it all. 95 yr old WILLIAM SHATNER sings Metallica yesterday. The guy astounds me. He gives me hope for growing older. I mean.. he is 33 yrs older than me… I really love this dude. Always have.’ Taffy Elsewhere commented: ‘If you take school plays and stuff like that, this guy has probably been entertaining people in one way or another for 80+ years. Absolute legend.’ Gene Junior described Shatner as a ‘force of nature’, while CetialphaVguy said he was ‘awesome and still bringing it at 95.’ Mrbvdon pointed out: ‘People under age 60/70… don’t understand, it becomes much harder to speak in a full voice, let alone sing. I can’t believe this guy is 95. That’s crazy.’ Mike Becker wrote: ‘I love that he knows he can’t sing. But he’s having fun anyway. And the crowd knows exactly what they’re getting. An awesome dude having fun. I hope to be half that cool at 96. Or alive lol.’ It’s not the first time Shatner, who also happens to be the oldest person to go into space, has dipped his toes into the music pool, releasing his first dramatic spoken word album, The Transformed Man, in 1968. Fans took to social media to hail Shatner a ‘total legend’ (Picture: Jim Bennett/WireImage) Shatner appeared to confirm that the group has been booked to play Coachella next year (Picture: Jim Bennett/WireImage) Shatner released his most commercially successful album, Seeking Major Tom, in 2011, leaning into hard rock themes, with covers of David Bowie’s Space Oddity and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. He moved into making Blues music in 2020, even topping the Billboard Blues Chart with the album. Shatner also branched out into children’s music in 2024 with Where Will the Animals Sleep? before entering his metal era. And it appears more live shows could be on the horizon, with Shatner seemingly hinting his band had been booked for Coachella 2027. He told CNN that they were due to perform a 30-minute set at ‘the one in the desert’ next spring, with his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, explaining that he meant Coachella. Shatner also explained why he had decided to start a metal band, saying: ‘It isn’t so much, “When do I come in?”, but I’ve got to feel the music and then come in with the lyrics. It’s all about passion.’ Arrow MORE: Ed Sheeran and stadium owner respond after Macklemore’s challenge to match $1,000,000 Palestinian donation Arrow MORE: Finneas leads artists dropping out of Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore controversy Arrow MORE: Oasis fans shouldn’t give up on Glastonbury 2027 headline slot just yet Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.