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William Shatner Talks About His New Prog Rock Album In Rolling Stone Interview

Evan Petersen

by Evan Petersen

Published October 3, 2013

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William Shatner, no stranger to the world of music, is releasing another album. In a September interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed that the same spoken word we've come to know and love--through albums like The Transformed Man and Has Been--will be backed by appropriately retro-futuristic prog rock. Artists on the album include Billy Sherwood of Yes, Rick Wakeman, Vince Gill (yes, the country singer), Mick Jones (no, not the one from The Clash), and Steve Vai. It appears as though Captain Kirk is going directly after his target audience.

Trekkies everywhere will also be happy to learn that Shatner and his band will be performing the record live. Although currently only slated for three dates in California, Ponder The Mystery could be coming to a venue near you. "I'm feeling the audience out to see whether it's as good as I think it is and whether we should go on with it or not. In effect, Hermosa Beach is a testing ground," Shatner told The Beach Reporter.

In the interview with Rolling Stone, Shatner covered a broad range of topics, including his feelings on not being in the new Star Trek, his feelings about the new Star Wars, and staying active at 82. That's right. William Shatner is 82 years old. Read some highlights from the interview below:

Are you a prog rock fan?

I think that prog rock is the science fiction of music. Science fiction speculates on what the future might be and look like and how we'll get there, and yet there's always a central theme of humanity, or there should be. Progressive rock has the same concept of exploration into the parts of the music world that hasn't been explored.

Are you worried that people won't listen to this and just assume it's a novelty record?

Well, it's up to you to convince them that it's not a novelty record.

How do you have so much energy at your age? Most people in their eighties aren't nearly as active as you.

I am lucky to be in good health. I ride a lot of horses. I went riding in the 100-degree heat this morning. I pity the people who retire. What does it mean to retire? Did they not like their work and at the age of 65 decided to get out of there? What a waste of a life.

I am thoroughly enjoying my life and my work right now. I am blissful.

The record will be out October 8th. You can pre-order and listen to some samples of Ponder The Mystery over at Amazon. Be sure to read the full interview over at Rolling Stone, and if you're in California, check out the live shows:

10/23 - Saint Rocke - Hermosa, CA
10/24 - The Canyon Club - Agoura, CA
10/25 - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA

Source: Rolling Stone
Via: Brooklyn Vegan

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