We’d like to go on record right now as stating that we fully support William Shatner’s music career. Fully.
Beloved actor and handsome older man William Shatner is cooking up a metal-themed concept album which will drop later this year, reports LA Weekly. “Seeking Major Tom,” will be released by Cleopatra Records and feature 18 covers of classic space-themed songs including “Space Odyssey,” “Iron Man,” “Learn to Fly,” and “She Blinded Me with Science.”
Based on Shatner’s past performances, including a dramatic interpretation of “Rocket Man” from 1978′s Sci Fi awards and a quirky rendition of Cee-Lo’s “Fuck You” on “George Lopez” last Fall, Shatner has a jaunty, spoken-word style of singing that will make for a pretty unique, possibly legendary metal album.
Reported guests include Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, Peter Frampton and Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society. “Just watched tracks being laid down by Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society for my upcoming record SEEKING MAJOR TOM. My best, Bill,” Shatner tweeted in late January (becoming possibly the first person to ever sign a tweet).
Based on the video below posted by Eric Hendrikx, the two will be covering Black Sabbeth’s “Iron Man” for the album.
We are fully committed to reporting all breaking news on “Seeking Major Tom,” and will update you with track lists, album art, and tour dates (if we should be so lucky) as they’re announced.
Watch this grainy recording of Shatner interpreting Elton John’s “Rocket Man” at the 1978 SciFi awards, followed by Eric Hendrikx’s video of Shatner and Wylde in the studio:
