Before Boston Legal, Priceline Commercials & TJ Hooker, The Unthinkable Happened...
William Shatner has had a much-mocked musical career, starting with the 1968 album The Transformed Man. Delivered with orchestral backings with the odd "psychedelic" flourish, his exaggerated, interpretive recitations of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" became instant camp classics. Shatner would eventually parody his own musical style several times in the 1990s, including during an episode of Futurama, in which he performed a spoken word version of the rap hit song "The Real Slim Shady."
Shatner performed a reading of the Elton John song "Rocket Man" during the Science Fiction Film Awards, televised in 1978. Dressed in tuxedo ruffles with a hand-rolled cigarette in hand, he spoke with Kirk-like delivery against a synthesizer-laden backdrop of the song. This was spoofed in an episode of Family Guy.
Shatner provided vocals for "In Love" by Ben Folds on his Fear of Pop album. He would later provide vocals for an alternate version of Folds' song "Rockin' the Suburbs" which was contributed to the Over the Hedge soundtrack in 2006.
A creative friendship blossomed that led to Folds producing and co-writing Shatner's well-received second studio album,Has Been, in 2004. The album centers around Shatner's often melancholy and regretful autobiographical ruminations, and features a number of prestigious guest artists such as Aimee Mann, Lemon Jelly, Henry Rollins, Brad Paisley and Joe Jackson. Notably, Has Been features the single "Common People", a cover version of the song by Pulp.
He appears on the piece "'64 - Go" by Lemon Jelly, featured on their CD entitled '64 - '95, and in Brad Paisley's music video for "Celebrity" and "Online." Shatner also appears as a studio producer in the music video for "Landed" by Ben Folds.
In 2007 a ballet called Common People, set to Has Been, was created by Margo Sappington (of Oh! Calcutta! fame) and performed by the Milwaukee Ballet. Shatner attended the premiere and filmed the event. The filmed footage eventually turned into a feature film called Gonzo Ballet, due out in 2008.
Go to Wikipedia to read more about William Shatner and his everchanging career.
William Shatner - "Rocket Man"
William Shatner - "Rocket Man" (1st Generation Copy)
William Shatner sings Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Rocket Man" at the 1978 Science Fiction Awards show. Shatner is introduced by Taupin. Why post this again? This is a first generation (higher quality) copy of the clip with improved audio, also includes the introduction of Taupin by actress Karen Black.
Runtime: 312
560557 views
1343 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Great William Shatner Chic
William Shatner- The Green Lantern Sings
William Shatner Stuff
William Shatner-Common People
William Shatner On The Web
- William Shatner On Wikipedia
- Wikipedia's official listing
- William Shatner on TV.com
- TV.com listing
- William Shatner on tribute.ca
- William Shatner Fan Site
- NNDB
- William Shatner Fan Site
- Official William Shatner Web Site
- Official William Shatner Web Site, news, pictures and info
William Shatner - The Real Slim Shady
William Shatner News& Not-So-News
- toomanytribbles: william shatner and adam west in ancient greece
- william shatner and adam west in ancient greece. a pre-star trek and pre-batman pilot that failed. thankfully. in 3 parts. via io9. at Friday, November 27, 2009 permalink. more on: greece, star trek, video. 0 pearls of wisdom: ...
- gordonandthewhale.com » Blog Archive » William Shatner had a scene ...
- It was a debacle that you may remember occurring some months prior to the release of JJ Abrams' STAR TREK. A back-and-forth of sorts between the director and the original Kirk himself, William Shatner, on whether the actor was ever ...
- Truthdig - A/V Booth - William Shatner: Envirophiliac
- Kirk is climbing a mountain. Why? ?Because I'm in love.? There isn't much to say about this inexplicable display of environmental arousal except this: If Bill Shatner loves the environment, so should you. - William Shatner: Envirophiliac.
- Exclusive: Read The Star Trek 2009 Scene Written For William ...
- Most fans can remember that one of the biggest debates around JJ Abrams Star Trek movie was about if it would (or should) include William Shatner. The film makers spoke of how they tried to find a way, but in the end felt it wouldn't ...
William Shatner sings "Taxi" on "Dinah!"
William Shatner: The Man & His Music...What do YOU think???
-
Reply
- dagsmith dagsmith Nov 27, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
- Worthy of Squidoo Blessing - but you really should update with his Hiaku readings of Sarah Palin's twitters.
-
Reply
- mysticmama mysticmama Nov 27, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
- Very Entertaining!... Blessed!
-
Reply
- 5starbaby-com 5starbaby-com Aug 23, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
- LOL, lots of good stuff, funny clips...very nice lens :)
-
Reply
- andreaberrios andreaberrios Aug 21, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
- Very nice lens! Congratulations on your Purple Star.
-
Reply
- Marelisa Marelisa Aug 19, 2009 @ 10:48 am
- I guess all actors eventually go through a stage in which they think they can sing, even if nothing is further from the truth. I'm glad William Shatner got a part in "Boston Legal", because his image really needed a come-back. :-)
- Load More

This Lens Constructed By A Bonafide Giant Squid! Look For The Giant Squid Badge of Honor- Your Assurance Of Quality On Squidoo
Click here to start building your own lenses on Squidoo!
by badmsm



Bette Miles-Holleman is a retail merchandiser, customer service analyst, model and stylist with over 25 years experience in the fashion i...
(more)












