Rush's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Speeches | 2013 Induction 

1:34 You can clearly see on Alex Lifeson's face he is thinking, "I am gonna do the blah blah blah speech, fuck it."

Alex Lifeson is absolutely one of the coolest guys in R&R. I couldnt' stop laughing. Bc even though he only said "blah" I understood everything he was saying.

You have to hand it to Alex. How many acceptance speeches do you remember? Thank you fellas for bending my head for decades. RIP Neil.. Legend.

Greatest acceptance speech EVER. And a big F.U. to the haters.

This was an epic moment in Rock and Roll history 🤘😝🤟!!! Rush is in my life's soundtrack 👊🏼👍🏼!!!

He pulled it off! The very personification of originality.

Alex was PERFECT!

Best acceptance speech ever.

THIS is why I am a RUSH fan and why I relate to them without being able to explain why I do.

I've seen this speech lots of times, it's legendary. But this time watching it was strange realizing that both of the drummers on that stage are now sadly gone. 😟😥😢😭

The only thing more humorous than Alex's speech is the long list of bands that were inducted years before RUSH.

Alex speech ever in history

Now We know why Alex only wrote the music.

Alex's mime of flying with flapping arms confirms my belief: when Rush flew to concerts they were transported by a giant mystical owl. By night, of course.

this is the reason why Neil Peart wrote the lyrics

Is it crazy to say that I understood every word Alex uttered?

Neil's speech was poetic and eloquent. Geddy's speech was moving and beautiful. Alex's speech was completely unexpected and completely punk rock-- a satirical middle finger to all of these awards shows, where too many stars take themselves so seriously that they can't, or won't, laugh at themselves! Dave was right: Rush has always been cool! These three guys rock! We love you and miss you, Neil!

Alex Lifeson is an absolute legend after that acceptance speech

Alex single-handedly gave a FINGER to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its own Stage. GANSTA!

It is very sad to know that Neil will not be indicting Foo Fighters. Not just a great drummer. Not just a great lyricist. A great man. Neil Peart will always be missed.

His "blah blah" speech conveyed more sincere emotion and gratitude than many standard acceptance speeches. Absolute Legend!

Alex Lifeson's improvised speech mocking the RRHOF and other past Rush critics (while thanking Rush fans) was bad-ass and brilliant.

Geddy and Neil looked at alex like he was the younger brother getting to do something for the first time

We love you Neil... We won't stop playing Rush! RIP Neil Peart 1952-2020

Weird how their own nature shows through their speeches, like someone already pointed out: The eloquent, wise wordsmith Peart, the almost motherly loving and caring Lee and the emotional improvisation and unapologetic zany humour of Lifeson. No wonder Rush was unstoppable, they had the perfect balance of these three combined into a single force.

Alex had the most beautiful touching and moving speech ever

Alex's speech will go down in History as one of the Top Acceptance speech on Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Alex said it all without saying a word. Brilliant

Alex pulled off quite possibly one of the most legendary moments in RRHOF history, showing that, while Geddy and Neil were the voice and soul, respectively, of the band, he was the mischievous heart. Missing these guys...

Alex speech rules fuck the hall of fame for taking so long to induct these incredible musicians...love you Alex and rush.

The fact that some of the RHOF big wigs are ass hurt over Alex's speech makes it all so much the better.

Here's the transcript of Alex’s speech: Good evening everyone, Let me begin by saying thanks to all you fans. We’ve been touring and writing and flying all over the universe running ourselves restless, just to perform for ALL of you guys. (Mimicking guitar, drums and vocals.) Then one day someone said: “THE Rocn'n roll Hall of Fame”.....”The ROCK AND ROLL HAAALL of FAAAME” ...Us!? Why? Are you being serious!? So, do you want it or not? Well, let’s just see “1, 2, 3, 4..., 8…, 9 albums. Duh!” The number of albums doesn’t count. Yet, of course it does. Or it doesn’t! Well? Well, FU! But… years went by, more writing, flying around etc. And then, one day (whistling) a phone rings: Hello? Yes, it's Alex. What!? Really!? Awesome, I’ll tell the guys. Guys, they want us in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame! Well, then (getting dressed up, cleaned up, ready to go, pulling the speech paper out): "Good evening. To whom this may concern… (breaking down). Nah! Foock it! I won’t put you all through that torment. So: to my family, crew members, Neil, Geddy, and most of all YOU, GUYS: Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU." Signed & sealed: Alex Lifeson

I understood everything Alex said because my wife speaks the same language....its true😇

Man! Neil's speech is like a poem. Also philosophical

The perfect ending to Alex's bla bla speech would have been Geddy and Neil, each grabbing one of his arms and dragging him away, while he continued to "bla bla bla".

No person can ever top Alex's speech. Classic

Absolute genius. And Geddy and Neil were PISSED… until they later figured it out; Alex was telling the tale of how they were ignored for years, but finally got into the RRHOF. Irreverent and awesome.

ALEX LIFESON'S SPEECH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE GREATEST SPEECHES EVER MADE.

Chris Cornell patting Geddy on the back at :04....man.

What's funny, is that I recall Geddy wearing a T-Shirt that stated "Blah, Blah, Blah" during some of their concerts.

There was nothing left for Alex to say after two such eloquent speeches from his band mates except for BLAH BLAH BLAH!

I didn't know Alex was also a politician.

Neil saying "indicting" instead of "inducting" twice was no accident.

It’s hilarious the man who never liked meet and greets starts the speeches😂

Alex not only gave a huge middle finger to the rock & roll hall of fame but to all the critics and haters who just couldn’t handle the fact that Rush were and will always be cool. I’ve been so blessed to have seen them in Glasgow twice. Neil we miss you 🖤

Alex lifeson nailed it 🤘🤘🤘

Alex's acceptance speech will always be the best in RRHOF history.

Alex’s blah fest was actually brilliant. To me he was expressing their career and time together while forging one of the greatest & most influential bands of all time. Then, in later age finally receiving a phone call to notify him that Rush had FINALLY been inducted (after years of eligibility). Just my takeaway.

Priceless!! Middle finger to all these self-important award shows!

They all nailed it. My favorite moment is Alex's rendition of Tom Sawyer at 4:40.

Alex with the most iconic acceptance speech the hall has ever seen

Cmon these guys should've been inducted years ago. The fact it took this long was a complete joke. Dave Grohl said it best in an earlier speech that night about how ridiculous it was that RUSH wasn't already in the RRHOF, going so far as to call out "Rolling Stone magazine" for their utter bias against RUSH. Each one of these musicians was at the very top of their game. It's ridiculous it took this long.

3:32 They don't call their fans "toxic" : they are true, humble and grateful, as they are supremely talented artsits.

Always strikes me how well spoken Neil is.... Ged and Alex are well spoken in their own way but Neil..... He had a awesome voice

I've always thought Alex is the kid, Neil's the dad and Geddy's the mom. One happy family lol

The speeches were perfect, Neil, profound and deep, Geddy, heartfelt, Alex. Just plain fun.

alex: bla bla bla bla blaaaaa everybody: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Those three, no ego’s no bullshit just respect for each other and GREAT music. LEGENDS ❤

Alex's speech was a satirical middle finger to the joke that is the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, it was awesome!

1:58 “and those who are gone”, man I’m probably wrong but that might be a reference to his tragedy. That was so heartwarming.

The band that truly inspired me to play the drums! From the beginning, 11yr old boy to NOW 51yr old boy. The passion must live on! 🤩🤟

To the people who think Alex was disrespectful (because you don't get it) I have a very important thing to say to you all... BLAH BLUB BLAH BLA!

I saw Alex a few times back in the 70's at a local convenience store in Thornhill, ON. One time I said hello and asked him what Rush was up to and he said they were recording Hemispheres. Yes, Neil had the titled pick long before they finished it apparently. I think they were well into it and Alex told me it was the most difficult album to produce in terms of complexity. I found that interesting to think about when I listened to this great album when it was released first on red vinyl no less for the Canadian pressings anyway. Alex was friendly and definately appreciates his fans. I mean you can catch someline like that you don't know at the wrong time for them but he could tell I was a fan who knew the bands music well.

Alex's total commitment to his mockery is what really sells it!

You can actually see at the first seconds of his speech Alex wondering: Blah blah or not blah blah?

What a gem those 3 are. Makes me so proud to be Canadian. Thank you RUSH.

At 4:49 Geddy says to Neil "I'll knock him out, you drag him off the stage"

Alex’s speach moved me to tears. Wow, who would have known.

Watching giddy and Neil behind him try to hold it together. Omg. There will never be another !!!! Rush!!!

When Alex was talking his parents disapproval in the beginning, those blah blahs were the most touching.

Ladies and Gentlemen , a standing ovation to the GREATEST band in history !!!!! RUSH=LEGENDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The greatest speech of all time

5:48 "Blah! blah blah blah" It's so true. He is such an inspiration

It must’ve taken Alex a long time to write such a deep and moving speech

I wish I could have seen Dave Grohl's and Taylor Hawkins faces busting out laughing during Alex's bla bla bla speech ;) classic

Canadian humility at its finest. Rush makes me proud of Canada and my homeland. Class act.

Words really can't describe how much I enjoyed that speech

And I still don't think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gets what Alex's speech was really saying or that it was meant for them.

Alex’a speech was so moving I began to well up with tears. He has such a wonderful way of saying what was on his mind. I will miss them all greatly.

Alex nailed it. Every blah-ing word.

An amazing band, loved by millions now and millions more tomorrow! We love you guys! ❤️ Thanks Neil for the inspiration!

Neil's speech is so poetic, no wonder he wrote the lyrics.

6:25, Neil and Geddy considered knocking Alex out for a second.

Alex’s speech sounded like the teachers from Charlie Brown talking

In all of human history, past, present and future, there will NEVER be better acceptance speech. Thank you, Alex!

I love how he even "translated" the ring tone into the blabla language. xD

I’m just going to tell my kids Harrison Ford played guitar in Rush

One only can beat this Alex Lifeson acceptance speech: When Little Richard inductee Otis Redding.

I remember watching that and I about fell on the floor laughing, a perfect display of humor and sarcasm at the same time!

Amen, Alex.

Gotta love Alex's VERY ARTICULATE speech !!!

I'm going to do Alex's acceptance speech in front of my boss after I tell him I quit my job

I’ve heard about “The Speech” but never heard it ‘till now. That’s pretty good stuff there! He cut it off right after the awkwardness started to settle in which works perfect.

Neil had such an amazing voice. Incredible drummer too! Fuck. Cancer.

Alex brought the house down!!!

Alex is talking on his BLAnguage

About a minute into Alex's speech the other two realise that this is not going to stop Anytime soon

The part when he said blah really got me

Rush was the first band I saw in concert at the Michigan Palace in 1974. I was 15. They were great and so loud! They opened for Kiss. I immediately bought Fly By Night and have never stopped listening. I just discovered their acceptance speech minutes ago and had to watch Alex twice (so far). I'm literally in tears as I laugh my ass off. I love you guys!!

Taylor Hawkins was jumping up and down like a child in a candy store