Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Speaks Out After Attack in Florida
Written by Logan Phillips on March 21, 2023
Rick Allen, Drummer of Def Leppard, has spoken publicly for the first time since he suffered a head injury during a violent attack outside a south Florida hotel.
Allen was enjoying an off night after a Def Leppard performed in Hollywood, FL. on March 12. While having a cigarette outside of the Four Seasons hotel, Allen who lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984 was allegedly ambushed by 19-year-old Max Edward Hartley and knocked to the ground. A police report stated that Allen hit “his head on the ground causing injury” as a result of the assault.
the 59-year-old drummer took to social media to thank his fans. “Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support,” Allen recently tweeted, giving his first official statement since the attack. “Your love and prayers are truly helping. My wife Lauren was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident. We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space.”
“We are focusing on healing for everyone involved,” the drummer continued. “We ask you to join us in our effort to move from confusion and shock to compassion and empathy. We understand this act of violence can be triggering for so many people.”
Allen continued has continued to praise everyone who has helped him and offered their support this week.
“To all of the fans, veterans, and first responders in our global community we are thinking of you all,” he noted. “Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times.”
Max Edward Hartley, 19, has since been charged with battery in the case.
