Rick Allen On Joining DEF LEPPARD And His Accident Recovery

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was recently interviewed about his drumming and artwork.

Rick spoke to journalist Carol Ruther Weber for Medium.com.

Rick talked about his inspiration to start drumming at ten years old, joining Def Leppard aged 15, dealing with his accident/the recovery process, living with just one arm, visiting Walter Reed in 2006, his artwork and his latest exhibitions.

He once again recounted the story of how he joined the band in late 1978 and his triumphant return to drumming and being "The Thundergod" after his 1984 car accident.

His most recent art events took place on 18th March in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida.

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Medium - Rick Allen Interview Quotes

Joining Def Leppard In 1978

"From the point that I got my drum kit I started playing with my friends and had a band. We were playing cover songs and from there, every band I ended up playing with played cover songs, and I wanted more! So, at 14 I was going to get out of the business, and my parents said there is an article in the Sheffield Star [local paper] saying “Leppard Losses Skins.”

"They called the editor and got Joe’s information, and within a few days I went and met up with Steve and Joe in a local pub, standing in water in the bathroom we talked about all of the concerts that we had been to. From there we set a date for an audition and I auditioned with a couple of others. A few days later, around my 15th birthday, I was invited to join the band. My sixteenth birthday I opened for ACDC."

Did you feel like life ended when the reality of the accident set in?

"Yes and no! Initially it was like I don’t think I can do this anymore. At the time, I was going through many mystical experiences. Then the outpouring from my family, guys in the band, and literally people from all over the planet, gave me a new lease on life. I understood the meaning of how strong the human spirit is."

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• Read the full interview at - medium.com
• Def Leppard - Interviews 2017
• Previous News - 21st March 2017
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