View source for Rick Allen (drummer)

{{Short description|English drummer for Def Leppard}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = Rick Allen
| image             = DefLappardO2061218-51 (49913641228) (Cropped).jpg
| caption           = Allen performing in 2018
| background        = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name        = Richard John Cyril Allen
| alias             = The Thunder God
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|11|1}}
| birth_place       = [[Dronfield]], [[Derbyshire]], England
| instrument        = Drums
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
* [[hard rock]]
* [[glam metal]]
* [[arena rock]]
* [[pop rock]]
}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* songwriter
* activist
}}
| years_active      = 1978–present
| current_member_of   = [[Def Leppard]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Stacy Lauren Gilbert|1991|2000|end=divorce}}
{{marriage|Lauren Cuggino Monroe|2003|}}
| website           = {{url|rickallen.com}}
}}

'''Richard John Cyril Allen''' (born 1 November 1963) 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 January 1985 and continued to play with the band, which went on to its most commercially successful phase. He is known as "The Thunder God" by fans.<ref name="gold">{{cite web|last=Gold|first=Adam|title=Def Leppard's Rick Allen: The Cream Interview [Updated]|url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2009/08/07/def-leppards-rick-allen-the-cream-interview-updated|publisher=Nashville Scene|access-date=13 September 2012|date=7 August 2009|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005808/http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2009/08/07/def-leppards-rick-allen-the-cream-interview-updated|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Thunder God|url=https://medium.com/the-road-to-character/the-thunder-god-2fb4d4f1ae4d|last=Rager|first=Eleanor|date=2017-08-07|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He is ranked No. 7 on the UK website [[Gigwise]] in ''The Greatest Drummers of All Time'' list.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Greatest Drummers Of All Time!|url=http://www.gigwise.com/photos/43499/44/the-greatest-drummers-of-all-time|website=gigwise.com|publisher=Gigwise|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Allen was born on 1 November 1963 in [[Dronfield]], [[Derbyshire]] to Kathleen Moore and Geoffrey Allen, and started playing drums at the age of nine. He performed in the bands Grad, Smokey Blue, Rampant, and the Johnny Kalendar Band.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://zildjian.com/Artists/A/Rick-Allen | title= Artist Biography | work=Zildjian | access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> When he was 14, his mother replied on his behalf to an advertisement placed by a band called [[Def Leppard]] looking for a drummer to replace Tony Kenning ("Leppard loses skins" was the advertisement's headline). He later joined the band on 1 November 1978, which was his 15th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web|title=40 Years Ago: Rick Allen Joins Def Leppard|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rick-allen-joins-def-leppard/|last=Kielty|first=Martin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=27 November 2018 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In 1979, he dropped out of school to concentrate on a career in music. He celebrated his 16th birthday with a performance at the Hammersmith Odeon, when Def Leppard opened for [[AC/DC]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Is Helping Wounded Veterans Through Healing Art|url=https://wcbsfm.radio.com/2018/01/11/def-leppard-drummer-rick-allen-wounded-veterans-healing-art-interview|date=2018-01-11|website=WCBS-FM 101.1|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

== Car crash and recovery ==
{{quotebox|width=200px|quote="What I've experienced through losing my arm, I wouldn't change. The human spirit is so strong."|source=Rick Allen<ref>{{cite book|title=Def Leppard: Arena Rock Band|page=37|first=Laura|last=Jeffrey|publisher=Enslow|year=2010|isbn=978-0-766-03234-7}}</ref>}}
On the afternoon of 31 December 1984, Allen was involved in a car crash with his girlfriend, Miriam Barendsen, on the [[A57 road]] in the countryside a few miles west of [[Sheffield]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rick Allen {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-allen-mn0001913136/biography|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Day Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Lost His Arm in Car Crash|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-rick-allen-car-crash-1984/|last=Wilkening|first=Matthew|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=31 December 2014 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> 
A car in front of theirs deliberately slowed for him to catch up, only to speed up as he tried to pass. This went on for several miles until, in frustration, he accelerated to pass, at which point he lost control of the left-hand-drive [[Corvette C4]], which hit a dry stone wall and entered a field. His left arm was entangled in the seat belt and severed, remaining in the car while he was flung out.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimclash/2021/11/21/def-leppards-rick-allen-on-the-1984-corvette-accident-that-took-his-arm/|title=Def Leppard's Rick Allen On The 1984 Corvette Accident That Took His Arm|first=Jim|last=Clash|website=Forbes.com|access-date=20 March 2023}}</ref> Doctors initially re-attached it, but it was later amputated due to an infection.<ref>Fricke, D., and M. Selinger. "To Hell & Back. (Cover Story)." Rolling Stone 629 (1992): 38. Retrieved 20 February 2015.</ref><ref>Stevens, Christine. "Reclaiming the Rhythm: An Interview with Rick Allen." Percussive Notes 08 2002: 54, 56. Retrieved 20 February 2015.</ref>

Initially Allen felt "defeated" but, buoyed by "family, friends and hundreds of thousands of letters from all over the planet", he decided to continue playing drums with Def Leppard, and adopted a specially designed electronic drum kit.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard: the story behind Rick Allen's triumphant comeback|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/def-leppard-rick-allen-live-comeback|date=19 August 2016|author=Rick Allen|website=Classic Rock Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> The band took a hiatus from onstage performances until 5 August 1986 (Allen's first live performance since losing his arm), instead doing a small run of public rehearsal shows in Ireland in advance of their 16 August 1986 [[Monsters of Rock]] festival performance at Castle Donington.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/def-leppard-rick-allen-live-comeback | title=Def Leppard: The story behind Rick Allen's triumphant comeback | date=19 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/1986cork.html | title=Def Leppard Cork, Ireland 1986 Setlist }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard's Rick Allen: Perseverance|url=http://52.20.94.27/2011/12/def-leppards-rick-allen-perseverance/|date=2011-12-16|website=Modern Drummer Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He has since re-adopted partially acoustic drum kits depending on the setting.<ref name=":1" />

==Equipment==
Allen has used custom-manufactured cable routing by [[Whirlwind USA|Whirlwind]]. He uses four electronic pedals for his left foot to play the pieces he used to play with his left arm, which from left to right trigger sounds of a closing [[hi-hat]], [[bass drum]], [[snare drum]], and a [[Tom-tom drum|tom drum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whirlwindusa.com/deflep.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051119043542/http://www.whirlwindusa.com/deflep.html|url-status=dead|title=Whirlwind / Def Leppard|archive-date=19 November 2005|access-date=20 March 2023}}</ref>  
 
In 2009, [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] announced the addition of Allen to their artist roster. He plays Yamaha Oak Custom drums with a matching subkick.<ref name=":1">[http://www.yamaha.com/artists/newsdetail.html?CNTID=5116464 Yamaha Welcomes Legendary Rick Allen to its Drum Roster | Yamaha Artists]. Yamaha.com (16 October 2009). Retrieved on 15 September 2011.</ref> He also uses [[Remo]] drumheads (usually he has coated Ambassadors on his drums and a clear Powerstroke 3 on his bass drum), [[Zildjian]] cymbals (mostly K customs, Z Customs and A customs), an Ahead drumstick and an LP rock cowbell.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Welcomes PMC's "Roadie for a Day" Grand Prize Winner|url=https://www.playdrums.com/news/2018/9/26/def-leppard-drummer-rick-allen-welcomes-pmcs-roadie-for-a-day-grand-prize-winner|website=PlayDrums.com|date=26 September 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He previously used [[Ludwig Drums]], [[Paiste]] 2002, RUDE, and Sound Creation cymbals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard's Rick Allen|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/november-1983-def-leppards-rick-allen/|website=Modern Drummer Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

== Charitable works ==
Allen and his wife Lauren Monroe are the co-founders of the Raven Drum Foundation, a charity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raven Drum Foundation: Celebrity Supporters|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/charity/raven-drum-foundation|website=Look to the Stars|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> Allen also formed the One Hand Drum Company to provide funding for the Raven Drum Foundation. The company primarily sells merchandise featuring "Stick Rick", an illustrated character representing Allen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rick Allen – The One-Armed Drummer from Def Leppard (His Modified Drum Set, The Accident)|url=https://www.electronicdrumadvisor.com/rick-allen-drummer-def-leppard-one-armed/|last=O'Connor|first=Mike|date=2020-01-14|website=Electronic Drum Advisor|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Allen was married to Stacy Lauren Gilbert from 1991 to 2000. In 1995, he was arrested for spousal abuse and was sentenced to a work crew and ordered to attend [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] meetings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard drummer charged in attack|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/09/Def-Leppard-drummer-charged-in-attack/3197831614400/|website=UPI|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He is married to Lauren Cuggino Monroe, who is also a musician and he has contributed to some of her albums.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Def Leppard News - Rick Allen Produces Wife Lauren Monroe's New Single Give|url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/2016newsfeb88.html|website=Def Leppard Tour History|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He is a [[Veganism|vegan]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20230123000829/https://www.lntvglobal.com/au/article/def-leppard-s-rick-allen-announces-new-vegan-bag-collection/ "Def Leppard's Rick Allen Announces New Vegan Bag Collection"]. lntvglobal.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.</ref>

On the weekend of 12 March 2023, while standing in the parking valet area of the [[Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts|Four Seasons Hotel]] in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], where he was staying for a performance at the [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood]], Allen was attacked by a "[[spring-break]]er" who intentionally ran toward and collided with him, knocking him to the ground. He sustained a head injury. The attacker was apprehended and charged with several crimes.<ref name="St.Martin-20230317">{{cite news |last1=St. Martin |first1=Emily |title=Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen attacked by a spring breaker in Florida |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-03-16/def-leppard-drummer-rick-allen-attacked-florida |access-date=March 17, 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 17, 2023}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{cc}}
*[http://www.rickallen.com RickAllen.com]
*[http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org The Raven Drum Foundation]
*[http://www.defleppard.com/the-band/rick-allen Rick Allen] @ DefLeppard.com

{{Def Leppard}}
{{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Rick}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century English drummers]]
[[Category:Amputee musicians]]
[[Category:Def Leppard members]]
[[Category:English amputees]]
[[Category:English heavy metal drummers]]
[[Category:English rock drummers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Dronfield]]
[[Category:British musicians with disabilities]]
[[Category:English people with disabilities]]