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After announcing that he’ll be playing Riot Fest in September, 95-year-old William Shatner has unveiled an outrageous list of rider demands that puts classic-era Van Halen to shame.
Shatner’s ready to bring the metal to the three-day Chicago festival, as he has confirmed that he’ll be playing on Saturday, September 20th, with his metal backing band the *uckers.
Among his outrageous requests are having a boat renamed in his honor so he can captain a ship again; being invited to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at a Chicago Cubs game; having an intro video created by GWAR; and being transported around in a DeLorean instead of a golf cart.
But that’s not all. His backstage demands are pretty wild, too, including naming his dressing room “Shatner’s Shag Shack”; four feet of Polish sausage; a Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater autographed by John Stamos; eight pallets of Faygo (not to be shared with Insane Clown Posse); and an assortment of adoptable puppies.
Shatner stated of his upcoming performance, “I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” says William Shatner. “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 founder co-founder Mike “Riot Mike” Petryshyn added, “After years of persistently — and perhaps annoyingly — writing letters to William Shatner about performing at Riot Fest, it appears that he was finally compelled. I for one cannot wait to see Shatner get heavy. But that Shatner Rider… wasn’t expecting that today.”
Shatner will be backed by members of the Nuclear Messiah metal collective, including guitarist and musical director Marcus Nand (Mike Tramp, Candice Night), bassist Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol), guitarist Britt Lightning (Vixen, Cactus), and drummer Fred Aching (Kings of Thrash, Dead Groove, Fraxures).
The Star Trek star continues to work on a heavy metal album for Cleopatra Records with a cast of all-star contributors. Among the tracks announced for the collection are covers of Judas Priest classics “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” (featuring Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford) and “Living After Midnight” (featuring drummer Mikkey Dee of Motörhead and Scorpions).
Riot Fest will take place September 18th-20th at Douglass Park in Chicago, with tickets available here. Among the other acts set to perform during the three-day fest are Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce the Veil, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Iggy Pop, Pixies, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and more.
See William Shatner’s full list of rider demands below.
English (US) · 