Rick Allen (b. 1963)

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Biography

Richard John Cyril Allen is an English musician who has been the drummer of the hard rock band Def Leppard since 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm in 1985 and continued to play with the band, which went on to its most commercially successful phase. Known as "The Thunder God" by fans, he is ranked No. 7 on Gigwise in The Greatest Drummers of All Time list.

Timeline

The story of Rick Allen, told in moments.

1984 Event

Lost his left arm in a car crash on the A57 near Sheffield. His Corvette left the road. Surgeons reattached the arm but infection set in. It was amputated weeks later. He was 21.

What went through your mind after the crash? Did you ever consider giving up? How did losing your arm at 21 reshape your identity?

1986 Life

Returned to Def Leppard using a custom electronic drum kit designed by Simmons. Foot pedals triggered sounds his left arm used to play. He never considered quitting.

How did you learn to play drums with foot pedals? Was designing the custom kit exciting or frustrating? What made you certain you'd return to the band?

1987 Event

Played on Hysteria, which sold over 25 million copies worldwide. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Love Bites" both hit number one. Nobody buying the album knew the drummer had one arm.

Did anyone buying Hysteria know you had one arm? How does 25 million copies feel when every beat cost extra effort? Was 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' your comeback anthem?

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