William Shatner fans react to massive career pivot –

William Shatner is making a major new pivot in his career–and it’s one that has the 95-12 months-previous actor’s fans reeling with shock.

The Hollywood star, who many fans know best for his iconic function as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, is making a shock pivot into music, and can even carry out live in Chicago in September.

The transfer comes after he was pressured to furiously deny an AI loss of life hoax, one thing he shared was deeply disturbing.

Shatner was confirmed to be playing at the Riot Fest music pageant and to be fronting his band, The *uckers, at a September 20 present in the midwestern metropolis’s Douglas Park.

The news was confirmed by a submit on the music pageant’s Instagram account, with a photograph that includes Shatner flashing satan horns and holding an electrical guitar on a background that includes flames.

“After years of writing letters…Riot Fest 2026: Now with 100% more willamshatner, with his heavy metal band The *uckers,” the submit was captioned. “Appearing Sunday, Tickets on sale now.”

Fans shortly shared their pleasure over the transfer, noting it wasn’t one thing that they had thought they’d see, however they have been keen to witness it.

“A 95-year-old man doing heavy metal at Riot Fest, d–n lol,” one wrote, while another said, “I’ve never been more excited about a thing I never knew existed.”

The pageant also joked with regard to Shatner’s participation with a pretend rider that they posted, which indicated that so as to play, the star had demanded a ship be renamed after him so he might “captain a ship again,” one traditional Chicago meals item named in tribute to him, hearth breathers, a DeLorean, 4 ft of Polish sausage and one bowl of prepared to eat sauerkraut.

Shatner also spoke about his participation in an announcement to People.

“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” he said. “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.”

The band consists of guitarist-musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Aching.

The group’s set record is probably going to embody songs Shatner has already carried out, in addition to ones from the group’s forthcoming album, called What the F is Heavy Metal.

Overall, more than 100 artists are scheduled to carry out at the pageant, which can happen between September 18-20.

Among them are Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, The Pixies, Rise Against, The All-American Rejects, Nas, Bad Religion, Pierce the Veil, Alanis Morissette, Taking Back Sunday, Insane Clown Posse, Cartel and Bowling for Soup.