Rick Allen

Rick Allen (www.ning.com)

Rick Allen was born November 1st 1963 in Derbyshire, England. He got his first drum set when he was just ten years old like me. After six months of lessons, he joined his first band called Smokey Blue. When he turned 15 he joined the band that would later on make him famous, Def Leppard. Def Leppard consists of, Rick Allen (drums), Rick Savage (bass), Pete Willis (guitar), and Joe Elliot on lead vocals.

Rick is one of my main heroes. The reason he’s my hero is because he’s a one armed drummer! Yes, you heard right, a one armed drummer! He was in a very bad car accident and they had to remove his left arm. Since he only has one arm, he uses pedals to operate some of the drums he can’t hit with his left hand.

Joe developed a way for Rick to play drums with only one arm. Foot pedals trigger the sounds that most drummers make with their left arm. This way, he can play the drums just like normal. It took him a while to get used to, but he learned how and was ready to rock. If somebody went to a Def Leppard concert, it would sound just like he did when he played with two arms!

Rick kept practicing, and practicing. He finally got used to playing with one arm. He plays concerts year round and he plays great. People admire Rick because of how he showed people that nothing can stop him from doing what he loves.

The music of Def Leppard will be heard for a very long time. Even if the band breaks up, they will still be one of the best and most famous bands in the world. Rick Allen will also be known for a very long time. He was in a car accident that took his arm off, and yet, he still does what he loves no matter what.