Def Leppard News - DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Says RICK ALLEN's Drumming Is Pretty Amazing

home > def leppard news >

Sunday, 7th July 2019

Prev | Next

DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Says RICK ALLEN's Drumming Is Pretty Amazing

Screenshot

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen has been interviewed by French TV and mentioned Rick's drumming.

Phil spoke to CSTAR TV of France to promote the 2019 European tour.

Tne interview was likely recorded backstage at the recent Hellfest festival in Clisson, France.

Phil talked about the term heavy metal, Rick Allen's drumming, living in America, his views on Brexit and success.

Watch the full 3 minute interview video below.

Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).

CSTAR - Phil Collen Interview Quotes - (Transcribed by dltourhistory)

Are you Heavy Metal?

"Yeha we're just a rock band really. You know Metallica's a metal band. We're not like that at all. I mean it;s very different to that. So are AC/DC they're not a metal band, you know, they're kind of. They're a rock band. The Who is a rock band. You know what I mean, it's different."

Rick Allen's Drumming

"Our producer said Ricky you haven't gotta stop playing drums just do it electronically. You know so when I saw Rick he was (hits cushion) in a hospital bed. You know and then from that he just practised every day and got this new equipment and it's pretty amazing."

"So it was just up to him you know he had a lot of ambition and drive. He just did not wanna give up. So that was good you know."

Prefer Living In Los Angeles To England?

"Absolutely. I grew up in England and I really got to hate English weather. More than anything else. I know it sounds shallow, but that is it. For me it was the weather. It made me feel depressed all the time. ."

His Views On Brexit

"I think it's a big mistake leaving the European Union. My biggest problem is the fact that the people who, mainly who benefit from it are people who do investments. Get all the money and then take it out of Europe altogether or England. So I think that's my problem with it. I think the economy will suffer. You know Britain's economy."

Success

"You can never take it easy. Even when you have success. You can't take your foot off. You have to work harder and harder and harder. And there's so much competition, you know, especially with youth. You know younger bands or younger artists. Or younger things, different things. So you gotta be really spectacular. We've got better every year. Our singing gets better every year. Our playing gets better and so I think you have to put that into practice otherwise it'll just go away. I'm 61 and I would never ever have believed or dreaming of doing something like this. And especially at that level you know being able to play like this and sing like this. It's great. I never thought I'd be able to do that."