Linkin Park's Brad Delson speaks at UCLA graduation | Part 1

Part 1 of 2: Brad Delson, UCLA alum and guitarist for Linkin Park, strips down to a Bruins b-ball jersey and shorts; channels Britney Spears; talks about James Franco, Conan O'Brien, Jamie Foxx and Ellen DeGeneres; and offers some poignant words of wisdom in his spirited keynote address at the UCLA College of Letters and Science commencement ceremony on June 12, 2009.
Delson was selected as they keynote speaker after actor and UCLA alum James Franco canceled June 3 due to a scheduling conflict.

[@udasan]

He was so quick witted and fast thinking he didn't (still doesn't) need a speech note at all! I swear Linkin Park has the most intelligent, cleanest and highly educated band members of all rock band of all time. Chester might not be as high educated as the rest, but he is intelligent, knowledgeable and smart just like the rest of his band. XD

[@babilx6216]

you are so right !!

[@RealTalkWithSSG]

That's why I love and respect these guys so much. They are true role models, not some group of drug addicted misfits who happen to play good guitar and drums, unlike most rock bands. And you are right about Chester, he dropped out of high school indeed, but he was an intelligent guy with a kind heart and a great voice.

[@matuk3200]

Chester was the missing ingredient. The raw, explosive and tender talent. The heart.

[@StarMintaka]

That comments is killing me now

[@StarMintaka]

Venatix_ 92 Most rock bands are formed by people who follow their dreams, have important things to say and work hard. Also, Chester had a drug addiction, it's an illness, not a choice

[@sedomedo]

man, Brad couldn't even finish one sentence without getting interrupted with an applause :D

[@wennietong1557]

I still remember how happy I was on this day. Brad's speech was super hilarious.

[@mstelethatestarossa]

Even though he was their third last minute choice, this is still UCLA's most viewed commencement speech on youtube. =)

[@DrewClaireBaylor]

2:49 LOL THE LPU MEMBERS IN THE BACK "WE LOVE YOU BRAAAAAD!" Then he's all like, "Umm... we let a few members of the LPU fanclub hang out here in the back..." XD

[@nick1991able]

never saw Brad speaking so much..:o

[@jasonknoxx6271]

RIGHT!! When I think Linkin Park I think Mike, Chester, ummm. Oh yea the quiet dude with 70's head phones.. Lol.. Dude has talent to witty comical writing.. Haha

[@m4ssee]

Wow, Brad is pretty funny and such a good speechman.

[@l3laze86]

"I'm not an international statesman, a pulitzer prize winner or even a comedian" but I will be apart of one of the most influential bands in the world, winning awards, selling out concerts and millions of albums/songs so screw college and this degree! Oh yeah and I'm graduating summa cum laude.

[@johnnynguyen5902]

Wassup

[@anisuharni3292]

Brad Delson, UCLA alum and guitarist for Linkin Park

[@StarMintaka]

I can't believe it took 9 out of 10 years of the band being my absolute favorite to get to this video. I hate myself so much

[@Isaiahisnotonfire]

It took me just till now (7/9/2021) at 10:11 Pm, Central Time) Linkin Park, still rocks 🤘🏽

[@akeller212]

UCLA 09!!! he was amazing!

[@Ariel_thenotsolittlemermaid]

If the band ever breaks up, Brad could totally become a comedian

[@elzurdomullen]

Mike Trolling Shinoda sent me here...

[@astrum1525]

He's such a nice person,i love him! he's my inspiration

[@outlawserenade]

Damn, the whole of this speech was SO DAMN BRAD. XD

[@royalster23]

i was there for this ceremony...Brad had us all in tears laughing so hard. What a triumph !

[@allthosepajamas4116]

Why did i find this just now?? It's AWESOME😍😂i love brad

[@lilaznoreo]

he is an awesome speech giver! finally a "not boring" keynote speech

[@mk_valluri]

Came here after listening to member guest podcast.

[@pati9230]

Same :'D

[@killjoysmakesomenoise668]

No way that's Brad.he doesn't wear headphones

[@elizaveta9784]

Brad I love you

[@MUTNODJMETlpe]

Bravo, Brad -- from a new fan, who is the parent of one of the new UCLA alumni. Your speech truly made the evening special and memorable, and people will be calling you for commencement speech advice in the future.

[@CharBroiled04]

I've just added a life-goal to my list: Become great enough that I'm worthy of UCLA asking me to give a key-note speech.

[@davidsusankhadgi7745]

You always rock Brad

[@IceKoldKilla]

Bart Kwan from Just Kidding Films mentioned this in the vlog about them going to Japan and I had to find this. Bart was there from what he said. This is definitely the one as he also said James Franco backed out. Anyways, this is cool to see. I like LP.

[@Bboy-Gamma337]

Ice Kold Killa do u have the link?

[@Isaiahisnotonfire]

Link ?

[@Karmaholic2]

Brad, you are awesome.

[@tharunkumar8133]

How is that hat stable?? 😂😂

[@SushiLover1990]

Keep watching this! So funny, love him!

[@zeenanigans1983]

I'd be so pumped to begin my adult life if this was the speech I'd be sent off with. Always knew an extremely smart, witty and intelligent guy underneath all the dry humor out there. I effin' loved this speech!

[@cloudcandy2581]

i kind of knew tat brad is one of the smartest members in the band :p

[@udasan]

Cloud Candy Actually all of them are smart, including Chester (rest in peace to him). They are the cleanest rock band too - no drugs, no alcohol and yes, that includes the late Chester too (he's a recovery drugs and alcohol addict for over 10 years till death). 😄

[@RealTalkWithSSG]

That *clean* part about them is the reason I love and respect LP so much. All of them are really grounded men, with stable relationships. They are proof that you don't have to be a zombie-fied crack/heroin addict to be a super cool rock musician. Aspiring rock musicians should learn from them. Unfortunately Chester was drunk when he died, it's probable that alcohol messed with his mind because he was sober for years. :(

[@BlueEyes-ro2rv]

Venatix_ 92 Chester was NOT drunk at the time of his death. He may have consumed up to 1.5 beers. Read the toxicology report. It is my opinion that he started to drink and was ashamed of relapsing and didn’t wanta disappoint anyone yet again. That coupled with all the other factors that night resulted in his suicide. Just my opinion but he was NOT drunk.

[@BlueEyes-ro2rv]

Venatix_ 92 and he had only been sober for 6 months.

[@georgelillygirl]

oh dear god this is great

[@msm7512]

Love how he flexed his jersey 😂

[@thenly3]

holy shit!! I didn't know that one of my heroes went to the university i wanna go....

[@dancerkris95]

Dave Farrell also went to UCLA and was roommates with Brad for 3 years. Thats how they met. Mike, Brad, and Rob knew each other in high school. Mike and Hahn met in art school. Mike, Brad, and Rob were forming a band. Brad brought in Dave, Mike brought in Hahn and his middle school friend Mark. Then there was a falling out with Mark, who was the lead vocalist. They held an audition, and Chester received a demo from a friend and after 15 seconds of hearing the demo he got on the phone and was interested and then ended up going to Cali to audition and became their lead vocals. I think it was Rob that had said while Chester was in the room auditioning the other guys out in the hall waiting to auditioned, heard Chester's singing, and they just up and left, lol.

[@17condition0]

@sanya27cutie It was in 2009,, Brad was asked to come and give a keynote speech to all the graduates... Same way as Mike was aksed to come at the art center for the speech... Its in 2009

[@edwinpham4320]

Brad Delson is my idol! Go rock man!

[@tumbleweedxo]

I love this. :) Congrats to the graduates, and Brad for the great speech.

[@UCLABruins4Ever]

Can't remember my commencement speaker either...I wish Brad was there for my class. Great job! Go Bruins!

[@jinguzman]

brad could not have given a better speech! i enjoyed this ceremony!

[@abbysimpson5443]

my fav video ever!!!

[@ajyu7289]

man, he nails that afro.

[@yuda162]

Brad iis really nice love he so much

[@gipfelspitze]

great guy, great speech. congrats everbody! graduated in '06. Go Bruins!

[@lilaznoreo]

LP ROCKS! brad does too! he is so funny. never really knew that :P

[@davidnissim589]

Brad is so funny

[@LinkinParkConnoisseur]

awesome!

[@utopiainwonderland]

Wow Brad! That speech was made of awesome! Brilliant. Come to my graduation next time to give the commencement speech or prolly even sing another britney song, ok? hehehehe....

[@stellayang8661]

Genius like Linkin Park Hybrid Theory. Go Bruins!

[@IrishRail123]

he looks so much younger like this this is great :D

[@andydanko7074]

The girl behind him standing over his left shoulder is just infatuated with him. She's laughing so hard I swear she peed her pants

[@adriannelibra]

I have no idea that Brad is funny, I love LP even more.

[@julitacytryna]

thanks :*

[@hafkhrazie08]

Brad, you are AWESOME!!! YOU'RE THE MAN!!! ^_^

[@animefreak655]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD!!!! =)

[@LittleSweety]

Happy birthday,Brad! #brad #delson

[@LinkinParkGR1]

Brad Delson awesome!!

[@franzenzo]

2:50 look his face xD, brad is so funny :D

[@Welpme69]

greatest speech, ever! :D

[@TheSpooky130]

as soon as this came on and saw him two word. NO WAY!

[@andidenbrutale]

this was a great speach

[@nick1991able]

in short Brad is telling funny stories. He is surprised he was called for being a key note speaker which he says he never has done before and that James Franco was called but he didn't make it and blah blah...:D

[@jasonknoxx6271]

A paragraph to fail at being funny making a sarcastic joke referring to a 10 min keynote.. The on thing short here is that you're short of humor...

[@ookingdomstaroo]

what did it say on his jersey? I couldn't read it...

[@mstelethatestarossa]

@ookingdomstaroo It says Keynote on his back. I don't know how I remember this from nearly 3 years ago, but that's what it said.

[@jasonknoxx6271]

The number on his jersey should have be "02" being the 2nd person asked. This guy has me confused,shocked, and amused that not only does he talk but he has wit and humor. Plus he can live without those big 70's headphones. I have never seen him without that head gear. I figured they were a kind of robot life support system. lol

[@xXGreyDazeXx]

Happy Birthday!

[@kausti]

What does the tshirt say on the back?

[@ninjajim]

Ha Ha I was there, this was excellent, though I was kinda bummed conan didnt want to do it

[@Busta311]

Brad is awesome! I'm happy he gave this speech and cracked a bunch of jokes as well.

[@sagarkapasi099]

When Was This Recorded?

[@dimitarvel1441]

12th June 2009

[@zjrykoa]

Hahaha he did awesomely, good show, Brad! Such a cool celeb.

[@verac.4497]

❤❤❤

[@julitacytryna]

can someone tell me just what generally he's talking about? im from poland and i understand not a lot... could someone tell me? and of what is he joking?

[@footrolhas]

Brad is the best :D

[@THEANnetWork]

are lp members coming

[@AlphaTiger4]

Go Bruins!!! 🤘 #LinkinPark4Life

[@uzair1810]

❤️

[@linkdude64]

I don't listen to LP anymore, but man, this dude is funny. Haha

[@leilei9850]

😍😍😍

[@sussmanfsu]

awesome

[@rockergal1011]

holy shit that was on my 18th B-day lol sweet

[@sanya27cutie]

when as dis event ??

[@andy23lion]

7:33 DOWN IN FRONT!

[@BullsAreTheKings]

BRAD!!!

[@cozyrelaxationcafe]

oh gawd Brad :D

[@msm7512]

I could steal from.. I could learn from 😅

[@rockergal1011]

im surrpized they putt this up its him leavin collage and becommin a rock star how cool is that luv the vid

[@HawKx1x1x1x2]

I read that right when i heard it, lmfao

[@sanya27cutie]

mike was in the same college i cnt c him.

[@TheyCallMeBC]

'09!!!

[@SeriousHarmony]

lol Brad is awesome!!

[@CCtjehh]

omay I love it ;D

[@79thinline]

id like to sjare the pne song to inspire all of you... IVE GIVEN UPPPP IM SICK OF FEELING IS THERE NOTHING YOU CAN SAY TO TAKE THIS ALL AWAY!

[@markalfonso3241]

3:50 I clapped as well.

[@linkinparkfan4ever]

Great job, Brad! I knew you'd be great. We all knew, ha. :P

[@SuperUltra]

Is that Albert Einstein in the back?! LOL

[@MrEventhorizon]

fuking awesome.....

[@philipcabalhug4976]

2:55 LPU

[@LPUvix]

we love you brad!!! we letl pu members in, lol!!:d

[@wellido4134]

Hey Brad

[@Bloody_Palace]

Big Bad Brad (H)

[@matthewkurushin3685]

Brad is very fanny😂

[@Itsallawesome]

Brad is my favorite in Linkin Park