Rick Allen

OVERCOMING THE ODDS Rick Allen.  This Overcoming the Odds article is about Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen. Def Leppard is not one of my favorite bands but I have a Huge Amount of Respect for them especially Rick Allen. Here's why!! On 31 December 1984, Allen (21 years old) was involved in a driving accident. He was driving with his girlfriend Miriam Barendsen around Sheffield to show her the beautiful countryside. It was on a sunny morning when they left. While trying to pass another car at high speeds, he lost control of his Corvette C4, which hit a brick wall and entered a field. He was thrown from the car, with his left arm severed because the seat belt was not properly fastened. His girlfriend was lucky enough to just have some bruising, but was in a state of shock. Doctors initially reattached Allen's arm but, because of infection, it had to be removed. His right shoulder was also severely broken in the accident.

Despite this, Allen was able to put together a drum kit that enabled him to play with just one arm He could still play some drum rhythms with one hand and use his left leg to play the snare drums. He has remained the Drumer of the band ever since. This is a feat which has never been duplicated. Rick Allen The One Armed Drummer Overcame the Odds.