Def Leppard’s legendary drummer Rick Allen is finally opening up about a frightening moment that changed his life.
In 2023, Rick, now 61, was randomly attacked outside a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The rock star was just standing outside, having a smoke, when a teenager suddenly ran at him, knocked him down, and caused him to hit his head on the pavement. Two years later, Rick says he’s still trying to heal—both physically and emotionally.
“It was very traumatic,” Rick said during an interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk. “I’ve been going through some challenging times… I just needed to take a break from some of the side projects I was busy with, just so I could spend more time at home.”
Rick did rejoin Def Leppard for their stadium tour last summer, and he plans to hit the road again with the band in May. But he admits juggling his art projects and music commitments hasn’t been easy.
“That’s been a real challenge for me,” he shared. “Hopefully I can put it all behind me and get back to as normal as I can be, given everything that happened.”
Even fun events, like a cruise he recently joined, were tough for him. Being around a lot of people made him anxious.
“I told myself, ‘Rick, don’t try and do too much. Just take care of what’s in front of you. Be home as much as you need to,’” he said. “I’d love to get back to my art projects soon.”
The attack in 2023 shocked fans everywhere. Rick was outside the Four Seasons Hotel when a 19-year-old tourist from Ohio allegedly ran at him “full speed” and slammed into him. Rick fell backward, hitting his head on the ground. A woman who tried to help was also hurt—the suspect pulled her by the hair and dragged her after she tried to escape into the hotel.
The young man didn’t stick around. Police later found him smashing car windows nearby. He was arrested and charged with several crimes, including battery and abusing a disabled adult.
Rick, who lost his left arm in a car accident back in 1984, has always been a fighter. Despite the trauma, he’s focused on gratitude and healing. Two months after the attack, he spoke with Good Morning America about the terrifying moment.
“I saw this dark flash before I hit the ground,” he said. “I don’t think he knew who I was, but he must have seen I wasn’t a threat—I’ve only got one arm.”
Rick said that even in that painful moment, he felt thankful. “I just started thanking a higher power that I’m still here. I have an amazing wife and incredible family.”
Right after the attack, Rick posted a message to fans saying, “Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping.” He also shared that his wife Lauren wasn’t with him at the time but that they were now safely recovering together.
Rick’s courage and honesty remind us that even rockstars face hard times. And while the road to healing hasn’t been easy, Rick Allen continues to inspire—with his music, his heart, and his bravery.
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