DEF LEPPARD's RICK ALLEN Gives Emotional Interview About Florida Attack (Video)

Monday, 22nd May 2023

Rick Allen

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen gave an emotional interview earlier today about the recent attack in Florida on Good Morning America.

Rick was attacked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on the 13th March following the band's show in Hollywood the night before.

He issued a brief statement at the time and has now spoken about the incident to ABC News correspondent Phil Lipof.

Rick appeared in a short 3 minute segment on Good Morning America earlier today on ABC TV.

The interview was shot at Rick's home and also features his wife Lauren.

Read the full transcript of the emotional interview below as Rick describes what happened and how he has recovered at home before rejoining the band.

Rick made his first social media post since this incident on 19th March and thanked fans for their support.

He has of course now joined the rest of the band again in the UK for their many appearances and promo ahead of The World Tour resuming tomorrow night in Sheffield.

Both Sav and Joe showed their support for Rick at his first full gig back on Friday with Sav taking to the mic after Switch 625 ("Rick Allen everybody!") and Joe kissing him on the cheek after the show ended.

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).

Rick Allen/Good Morning America - 22nd May 2023 Interview Quotes

Host - Rick Allen is a rock icon. Fans call him The Thundergod. Drumming for almost 40 years with just one arm. So he knows how to overcome adversity. And that skill was put to the test again by that violent assault while on tour.

Host - But this morning Rick Allen is recovering and sitting down for his only interview since being attacked in March following the band's show in Fort Lauderdale.

Rick Allen

"I heard a couple of steps and then I just saw this dark sort of flash. And the next thing I knew I was on the ground."

"I landed on my backside. And then continued on, hit my head on the pavement."

Host - Stunned Rick, who famously lost his arm in a car crash in the 80s, says it happened fast

Rick Allen

"I reached my hand up into the air. 'Cause I thought I was gonna get attacked again."

"And I just said I am no threat to you."

"I don't think he knew who I was. But he must have seen that I wasn't a threat because, you know, I've only got one arm."

Host - In paid Rick immediately drew from what he learned while recovering from that car crash. So in a way you were almost better prepared for this than you were for the accident?.

Rick Allen

"Absolutely. Absolutely hundred percent."

Host - Rick's wife Lauren a big part of that.

Lauren Monroe

"My heart just completely sank. Everything stopped in the house and focussed on him."

Rick Allen

"I immediately went to that place of just of just feeling grateful for the fact that I have an amazing wife."

"And an incredible family."

"I just started just thanking, yeah, started thanking a higher power for the fact that I'm still here."

Host - Rick and Lauren understand trauma. They created the Raven Drum Foundation in 2001. The goal to help trauma survivors especially veterans and first responders, With a focus on physical as well as mental health.

Lauren Monroe

"Take the how, how did this happen to me? 'cause we can't answer that question."

"We take out why did this happen to me. We can't answer that question either."

"And we focus on what is right now."

Host - For Rick part of recovering is playing the drums. And this weekend two months after the attack back in Sheffield, England. Not far from where he lost his arm almost 40 years ago. the perfect spot for yet another chance to show the world and himself what resilience looks like.

Rick Allen

"I know that I'm not gonna be playing music in a band forever."

"But while I am I plan on making as many people as happy as I possibly can."

"This is my opportunity."

"If only we could view other things in that way. You know we're only here for a limited time."

Host - Beautiful sentiment and a wonderful way to think about it.

Read more mor aboiut this interview on the ABC website.

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Def Leppard 2023.

Def Leppard - The World Tour 2023 Dates

May

Mon May 22, 2023 Sheffield, England @ Bramall Lane - (w/ VIVAS)
Thu May 25, 2023 Mönchengladbach, Germany @ SparkassenPark Mönchengladbach
Sat May 27, 2023 Munich, Germany @ Koenigsplatz (King's Square)
Mon May 29, 2023 Budapest, Hungary @ MVM Dome (Budapesti Multifunkcionális Sportcsarnok)
Wed May 31, 2023 Krakow, Poland @ Tauron Arena Krakow

June

Fri Jun 2, 2023 Prague, Czech Republic @ Prague Rocks *
Sat Jun 3, 2023 Hannover, Germany @ Expo Plaza
Wed Jun 7, 2023 Solvesborg, Sweden @ Sweden Rock Festival *
Fri Jun 9, 2023 Hyvinkää, Finland @ RockFest *
Sun Jun 11, 2023 Trondheim, Norway @ Trondheim Rocks (Bryggeribyen EC Dahls Arena) *
Wed Jun 14, 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark @ COPENHELL *
Fri Jun 16, 2023 Clisson/Val de Moine, France @ HELLFEST (Main Stage 1) *
Sun Jun 18, 2023 Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting *
Tue Jun 20, 2023 Milan, Italy @ Ippodromo del Galoppo di San Siro
Fri Jun 23, 2023 Lisbon, Portugal @ Passeio Marítimo de Algés
Sat Jun 24, 2023 Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain @ Auditorio Miguel Ríos
Tue Jun 27, 2023 Thun, Switzerland @ Stockhorn Arena - (w/ Europe)

July

Sat Jul 1, 2023 London, England @ Wembley Stadium - (w/ Mammoth WVH)
Sun Jul 2, 2023 Lytham/Lytham St. Annes, England @ Lytham Festival (Lytham Green) * - (w/ VIVAS)
Tue Jul 4, 2023 Dublin/Rathfarnham, Ireland @ Marlay Park - (w/ Mammoth WVH)
~~Thu Jul 6, 2023 Glasgow, Scotland @ Hampden Park~~ - VENUE CHANGED
Thu Jul 6, 2023 Glasgow, Scotland @ Glasgow Green - (w/ Mammoth WVH)

August

Saturday, August 5th, 2023 Syracuse, NY @ JMA Wireless Dome
Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 Columbus, OH @ Ohio Stadium
Friday, August 11th, 2023 Fargo, ND @ Fargodome
Sunday, August 13th, 2023 Omaha, NE Charles Schwab Field Omaha
Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 Tulsa, OK @ Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium
Friday, August 18th, 2023 El Paso, TX @ Sun Bowl Stadium

* = Festival.

Def Leppard World Tour 2023

Def Leppard 2023.