“You’re a gift from God”: The day William Shatner called his favourite singer’s daughter
For people of a certain vintage, getting a seal of approval from Captain Kirk himself is just about the highest honour a person can receive. Luckily, then, William Shatner has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to his musical tastes, espousing his adoration of everybody from Jarvis Cocker to John Coltrane.
Although Shatner is still best known for the legendary sci-fi antics of the USS Enterprise back in the 1960s, the actor also boasts an extensive – and often bizarre – music career. Beginning towards the tail-end of the 1960s, with The Transformed Man, that discography has encircled everything from spoken-word interpretations of classic literature to cover versions of contemporary pop songs. Neither genre nor generation seem to be limiting factors within Shatner’s musical output.
Even still, the actor turned musician certainly has his favourites. He has always been rather open, for instance, about his unwavering love of Queen and Freddie Mercury in particular, culminating in his cover of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ back in 2011, on Seeking Major Tom. Nevertheless, when Classic Rock asked him to cite the one artist that changed his life more than any other, there was only one name that sprang to Shatner’s mind: BB King.
A blues legend for whom any introduction would be insufficient, the late BB King remains one of the greatest guitarists to ever grace the American airwaves, and an utterly essential figure within the realm of blues and R&B. As Shatner affirmed, “BB King has such a guttural, heartfelt, soulful voice.”
Adding, “And I loved his ability to be an entertainer for so long.”
That latter quality is one that Shatner seemingly shares with his blues hero, with King’s career spanning seven decades, from the 1940s right up to his passing in 2015, while Shatner has rarely stood still since his first emergence as an actor in the 1950s.
Throughout his extensive and illustrious career, King has been a constant sonic accompaniment for Shatner. It was only fitting, then, that the Star Trek star recorded a cover of King’s defining anthem.
His version of ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ ended up on his 2020 record The Blues, but not before Shatner did his due diligence with regard to researching King’s life. “When I was making The Blues, I actually called his daughter to see if there was any information she could give me about him,” he recalled.
“I wanted to make a documentary on this search for the right blues songs to cover. His daughter said, ‘You’re a gift from God!’ It was very meaningful.” To Shatner, receiving a seal of approval from King’s daughter, in lieu of the man himself, was a momentous occasion, given his lifelong appreciation of the blues pioneer’s output.
Fittingly, then, he recruited another incredible guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, to aid him in recording that 2020 cover of ‘The Thrill Is Gone’. While matching – never mind eclipsing – the original version is a virtual impossibility, Shatner’s recording was a faithful tribute to his hero, evoking the lasting appeal of the legendary guitarist and songwriter.
