Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen has said that he still has some issues resulting from the assault he suffered in 2023 outside a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Allen said, "I've been going through some challenging times, kind of related to what happened in Florida. So, I've been trying to deal with that the best that I can, and really I just needed to take a break from some of the side projects that I was busy with, just so I could spend more time at home."
One of those side projects is attending exhibitions of his art, which he was slated to do on the Monsters of Rock Cruise last month but he decided pull out of the event.
"I did go out and I did a cruise, and I realized that I was finding it difficult to be around a lot of people like that. And so I decided, 'You know what, Rick? Don't try and bite off more than you can chew. Just deal with this, deal with what's in front of you. Spend as much time as you need to at home.'"
It's 94 HJY's Kevin here. As a (very mediocre) drummer myself, I hold Rick Allen in very high esteem talent-wise, pre- and post-accident, when he tragically lost his arm on Dec. 31, 1984. The guy's been through a hell of a lot of challenges in life and risen above them. And I will always LOVE the fact that Def Leppard stood by him after his tragic car accident until he could re-invent his ability to play drums, which he still does REALLY damn well...