He designed his kit while in hospital. The man is a legend 👍🏻👏👏👏

I think the other big story about it is how his friends STUCK BY HIM. Mad respect for Def Lep for that.

Not only is Rick Allen an amazing drummer, he is an amazing person.

Not only did Rick continue drumming after his accident, he is also an artist, and does lots of charity work. He and his wife are committed to helping others. Mad Respect to him. Rick Allen is a Legendary Human!!!

Much respect for the band who waited for him didn't try to replace him not many would of !! 😄

what he did was amazing, the fact that the rest of the band agreed to put their own careers on hold and WAIT for him to come back and get to the state were he could be their drummer again, speaks a ton about them as human beings.

Even before Rick lost his arm, his drumming was world class. Just listen to the High N' Dry and Pryomania albums. Rick easily outclassed almost every rock drummer of the 80s hair metal era.

He was a very fast drummer when he had both his arms. I grew up listening to them. And his bandmates never gave up on him. Def Leppard its a band that has overcome lots of tragedies, yet they’re still together and performing. They deserve all the respect.

Not only is Rick amazing but, the band waited for him.

I saw them from the 10th row during the Hysteria tour. It was Rick's first tour after the accident. The crowd roared when he walked out and I cried like a baby. Truly an inspiration.

I think it is also a testament to the other band members as well to keep him as the drummer.

Just a moment ago I learned one reason why I’ve always thought Rick Allen had such a baby face. He was only 15 when he became the full-time drummer for Def Leppard! 😳

I believe it was after their successful "Pyromania" album and before they did "Hysteria" which became a multi-platinum smash hit record was when he had a car accident in England with his girlfriend where he lost the arm. The band didn't want to fire him because they were all really close like brothers but were expecting him to give it a shot and then tell them "I can't do it". Instead he designed a kit with a foot pedal to replace the what he played with the left arm. Took him a little while to figure it out but he did it. They had a second drummer early in the Hysteria tour who ultimately quit after a couple shows because he realized Rick was 100% back and didn't need him anymore.

I love Def Leppard because their music rocks, but also because the other members showed so much love for Rick to wait for him so that he could figure out how he would continue on. Not many bands if any would do that. I respect them for that more than you could know.

Robert Plant’s drummer broke his arm during a tour in 1988. He got really depressed. Plant took him to see Def Lepperd. Afterward, they went backstage to talk to the drummer. He asked what had happened to Plants drummers arm. When he was told, he supposedly joked” oh that’s no good....just have it off and be done with it”. Needless to say, it put some perspective into the situation. Good move on Plants part

Chod, you reacted to pour some sugar on me about 3 months ago and in that video he was playing the drums with one arm. Was kinda hard to see I guess cause the camera didn’t stay in him very long. He was self conscious and always wanted the cameras to shoot him from his left side.

He is also in the rock in roll hall of fame

I love how the bass player Rick Savage stands by him and uses the bass to help Rick Allen compensate.

He lost his arm in a car accident on New Years Eve, Dec. 31 1984. At first, he was understandably depressed and wanted to quit playing. But his family and bandmates kept encouraging him...

He learned to use his left leg as his missing arm with a special fitted drum set. He ask the group to let him try to learn how to do this while he was in the hospital and the band agreed. He drum on anything he could find while in the hospital. He didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. What an amazing band, still together today making great music.

A week after the accident Ricks friend, who worked for Ludwig drums came into his hospital room with a prototype to show Rick how he could still drum. The first time the band saw him he was already practicing

They are a great band. They also include a song Switch 625 for Steve Clark every show ,their guitar player who died. ♥️

I'm not sure if my tears were more when he wrecked or when I heard of, and witnessed, the loyalty of the rest of band by valueing him more than the all mighty dollar, and success......probably the most priceless gift that can be bestowed on another.

his band mates supported him big time .

I was at the Monsters Of Rock Festival, Castle Donington in 1986 to see Ozzy, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Motorhead, Bad News & Warlock. I may be wrong, but I think it was Def Leppard's first proper gig since the accident. Rick had Learner Plates all over his kit! They were superb

So glad u saw this!! Rick is truly amazing n inspirational inc helping others n a great artist too. Xxx ♥️ ty for this

Also his band waited for him. There is a VH1 Behind the Music in four parts on KZfaq.

Rick Allen lost his arm when he was 21. He had been with Def Leppard since he was 15. They DEFINITELY weren't gonna leave him behind when he lost his limb. They stayed with him and waited for him to heal. It's beautiful. He still suffers PTSD from the accident to this day, and says drumming is a meditational healing for him.

The greatest story in Rock history. Not only did he come back but that band NEVER gave up on him being their drummer. That is a band!

I LOVED your personal drumming story. Really enjoyed this reaction because of that. I really hope.. Rick Allen sees this post. Would LOVE to hear him comment.. on all your beautiful words .

He even paints his paintings are awesome, he sells his paintings. The guys always say they are a family and that they were 17 and 18 when they started touring. They are always supportive of each other and they call each other out when they get acting in a way that they are not used to. Just like a family if a brother or sister did something unusual the family always puts you in your place. They talk about how they all grew up together and that's what keeps them close and respectful of each other. And that's why they started in 1778 and they are still touring and creating music in 2021. I loved them from the beginning, will always be a Lep fan

Nothing but respect for him and the band who worked with him through it

He has a special designed drum set and learned to use both feet to cover his list arm he is an amazing guy and yes credit to the rest of the band standing behind and with him 🥰

Thank you for such a great reaction because even back in the day this man's story was amazing. So I can only imagine how you feel watching what he can do 30+ years later.

Rick Allen is a great drummer...they call him "The Thunder God"...& he's a really good guy as well...met him on the Hysteria In the Round tour...he was so nice & gracious & has a great sense of humor! Just a great guy!!

The story of Rick wouldn't be complete without his bandmates sticking by him and giving him the time he needed! They're family!!

Grew up with Def Leppard, along with all the other bands of the time. Their stage shows were amazing, giant in the round stage, lazer light show, and Rick's hybrid drum kit of edrum (the original hex shape), acoustic cymbals, and more pedals than Thomas Lang. (drummers will understand) Absolute inspiration, and honestly I think the different kit set up, and the unorthodoxy of its playing actually improved the drum sound and gave them rhythms and feel distinct from other bands. ... On the subject of drummers overcoming obstacles, Yoshiki has had two neck/spine surgeries, is in his 50s (I think) and has made an almost miraculous return to the kit. He's the drummer, and composer of the Japanese band X Japan, probably one of the most influential bands not only for every Japanese musician, but also worldwide (though lesser known. One of those strange dichotomies of the biggest band in the world that you've never heard of) Here's a drum solo, which on its own is a quality drum solo, but given the knowledge that he has had major spinal surgery that he wasn't expected to really recover from, it's exceptional. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mtOcg7GFyte0dIU.html He's also an accomplished pianist, and has had an audience with the Queen. **just a boring bit from here about my own circumstances. Just sharing my story. Nobody needs to read further** He's an inspiration, along with Rick Allen, Roland S Howard (who continued playing live in the final stages of cancer), Jason Becker (who composes music using his eyes in a complex system that has to be seen to be believed. His music career destroyed by ALS, but his determination is just mind blowing), Django Reinhardt (who was an extraordinary guitarist in spite of an injury to his hand that meant he could only use two fingers to play)... And so many more... As I have been bedridden for nearly three years, and out of music for a decade after a debilitating medical treatment that was almost worse than my illness forced me to give up everything, I see these guys, and it gives me the motivation to keep pushing. I'm beginning to record again, getting enough mobility and strength to hold my guitar, and play a small amount of drums... If it wasn't for music, I would have given up. In fact a year ago I did give up... I tried to cripple myself (I damaged my right hand, caused a ganglion cyst to form) just so there would be nothing binding me to this world anymore. But somehow I got through. Clinging to music, clinging to my delusion of one day releasing new work. Music has power... And if it's in you to create , then you have to create or you feel incomplete. This comment is too long... My story is boring. Check out Yoshiki and X Japan. They're most certainly not boring. And keep playing.

ive seen this live and i was blown away, august 14th 2019 in zappos theater planet hollywood i will never forget

I'm very lucky to have seen this Live. What an unbelievable show!

Glad you did this one !

I heard the band tell a story that they arranged a backup drummer to go out on tour with them for the fist live shows after the accident... He walked away saying he was not needed when Rick left it all on the stage. There is a reason he is the Thunder God.

Rick Allen, surpportfrom family and band mates , love and ,dedication and determination.

He’s such a underrated drummer I think he’s awesome

It was reported in an interview just this past week that the electronic drums that Rick Allen used even inspired the legendary Neil Peart(Rush) to add electronic drums to his immense kit.

One of the most amazing stories in rock history. Give to up the band for waiting and giving Rick Allen a chance to comeback.. 35 yrs later the rest is history 🤘… and to YOU bang then drums and create your own beats 💯✌🏼❤️🙏.. you can do it young man ..

Him playing a song is more impressive than simple triplets played here. I am glad he kept playing tho. My favorite albums are their first two.

I started teaching myself to play guitar (life long dream) 2 years ago at 57 and you are right it is something else. My muscle memory is not what it used to be and me teaching myself obviously it’s going to take a really long time but I’m getting ready to retire in a couple years so I don’t really care if I learn all today, tomorrow or five years from now this is what I’m gonna do this is what I’ve always wanted to do and the fact that this man has had one arm all these years and still plays the drums him shows you how much heart he has. I always say to myself I’m not a real good guitar player yet but I suck less today than I did yesterday🥰

An amazing come back. He rocks.

Def Leppard is amazing and shout out to Rick Allen.

he created a thing for one of his feet that takes the place of the other arm. amazing.

Love my Thundergod! ⚡⚡

Here's an old clip from 1987 where Rick is demonstrating how his kit works. It's pretty rad.

a great drummer is a great drummer no matter what

Depression is not nothing, good for you, you made it to the other side❤

He was in a car accident and lost his arm what amazes me is his Band didn’t abandon him, they encouraged him to learn how to play with one arm.

I'm an OG Def Lep fan. I remember when he had his accident. When the album came out afterward, we all collectively shit our pants.

Hey, I have a request for a reaction to an INXS song called The Swing. Fantastic drums on that song and I think you've only done one reaction to INXS. Rick Allen is a beast, but he also had the support if his band, who had no intention of giving up on him. The story is quite inspirational.

And he kept it an incredialble Percussion.

Rick Allen is one of my favorite drummers. Got to meet the band in 2019: super cool guys

Love You..Rick Allen.

My best hard rock drummer

Geez I'm so proud of him.

The boys loved the guy.

Never say never …we all walk life to different beat … find yours and go for a stroll .. ride it to the end 💯.. 1 life do you .. respect n love … H.O.G family love .. 💯❤️✌🏼🙏 to you

In the 80's he used to cook the crew lunch (I was a very rookie cable roller). Good cook but you had to make sure he cleaned his foot. They guy is a god!

I have 1 leg. This guy is a freaking role model!@

Rick is an inspiration ♥️

He has really bad PTSD. His car accident happened in 1983. I have sooo much respect for Rick and his bandmates for waiting for him to come to them to say he can’t do it. But thankfully that never happened. I think he is the greatest drummer of all time. He is also a really good painter. His art sells for thousands of dollars

That’s why Rick Allen is the thunder God!!!!!!

Amazing friends can t beat them kind of friends

Metal af. Rick Allen is my hero.

i’m 49 and have lived my entire life in sheffield 👍 Def Leppard are just one of MANY class bands/artists of ALL musical genres from sheffield 😁.

I think what impresses me most is that, in order to accomplish what he did, he had to RELEARN drumming, because of course he's drumming in a very different (much more bass-heavy) manner. I would imagine that's a lot more challenging that learning in the first place, because first you have to unlearn what you already know. And he was very young at the time (20? 21?) It's an amazing achievement. I meant to mention this on your Genesis video: Phil Collins and Chester Thompson do some completely awesome drum duets.

I’ve seen them 3 times. Once before his accident and twice after and he is INCREDIBLE on those drums! His band mates waited for him to be ready to go again. The band is a group of amazingly talented and loyal guys that deserve the best of everything. 😇

Thank You😎🤙

Thank you for recognizing that he could have let that be a gnarly turning point. he's one of my heroes because he just was like, "nah, this is me"

He still has ptsd from the accident. But says his drumming helps him cope. Like a meditation.

The third big story is how genius it was,for a 21 year old to create that kit.

Watch “Hysteria “ on KZfaq. It’s a movie about their career. Very good movie!

T HATS true friendship!!!

Panorama documentary on Him! An I'm sure theres plenty on him on 'KZfaq' Rick Allen, AMAZING don't even come CLOSE! 😎😆

If I know Rick, he'd just tell you to keep drumming, keep going, keep having fun, it doesn't matter if you sell 50 billion albums or not, just drum for you, be happy when you get better, and just be good at people. Never met a more positive person than Rick, and if he can, anyone can. So yeah, have fun, be good, and have fun. Lol.

❤

Part of the drum kit was made just for him - part of it weather is his left or right feet does what his left arm would be doing

What is the best part is the rest of the band stuck with him and didn't just replace him.

Saw the Defs at St Albans City Hall when Rick was 16/17 and Joe(the eldest) was 18 fairly near the beginning of the NWOBHM..He was terrific...Years later,after Rick's accident,.I remember Joe Elliot saying that in big vast stadiums a lot of the more-subtle drum moves would be lost and reassured Rick that he would be fine with his new set up..he was right

The Thunder God!!!!!!!

SIR--------------ALL RESPECT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND FOR STICKING WITH RICK ----------IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS i HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THESE GUYS; THEY HAVE KNOWN ADVERSITY & YET--------HAVE STUCK TOGETHER. THROUGH THE YEARS. ---------RICK ALLEN IS ' THE THUNDER GOD " ------------------------MJL, 74 Y/O

there are some great videos on him and interviews with him

Dude please help me what song was he drumming to its doing my head in 😩 love the content dude keep up the great work big love from Wales ❤

The band stood by him every step of the way If I remember correctly he wrote a book on how to be a one arm drummer

Rick Allen is a legend.

A Suggestion for a Reaction : Video: Led Zeppelin Live at MSG. Moby Dick !

The guys in the band wouldn't let him quit, if he quit they all quit. They locked him in a room with numerous drum kits. He figured it out and built his own kit that works for him.

Thunder God!

While growing up, Rick Allen listened to many bands + many styles. Even when Rick Allen lost his arm, he saw the glass half full. He rearranged his drumming patterns. Mutt Lange, who plays guitar + bass, saw what Rick Allen can do. Rick Savage synched with RA. Both Mutt + RS urged RA to stay in DL. When RA does not play drums, he paints. 🇬🇧

I just gotta say "damn Phil Collin.

ofc most of us older dudes knew about him like.. forever ;)

He's playing the snare with his left foot .

On the afternoon of December 31 1984, Rick Allen was involved in a car crash, with his then-girlfriend Miriam Barendsen, on the A57 road in the countryside a few miles west of Sheffield in England. A car in front deliberately slowed for Allen to catch up, then sped up if he tried to pass, this went on for a few miles until in frustration, Allen accelerated to finally pass but lost control of the left-hand drive Corvette C4, which hit a dry stone wall and entered a field; his left arm was entangled in the seat-belt and severed, remaining in the car while Allen was flung out. Doctors initially re-attached the arm, but it was later amputated due to an infection. Initially Allen felt 'defeated' but buoyed by 'family, friends and hundreds of thousands of letters from all over the planet' he decided to continue playing drums with Def Leppard, and adopted a specially designed electronic drum kit. The band took a hiatus from onstage performances until August 16 1986, when Allen was able to return to live drumming at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in England. He has since re-adopted partially acoustic drum kits depending on the setting.