March 2022 Nonconformist of the Month - Rick Allen
The British band Def Leppard is known world-wide for their rock-pop songs that were primarily popular in the 1980’s. Their two most popular albums, Pyromania and Hysteria, have sold 10 million and 12 million copies to date in the U.S. alone. They gained world-wide fame with Pyromania which was released in 1983 and that fame grew to almost mass hysteria (pun intended) with the 1987 release of the album Hysteria. That album went on to sell more than 20 million copies worldwide and made Def Leppard and household name. That album almost didn’t happen due to several setbacks, the most notable being the one suffered by their drummer, Rick Allen.
Rick Allen started playing drums at age 9 and not only loved it but was so good he started playing in bands within a couple of years. When he was 14, his mother replied to an ad on his behalf from a local Sheffield band that was looking for a new drummer. Rick Allen joined Def Leppard on his 15th birthday, November 1, 1978. By the time he was 21 he was a multi-millionaire and had toured the world due to the success of the Pyromania album.
When the band came off the tour for a holiday break in late 1984, Rick bought himself a new Corvette. One day he was driving on a country road at a high rate of speed and missed a curve in the road. As the car rolled into a field, the seatbelt came undone as Rick was thrown out of the car through the sunroof. This severed his left arm and left his other arm broken. The medical team re-attached his left arm, but it had to be amputated due to severe infection that could have been fatal.
The loss of a limb would be devastating for anyone, but for a world-famous drummer, it could have meant an end to his career. The band could have replaced him. He could have given up. Neither of these things happened. The other members of the band allowed Rick the time he needed to heal and gain perspective on his injury. They never kicked him out of the band but continued to write songs with the intention of him deciding in what capacity he would return to the band. Meanwhile Rick found that his body was learning to compensate for his missing limb, and he was able to start practicing his playing in his hospital bed. He used a piece of foam and noticed that his left leg started to take over at times when he would have used his left arm.
With encouragement from the other band members and from their producer, Rick found the strength and determination to not only recover, but to return to playing drums in Def Leppard. He hired a team of engineers who helped him create a set of foot pedals for his left foot, which would replace what his left arm would normally do. With practice, Rick Allen re-learned to play drums after losing his left arm. The band was finally able to record Hysteria, which was released in 1987 and became their biggest album to date. The band went on their most extensive tour ever and Rick Allen received standing ovations and roof raising cheers wherever they went. He was given the nickname “The Thunder God.”
Today, he still plays with Def Leppard and still gets standing ovations wherever he goes. He is also considered one of the best drummers in the world. He has become a well-known multi-media artist as well and signs his paintings by applying paint from the palm of his right hand. Some of the proceeds of his art go to fund his charity which helps veterans who have lost limbs, have suffered head injuries, and have PTSD. He makes personal appearances at his art shows and at support groups for veterans. All these years later, he reflects back on his injury with grace and humility.
Rick Allen experienced one of the most devastating events anyone could imagine, and instead of giving up and allowing it to end his career, he used it to persevere. Rick Allen is not just a world-famous rock drummer. He is an inspiration to millions and a hero. That is why he is this month’s nonconformist of the month.