William Alan Shatner was born on this date, 22 March 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. If you’re a Trekker you already know that Captain James T. Kirk was also born on this date in the year 2233. Of course, it also happens to be the birthday of a police sergeant named T. J. Hooker and a senior law partner named Denny Crane, along with a whole bunch of other characters fabricated through the fertile imagination and incredible talent of Bill Shatner.

Here’s Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by William Shatner from his 1968 album, The Transformed Man:

Is this a serious effort or a joke? That debate rages on. There are over 2000 novelty records waiting to surprise you on MusicMaster Oldies, and that’s no joke.

Happy 81st Birthday, Captain Kirk! Live long, and prosper!