On April 18, 2013, Rush were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, at a star-studded ceremony at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
The band were inducted into the Rock Hall by Foo Fighters duo Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, both self-confessed Rush nerds. In his speech, Grohl talked about his introduction to Rush in 1976 via a "cool stoner older cousin" who handed him a copy of 2112, an album he hailed as "heavy shit." He then pulled up a photo of the band in white kimonos and skin-tight 'pants' - "the most infamous band photo of all time" - and joked that, all these years later, the image of Alex Lifeson could still be found on 'CamelToe.org'.
"If you aren’t into Rush," Spin noted, "the speech is basically like Homer Simpson describing the merits of Grand Funk Railroad. If you are into Rush, this is a validation of your life."
As Rush took to the stage to deliver their acceptance speeches, one might have assumed that would be the end of the evening's 'banter'. Neil Peart thanked the group's road crew, co-producers, friends and family. Geddy Lee spoke of his "two really terrific partners" in the band, and spoke of "the privilege" of making music together. And then Alex Lifeson stepped to the podium, and spent over two minutes saying 'Blah Blah Blah" in a variety of ways, to audience reactions ranging from confusion to hilarity.
