For most fans, Rick Allen has long been a symbol of strength and perseverance. His story from surviving a near-fatal car accident to re-learning how to drum with one arm has inspired generations. Now, more than a year after a sudden and unprovoked assault outside a Florida hotel, the Def Leppard drummer is once again navigating the long road to recovery.
In a recent interview, Rick Allen opened up about the emotional toll of that attack. The physical wounds may have healed, but the mental scars linger.
“I’m still dealing with it,” he shared honestly. “Hopefully, I can put it behind me soon.“
Rick Allen, SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”
It’s a quiet admission from someone who has faced down more adversity than most of us ever will. Allen’s 1984 accident, which could have ended his career, instead became the beginning of something remarkable. He developed a custom kit, adapted his technique, and returned to the stage with Def Leppard in time for the band’s biggest era. His drumming powered Hysteria and countless world tours, and to this day, he remains an integral part of the group’s live sound.
The events of last year were jarring for fans. News broke quickly, but details were scarce. Allen had been attacked while taking a break outside his hotel. It was random, senseless, and a reminder that fame offers no protection from life’s more painful surprises.
Since then, he’s been working through the emotional fallout. It hasn’t been easy, but he’s chosen to stay open about the experience, not for sympathy, but to acknowledge that trauma doesn’t vanish once the headlines fade.
Despite it all, Allen hasn’t missed a beat. He’s been touring, playing, and showing up with the same heart and intensity that’s defined his career. His hybrid kit, blending electronic pads with acoustic drums, still sits at the center of Def Leppard’s sound. And his playing, full of groove and intention, remains a key part of why the band still draws massive crowds decades in.
Offstage, Allen continues his advocacy work through the Raven Drum Foundation, which supports veterans and trauma survivors. It’s another way he turns pain into purpose, just as he’s done so many times before.
Rick Allen’s journey has never been about perfection. It’s about resilience, evolution, and showing up when it matters. He may be carrying more than most can see, but he continues to do what he’s always done: get behind the kit, give everything he has, and play like his life depends on it. Because, in some ways, it always has.