Def Leppard drummer uses inspiring comeback to lift others

ABC News’ Phil Lipof sits down with Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and discusses the car accident that took his arm and his continued drumming for the band.

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[clivebennett]

It's a massive credit to the guys who refused to get another drummer and waited for Rick to learn to play again. That's true mates for you

[hugolafhugolaf]

Whether you like Def Leppard or not, they've always said that getting another drummer was never considered, even for a second. Respect.

[ojeffnoyoutube]

He's a great man.
A great drummer.
Rick is a living legend.

[matthewjames]

Rick Allen is an amazing drummer. But moreover, he's an amazing human being. So humble and appreciative. A talented artist, too. An inspiration indeed.

[m.ericwatson]

And band members that didn't leave him behind, almost any band would have found another drummer, and no one could fault them since the show must go on but they refused to continue without Rick on the kit, an amazing story.

[KEEPINGitREAL]

The Hysteria tour was my first concert! And I'll never forget Ricks introduction during the show. Thousands of people screaming and crying, as Rick returned! An unforgettable moment and experience.

[imame]

Men, NEVER apologize for crying. It shows empathy and you care ❤️

[babayaga]

i'm a bass player. i was in a horrible motorcycle crash last year. died. revived. almost had my arm amputated. 4 days on life support. 5 days in a coma. 3 months in a nursing home. going to have a full recovery. all that being said, still not as bad as what rick endured. if he can make it back, I can make it back.

[andrewmachado]

Rick Allen is the phrase “whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” in a nut shell.

[shawncarter]

Rick may or may not be aware that he's been inspiring the heck out of people, without saying a word, since he came back from his accident many, many years ago. His drive and determination to return to drumming, along with his ingenuity and creativity to figure out a way to do so, is one of the most profound "if he can do this, then surely I can do X" stories out there.

[victoriawilliams]

I'll never forget how happy we all were (fans) when we saw videos of Rick playing with the band again after the accident. He's always been one hell of a drummer and a wonderful inspiration. ✌😎🤘

[MrNickKorshunov]

Rick Allen is a Hero with no doubts. He inspires so much people round the world to go beyond limits.

[davidjb]

One of those people he has inspired is me. I became paraplegic last year. Lying on my back in hospital I thought about Rick and what he has achieved. I told the doctors about Rick and they admired our determinations. I’ve made brilliant progress in the last 15 months.

[LoreD]

I remember when the tragic accident happened. It was heartbreaking. Prayed alot for him. Rick is an amazing human being.

[violetblue]

I remember when this happened - a nurse passing by the accident tried to save his arm - many blessings to her 💖
Rick has turned into a Beautiful person - Much Love ❣️

[zolitariglussey]

Def Leppard is actually a band of caring souls, thats why unlike other failed bands they have stood the test of time...

[thundergodfan]

Seriously who in right mind would give this a thumbs down?? Rick and Lauren are an inspiration!

[oneworldfamily]

Credit to Rick who is always the perfect gentleman in interviews. He must have told this story over 100 times, yet he still tells it to the listener as if it was one of the first.

[michaeljustice]

I remember when that accident happened in the 80’s. When he returned to the band people were such A-holes about it. They called him a freak show, they mocked him for using pedals to assist him which his drumming. He even committed on it in some interviews. He took it all in stride and soldered on. It’s nice to see him get some recognition for it!

[jariaura]

I have always felt a big respect for the band as well. They were heading to the top of their career back in the day when the accident happened and they could simply find a skilled drummer and record their upcoming album without taking the risk of being forgotten. They chose to stand by their bandmate instead, and they waited for him to recover and to adapt to the new circumstances even though it took four years. They finally put out Hysteria in 1987, which became a huge success. To me, this is the most deserved album succes ever in the history of Rock'n'Roll even only for that reason, although it is also a fantastic album in the musical sense.