Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Opens Up About Ongoing Struggles After Shocking Florida Attack

Rick Allen, iconic drummer for Def Leppard, is still fighting through the emotional aftermath of a shocking attack that happened two years ago outside a Florida hotel.

During a recent interview, Allen, 61, admitted that his life hasn't returned to normal since that night. He confessed, "I’ve been going through some challenging times, kind of related to what happened in Florida." Allen explained that the incident forced him to take a break from several side projects so he could focus on his recovery and spend more time at home.

Looking ahead to Def Leppard's stadium tour this summer, Allen said, "Hopefully I can put it all behind me and I can just kind of get back to as normal as I could possibly be given the circumstances. But that was very traumatic for me, and yeah, it’s been difficult. But hopefully I can put it behind me soon."

The harrowing event occurred back in March 2023. Allen was in Fort Lauderdale for a concert, taking a smoke break outside the Four Seasons when a 19-year-old, Max Hartley, allegedly ambushed him. According to police reports, Hartley knocked Allen to the ground, causing him to hit his head and sustain injuries.

The violence didn’t stop there. A woman who tried to help Allen was also attacked and dragged by her hair. Hartley was later arrested after being spotted damaging vehicles in a nearby parking garage. He faced several charges, including four felony counts of criminal mischief, misdemeanor battery, and aggravated battery. Talk about a Florida crime story that reads like a fever dream.

Allen, well-known for overcoming adversity after losing his left arm in a 1984 car accident, expressed gratitude to fans for their support. "Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping," he wrote on X.

He also clarified that his wife, Lauren, wasn't with him during the attack and that they’re now focusing on healing together. "We are focusing on healing for everyone involved," Allen added, asking the public to move forward with compassion and empathy in the wake of the violence.