Sunday, 1st November 2015
Pic by Chele Drappel
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen celebrates his 52nd birthday today whilst on a break from the 2015 world tour.
Rick joined the band on 27th November 1978 after responding to a story in a local newspaper titled "Leopard Loses Skins". He has now been a member for 36 years.
His first appearance on a record was a 1978 EP by The Johnny Kalendar Band which featured three cover songs.
12 years ago Rick's 40th birthday was celebrated in London, England and the crowd (including me) sang Happy Birthday in the video shown below.
Also shown below is a thank you note written by Rick to fans in the Spring 1985 fan club newsletter after he returned to the band following his 31st December 1984 car accident.
Listen to some of Rick's past solo guest appearances with two other bands from the 90s and 2000s.
Listen to Rick talking about his first band Grad in - August 2015
2013 Photo Gallery - Rick Allen aka Camp Out
Rick Allen Thank you note - From 1985 Fan Club Newsletter
"Hello there,
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to the many people who wrote to me whilst in hospital, I must say that the letters & cards were a great comfort to me, and made my stay in hospital much more bearable.
As for the future Def Leppard will carry on as before, and when the next album is complete we shall be back on the road ASAP.
I've recently been working with my new drum kit, and so far everything is going really well, thanks for all your support, and I'll look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Sincerely, Rick Allen."
- Def Leppard - Rick Allen Section
- Previous News - 27th October 2015