The Time Ricky From ‘Trailer Park Boys’ Kidnapped Rush’s Alex Lifeson

Today marks legendary Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson’s 71st birthday. Lifeson was born Aleksandar Živojinović to Serbian immigrant parents in Fernie, British Columbia, but grew up in Toronto. As one of Canada’s most famous native sons, it was only a matter of time before he teamed with another group of Canadian luminaries: Trailer Park Boys

In the aptly named 2003 episode, “Closer to the Heart,” the “boys” — Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles — want to attend a Rush concert (mostly Bubbles who idolizes the band). But their plan to get tickets is foiled by antagonist Jim “The Liquor” Lahey and his shirtless sidekick Randy when the pair buy up all the remaining tickets.

While the boys hatch a few stoner schemes to get into the concert, Ricky finally takes matters into his own hands and heads to Lifeson’s hotel. He gains access to his room, room 2112, by posing as a guitar tech and proceeds to abduct the guitarist as he shaves in the bathroom.

To get Lifeson out of the hotel, Ricky uses some not-so-subtle subterfuge.

“Hotel Security! This man’s drunk as fuck, he’s on drugs, he’s a male prostitute. I’m gonna escort him out of here!” Bubbles subsequently confirms that this is one of Ricky’s go to smokescreens.

Back at the trailer park, Ricky introduces Lifeson to a stunned Julian. Ricky almost gives away Julian’s name but catches himself and introduces him as Gord Downie, frontman of Canadian group the Tragically Hip. Ricky then asks Lifeson to “play that Diane Sawyer song.”

The boys end up making it to the Rush show. The concert footage in the episode was filmed on location at a Rush concert. Rush’s Geddy Lee and Neil Peart also make cameos in the episode.

To celebrate Alex Lifeson’s birthday, watch the hilarious kidnapping scene below: