William Shatner covers Metallica, Motörhead and Ozzy Osbourne at debut heavy metal gigs
He took to the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago
Last updated 21st Sep 2026
95-year-old Star Trek legend William Shatner performed his first shows with his heavy metal band The *uckers over the weekend at Riot Fest in Chicago.
Flanked by his band, which includes guitarist and musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Britt Lightning, and drummer Fred Aching, Shatner performed a 35-minute, six-song set on Saturday night (19th September) at the Riot Fest aftershow at indoor venue Park West.
With Shatner delivering the lyrics in his trademark spoken word style, he and The *uckers performed six songs including covers of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’, and Motörhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’.
Original tracks from Shatner’s upcoming debut heavy metal album on the setlist included ‘Sky’, ‘Rage’ and set closer ‘One Fear’.
Watch William Shatner perform ‘Enter Sandman’:
Less than 24 hours later, Shatner took to the outdoor Rebel Stage to perform his main 35-minute set, which featured an on-screen introduction from intergalactic barbarian horde, GWAR.
Before launching into set opener ‘Crazy Train', Shatner told the soggy audience: "Oh boy! The rain and the wind is perfect. I'm so glad you're here, folks. Braved the elements to see us and braved the fire girls."
He continued: “So, a little while ago, Cleopatra Records’ Brian Perera said to me, ‘why don’t you do a heavy metal album?’, because I’d done five albums with them, and I said, ‘What the f--- is heavy metal?!’
“And that’s the name of the album that will come out in the wintertime and it’s called ‘What The F--- is Heavy Metal?’ and I want to present to you The *uckers!”
Shatner then proceeded to tear through the same setlist as the night before. You can watch footage from the performance here:
William Shatner’s setlist at Riot Fest:
Crazy Train Ozzy Osbourne cover)
Rage
Ace of Spades (Motörhead cover)
Sky
Enter Sandman (Metallica cover)
One Fear