In March 2023, Def Leppard’s legendary drummer, Rick Allen, was a victim of a surprising and unprovoked assault outside his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hotel. The 61-year-old, who had previously lost one of his arms in a 1984 car accident, was attacked by a stranger who charged at him with full force, knocking him to the ground and causing him to hit his head, resulting in injuries while he was smoking near the hotel entrance.
Now, two years after the shocking incident, Allen is sharing the specifics of the sad episode. In a recent interview, the drummer disclosed that the tragic event left him with a significant psychological trauma that continues to date, hurting his sense of safety and peace of mind.
Rick Allen gives details of the struggles he faces in the wake of his 2023 assault
While making an appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk, Allen revealed that he has been battling some personal struggles, which largely stemmed from his assault incident in Florida.
He explained that the aftermath of the attack has been difficult to navigate, as he now finds it very difficult to be around a lot of people. As a result, Allen has prioritized his well-being by stepping back from some side projects to focus on recovering at home and managing the emotional and physical toll of his ordeal.
Rick Allen says he hopes to recover faster and continue his everyday life
The drummer, who reunited with his Def Leppard bandmates for their stadium tour last summer and is also hoping to participate again in May when the band hits the road, explained that he has tried putting his trauma behind him, but it has been very challenging.
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However, Allen stated that despite the terrifying nature of his experience, as well as the lingering distress, he remains hopeful. “The Thunder God” emphasized his desire to move past the ordeal and regain as much normalcy in his life as possible, given his current circumstances.