Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen assault update: Recovery interview

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen says he was left blind after being attacked outside his South Florida hotel after a concert earlier this year.

Allen, 59, told ABC TV: “I heard a few steps and then I saw this[flash]and then I realized I was on the ground.” Good morning, America ” he said in an interview broadcast on Monday. “I landed on my butt and hit my head on the pavement.”

On March 13, Def Leppard was attacked while taking a smoking break outside the hotel while in Fort Lauderdale to perform at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Police arrested Max Hartley, 19, of Avon, Ohio, and pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault and four counts of criminal mischief, according to court records. Police said they have not identified a motive.

“I don’t think he knew who I was, but he must have known I wasn’t a threat because I only have one arm,” said Allen, who lost his left arm in a car accident. said. in 1984.

A police report said Hartley was hiding behind a pillar outside the hotel when he ran towards Allen and slammed him to the ground. A woman who tried to help her Allen was also attacked, but she was not seriously injured.

Police said Hartley then ran to another hotel and started breaking the car window, but was stopped by a witness and police arrived.

Hartley’s attorney, Kevin Gardiner, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the case on Monday.

Allen, who hit his head on the ground during the attack, told Good Morning America along with his wife, Lauren Monroe, that he was focused on his recovery.

“My heart has completely sunk into me. I know a traumatic journey. Everything stopped in our house and the focus was on him,” Monroe said. I was.

The couple founded the Ravendrum Foundation in 2001 to support trauma survivors, especially veterans and first responders.

Allen and his bandmates played a small venue in their hometown of Sheffield, England, on Friday ahead of the start of their European tour.

“I know I’m not going to play music in a band forever,” Allen said. “But I’m going to make as many people happy as I can. And this is my time. This is my chance.”