William Shatner just made Riot Fest one of the most entertaining festivals of the year before he even hits the stage. The 95-year-old Star Trek legend announced his September performance with his metal band The *uckers by posting an extensive backstage rider on social media that reads like a comedy bit. Fire breathers, eight pallets of Faygo soda, a DeLorean replacing his golf cart, a signed Montreal Canadiens sweater from John Stamos, and a bowl of sauerkraut are just some of his requests. He even wants a Chicago boat named in his honor and to perform the weather with meteorologist Tom Skilling. The humor is intentional and self-aware, with Shatner joking that organizers have a few months to make it happen and that there’s“nothing unreasonable”about his demands.
What makes this story even better is that Shatner is genuinely committed to his metal music journey. His upcoming album on Cleopatra Records features 35 metal virtuosos covering legendary bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, plus original compositions. This isn’t a novelty act. The Riot Fest co-founder spent years writing persistent letters to recruit Shatner, and his response was basically to show up with a legendary attitude and an actual heavy metal project. The combination of his comedic rider and serious musical commitment shows why he’s remained relevant for decades.
Chicago is about to experience something truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a long-time Shatner fan, a metal enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates pure entertainment and audacity, his Riot Fest performance is shaping up to be the most talked-about set of the festival. What do you think is the most ridiculous request on his rider?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.