Def Leppard drummer breaks silence after violent attack

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Rick Allen, 59, suffered a head injury after being attacked by a teenager on March 13. The one-armed drumming extraordinaire has now spoken up, giving an update on his own health and making a request of his international fanbase.

On March 13, the Def Leppard drummer was having a cigarette outside of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach, a day after the band had performed in the area.

19-year-old Max Hartley allegedly attacked the drummer, running full speed at Rick and knocking him to the ground.

The unsuspecting drummer struck his head as he fell backwards onto the pavement during the alleged attack.

Now the star has released a statement to ABC News assuring fans that he is in recovery.

He shared: “Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping.

“My wife Lauren was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident.

“We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space.

“We ask you to join us in our effort to move from confusion and shock to compassion and empathy.

“We understand this act of violence can be triggering for so many people. To all of the fans, veterans, and first responders in our global community, we are thinking of you all.

“Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times.”

According to a police report obtained by Deadline, a woman who witnessed the incident came out of the hotel to help Rick and was also knocked to the ground by the teenager, who proceeded to drag her back inside by her hair.

Max then ran to a different hotel where he allegedly damaged a number of cars in the parking garage.

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Deadline reported that Rick and his assailant had not previously met, and the Ohio teenager was in Florida on spring break.

The outlet noted that Max has been arrested and charged with two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief and abusing an elderly or disabled adult.

Def Leppard had been performing in Florida on March 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino alongside Mötley Crüe.

Rick is known as one of the most innovative drummers in modern music.

The drummer first joined Def Leppard when he was 15, celebrating his 16th birthday by opening for AC/DC at the Hammersmith Odeon.

However, in 1984 when the musician was 21 he lost his left arm in a brutal car crash just outside of Sheffield.

He recalled the grim incident in BBC’s Fighting Back in 1992 saying: “I left the car and landed in a field, and I think my arm was left in the car.”

Determined to continue with his passion for music, Rick crafted a specialised drum kit, customised to his needs, with his left foot taking over most of the pieces he used to play with his left arm and has been an integral part of the award-winning band ever since.

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