WILLIAM SHATNER To Be Presented With 'Honorary Headbanger Award' At REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS

Legendary actor, recording artist and author William Shatner will be presented with the Honorary Headbanger Award at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods award show presented by Epiphone on Wednesday, April 20, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. Revered for his role as Captain James T. Kirk on "Star Trek", Shatner will be on hand to accept his award, an honor Revolver magazine bestows each year to someone who has made their name outside of the metal world but still embodies its spirit. Later this year, Shatner will officially prove the latter with his new album, "Seeking Major Tom" (Cleopatra),which features collaborations with hard-rock musicians, including Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice of DEEP PURPLE, and, on a cover of BLACK SABBATH's "Iron Man", Zakk Wylde of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and Mike Inez of ALICE IN CHAINS.

"Short of receiving an Emmy for my superb voice, the Honorary Headbanger Award is the next best thing. Praise be you won't hear me sing," said William Shatner.

In other exciting news, Cherie Currie of THE RUNAWAYS will make a special guest appearance, performing with the Presley/Cash-inspired metal group VOLBEAT, while Max Cavalera of SEPULTURA, SOULFLY, and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY will join HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta and DEVILDRIVER in their salute to the hardcore legends BLACK FLAG.

Meanwhile, on the "Black Carpet" — Revolver's version of the traditional Red Carpet — Sebastian Bach will host the pre-awards-show festivities for Revolver TV's "Black Carpet Special". Furthermore, Marcus Henderson — the man responsible for writing Guitar Hero's epic riffs — will be hosting Epiphone's Black Carpet coverage. In addition, Jamey Jasta will serve as celebrity DJ for evening.

Additional performances for the show include the ALICE COOPER group (in their first L.A. appearance in nearly 40 years),LOADED (featuring Duff McKagan of GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER fame),award-show host Chris Jericho's band FOZZY and fast-rising metalcore outfit ASKING ALEXANDRIA, who will be joined by Sebastian Bach on the SKID ROW favorite "Youth Gone Wild". The night will close out with a blistering set by AVENGED SEVENFOLD. The event will be televised on VH1 Classic on Saturday, May 28, but for those who want to witness this epic show in person, tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

The 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards presented by Epiphone will include appearances from rock's most iconic and influential artists, as well as rising stars, including host Chris Jericho, Rob Zombie, Dave Navarro, Vinnie Paul, Taylor Momsen, Wayne Static, Mike Portnoy, and members of ALICE IN CHAINS, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DETHKLOK, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD and many more.

In addition to the Honorary Headbanger Award, other special honors for the night include the "Golden God Award"- — given to one musician each year who personifies all that is hard rock and metal — which will go to shock-rock godfather Alice Cooper, who is celebrating the reunion of the original ALICE COOPER group and his recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Also, this year's recipient of the first-ever "Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award" — renamed in honor of the late, great 2010 Best Vocalist Award winner — is none other than the Sunset Strip's most iconic band, MÖTLEY CRÜE.

The winners in all the other award categories will be chosen by the people, but time is running out. Fans can vote now through Friday, April 1, when voting ends, at www.revolvermag.com.

Photo credit: Eric Hendrikx