AMERICANALMANAC (Alex Tanzer) - William Shatner, 95, books heavy metal debut at Riot Fest after fighting AI-generated death hoaxes
William Shatner is not dying. He is, however, going metal. The 95-year-old "Star Trek" icon announced he will take the stage at Riot Fest 2026 in Chicago with his heavy metal band, marking a defiant new chapter just months after he publicly fought back against AI-generated fake news stories claiming he had stage 4 brain […] The post William Shatner, 95, books heavy metal debut at Riot Fest after fighting AI-generated death hoaxes appeared first on American Almanac .
William Shatner is not dying. He is, however, going metal. The 95-year-old "Star Trek" icon announced he will take the stage at Riot Fest 2026 in Chicago with his heavy metal band, marking a defiant new chapter just months after he publicly fought back against AI-generated fake news stories claiming he had stage 4 brain cancer. The booking, first reported by Page Six , puts Shatner on the bill for Sunday, Sept. 20, at Douglass Park in Chicago. The performance will be the first live show for his band, The *uckers, a name that leaves little to the imagination about the group's attitude. Riot Fest announced the booking via Instagram with characteristic irreverence: "After years of writing letters... Riot Fest 2026: Now with 100% more…Open