DEF LEPPARD's RICK ALLEN On Stand By Me/Raven Drum Benefit

Friday, 25th April 2025

Def Leppard 2025/Shana Veter

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was recently interviewed and mentioned the Stand By Me single and New York Raven Drum event.

The 2nd Annual Raven Drum Foundation Benefit concert takes place later tonight in New York, NY.

Rick is due to appear alongside his wife Lauren Monroe.

Rick appeared on the Eddie Trunk Trunk Nation show on SiriusXM on 17th April.

The event at The Cutting Room in New York will include performances and s ceremony honouring ex-KISS drummer Peter Criss.

During their 44 minute chat Rick talked about the Raven Drum show, working in his home studio/upcoming outside projects, his drum kit/playing technique, other drummers, first responders, his 1984 accident, Peter Criss, attending a 1980 KISS show, getting attacked in Florida in March 2023/ongoing issues, Def Leppard 2025 tour/update on Vivian's health and the Stand By Me single.

Stand By Me Single

Rick briefly commented on the 'Stand By Me' single which was released in January and the charity aspect of the release.

Raven Drum Benefit Concert

Rick commented on tonight's event in New York.

He also talked about Pete Criss and attending a 1980 KISS 'Unmasked Tour' show in Stafford at Bingley Hall with Joe when Girl were supporting them.

This is when Girl, featuring future Leppard/Manraze members Phil Collen and Simon Laffy, played with KISS at Wembley Arena as well as shows in Stafford and Queensferry (in Wales).

This interview took place on 17th April live on SiriusXM for listeners in the USA but is now available on the podcast edition worldwide.

Listen to the full 44 minute audio below (also available on Apple Music).

Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).

Def Leppard 2025.

Rick Allen/Trunk Nation - April 2025 Interview Quotes - (Transcribed by dltourhistory)

Stand By Me Single

Eddie Trunk:

Yeah, yeah — no doubt.

And bringing this all full circle — as far as first responders and charity things — we should mention that Def Leppard did a really great cover of Stand By Me that was to benefit first responders and for fire relief in the L.A. area.

Tell us about doing that one.

Rick Allen:

I mean, it was — you know — we were doing Bank of Dave 2, and we ended up doing a cover of Stand By Me.

And then the L.A. fires happened, and we’re like — this would be a great song to put out there.

So what we did is — all the proceeds from that song went toward the victims of the L.A. fires.

And I mean, it was the right thing to do.

I actually gathered some guitars together and got — I got everybody but Vivian to sign them, for obvious reasons.

I couldn’t send anything to Vivian, because, you know, he was kind of quarantined at the time.

But between Def Leppard and Raven Drum, we did something really good and raised a good amount of money.

And it all went to the right places, for the right reasons.

Sometimes in life, you just have to do the right thing, you know?

And I’m really fortunate to be around people that are like-minded.

Rick Allen 2025.

Raven Drum Foundation Benefit Concert 2025

Eddie Trunk:

No doubt.

And I mean, for so many people, drumming is therapeutic in a lot of ways.

And that kind of ties in a little bit with what you are here to talk about — which is the Raven Drum Foundation, which is a tremendous organization.

You and your wife, Lauren — who also is a musician, and we’ve talked about her music on this show before — you're doing this in New York City.

The next event is a week from Friday, April 25th, at The Cutting Room, which is a fantastic venue.

Tell everybody a little bit about the initiative of Raven Drum Foundation, Rick — because I know it is to benefit first responders.

I think it’s wonderful what you do with this.

So tell us about the organization — and I know for this event, you’re going to be honoring a guy that I’m a huge fan of and a friend of as well: Peter Criss, the original drummer from KISS.

Rick Allen:

Oh, wow. Whenever.

Yeah. One of the first things I say whenever I'm doing retreats with our first responders is:

If it wasn't for the likes of you guys, I might not be here.

And, you know, I see the guys out there. I see the girls out there.

And any one of them could be a Roger or an Eileen.

So you're absolutely correct in saying that if it wasn't for them, I might not be here — you know, talking on the phone.

You know what I mean?

Eddie Trunk:

Yeah, it's amazing.

So they didn’t know each other?

They just happened to be in the vicinity of your accident?

Rick Allen:

They came to my aid.

They met over that — and then they ended up becoming a couple.

Unbelievable. They actually came to mine and Lauren’s wedding.

So, yeah.

I know — it's so awesome that, you know, that kind of event, that kind of traumatic event, could actually have some sort of silver lining.

It just goes to show — first responders are a different breed.

They’re never off duty. They’re always on duty.

Whenever they’re out and about and they see a situation where they can help — just automatically, they do.

So, you know, again, this is the least we can do for them — is help them.

Eddie Trunk:

Yeah, no doubt.

Hey, I wanted to ask you real quickly — going back to Peter Criss, who's being honored at this event.

And as you mentioned, there’s plenty of other great musicians — some of the guys from Blue Öyster Cult, as you mentioned, Corky Laing...

Everyone can find out more at RavenDrumFoundation.org.

But growing up — you're around the same age as me, maybe exactly the same age — and for you, growing up in England, I don’t know how often KISS came over back in the '70s when Peter was in the band...

Did you see the original KISS in England? Were you a fan? Did you see them as a kid?

Rick Allen:

Well, interestingly enough, I went — and this was before Phil Collen joined Def Leppard — I went to see KISS, and I was with Joe that night.

I went to see KISS at a place called Bingley Hall, probably about an hour from Sheffield.

KISS were playing, and Girl — the original band that Phil played with — were opening for KISS.

Eddie Trunk:

Oh wow! What year?

Rick Allen:

This must have been…

Maybe 1979?

No, maybe a bit later than that.

Maybe about 1980, ’81, ’82.