William Shatner Prog Rock Album Due in October: 'Most Creative Thing I've Ever Done'
William Shatner's prog rock album is the latest project the 80-year-old actor, author and singer is tackling, showing no signs of slowing down. The album is titled Ponder the Mystery, and the former "Star Trek" starship captain calls it "quite possibly the most creative thing I have ever done."
William Shatner's progressive rock songs on the album have all been written by him, but he collaborated with seasoned musicians like Vince Gill, Mich Jones, Rick Wakeman, Steve Vai, and several others. Ponder the Mystery is said to explore themes like "aging, depression, love and beauty," according to the press release.
Before the album's release Oct. 8 will come a tour across Los Angeles, and Shatner will be accompanied by Yes member Billy Sherwood, he said while appearing at the annual Dragon Con. If the shows are successful, he said he would consider taking his act to Las Vegas.
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Shatner can still bring a crowd: the Marriot Marquis ballroom was completely filled to capacity with 3,000 in attendance and a stacked panel. George Takei, a fellow "Star Trek" actor, also appeared during Dragon Con.
Ponder the Mystery is hardly Shatner's first foray into music. In 1968, he released a spoken-word album, The Transformed Man, on which he covered "Mr. Tambourine Man" and The Beatles "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"-- he joked at the conference that he "mangled" the song.
However, more serious attempts at music were made in 2004 and 2011, when he released Has Been and Seeking Major Tom, respectively. Both were well-received.
One song on Ponder the Mystery, "But So Am I," was apparently inspired by the actor's 14-year-old dog, Starbuck. It will be released Oct. 8.
