As people began to get ready for the holidays in November 2018, social media suddenly became aware of an odd little rumor that had evidently passed under the radar months before.
Apparently William Shatner, an actor and performer who is perhaps best known for his years playing Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek television and original movie series, has recorded a Christmas album with (among others) punk icons Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins:
It’s time to throw your mum’s shitty Christmas CD in the bin.. William Shatner has just announced Shatner Claus; the Christmas album to end all Christmas albums!
Titled Shatner Clause – The Christmas Album, the new album will feature thirteen unique takes on old Christmas classics. From Jingle Bells to Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Shatner’s got you covered.
This is one of those rumors that could go either way — either real or an amusing hoax — but this is completely real. The album was released in late October 2018. Shatner told Entertainment Weekly that a record label pitched the idea to him:
Cleopatra, the record company, said, “How would you like to do a Christmas album?” And I said, “Christmas album? Okay, I’ll do that.” I’ve worked long and hard on it. I can’t sing, but I understand the musicality of the English language. This is the final result. I’ve worked up to this.
Shatner has put out other albums in the past, and had some success; his rendition of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” has become a cult favorite.