Rick Allen > Personal Information

Born -- Friday 1st November 1963 in Dronfield, Derbyshire, England.

Full Name -- Richard John Cyril Allen.

Nickname -- Rick, The Thundergod.

Family -- Parents - Mother Kath/Father Geoff.

Family -- Older Brother Robert (ex-Lep road manager now with Tim McGraw).

Family -- Wife Lauren Monroe.

Family -- Daughter Lauren Shane (from previous marriage to Stacy).

Current Home -- California, USA.

School -- Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School, England.

Food -- Rick has been a vegan vegetarian since the early 80s after his accident, whilst recovering in hospital. This was inspired by producer Mutt Lange who arranged for Indian cooks to prepare his meals.

First Bands -- Glad, Smokey Blue, Rampant, The Johnny Kalendar Band.

Other Bands -- Has produced and played drums on the debut album by his current wife Lauren Monroe as well as performing with her at gigs in California.

Charity Work -- In 2001 Rick and his wife Lauren set up the charitable foundation Raven Drum. They aim to educate and empower individuals and communities through healing arts programs, drumming events and colloborative partnerships. Rick attends many of their drum circle events when not playing live or recording with Def Leppard.

Influences -- Queen, Aerosmith, Marc Bolan, Led Zeppelin.

Writing Credits -- Rick is not a major song contributor in the band but has received credits for certain songs like 'Lady Strange' (1981), 'I Wanna Touch U' (1992) and 'Burnout' (1999). He was named as co-writer on 12 tracks on the 2002 album "X", as were all of the band. These included the UK bonus track 'Kiss The Day'.

Accident -- Rick lost his left arm in a car crash on New Year's Eve 1984. He was driving his then girlfriend to the Ladybower Reservoir near Sheffield when he was involved in an accident along the A57 road. After hitting a stone wall and rolling the car the seatbelt took his arm off as he was pushed out of the sunroof. After only six weeks in hospital he rejoined the band and by August 1986 was back drumming on stage on his own. He returned to the UK for a triumphant gig at the 1986 Monsters Of Rock festival in Castle Donington. A year later 'Hysteria' was released and Rick has been playing drums on his unique electronically enhanced drum kit ever since.

Donington 2009 -- On 14th June 2009 Def Leppard returned to Donington Park 23 years after the famous 1986 show. Rick recieved another introduction from Joe Elliott on stage during an emotional and equally triumphant show.