Who doesn't know Rick Allen, this talented musician who hasn't given up on his passion even after amputating one arm? Now all the drummer's fans bow before his love for music and courage.
Biography
Rick Allen was born in November 1963. This significant event took place in the city of Dronfield in the UK. WITH early years Rick was passionate about music in all its manifestations, drums in particular. But at first, the talented boy had to play only with the help of his mother's kitchen tools.
When Rick was ten years old, he convinced his mom and dad to buy and his parents granted his wish by buying an excellent quality instrument. Rick Allen immediately promised to return half the cost of the installation as soon as he could achieve the proper level of skill.
The guy was very successful. Already after 6 months of shock home training, he began to play in the Smokey Blue team. Later, Rick Allen replaced several other bands, including the Johnny Kalendar Band and Rampant.
The turning point in the life of the drummer came when he was 15 years old. It was then that he decided to become a member of the Def Leppard team. And a year later, the guy dropped out of school to pursue his musical career exclusively.
At the same time, the first concerts of the group began, one of which was dedicated to the guy's next birthday.
Def Leppard's first album was recorded on March 14, 1980. After this point, Rick Allen, along with the rest of the members musical group, began to actively go on tour. At first these were performances within the country, a little later they were replaced by world tours.
The drummer loses his hand
In 1984, the musician was in a car accident with his girlfriend Miriam. It happened on December 31, when a driver drove onto the road, preventing the drummer from passing safely. This man provoked Alain to overtake. But having increased speed, Rick could not notice the turn in time, after which vehicle crashed into the wall.
Since the drummer did not fasten his seat belt in advance, when he collided with an obstacle, he was thrown out of the car, and his left arm was torn off. The nurse, who lived near the crash site, managed to keep the limb alive until the ambulance arrived, and provided first aid to Rick Allen. But all these efforts did not save his left hand, after several unsuccessful operations, he said goodbye to her.
The life of a musician after the accident
Blood poisoning has become a key reason for the amputation of the hand. But Rick Allen is a drummer who, despite severe depression, did not give up and overcame a lot of difficulties awaiting him. He did not finish his musical career, and having recovered mentally and physically, he was able to go further towards the goal and remained an active member of the Def Leppard group.
And in 2003, the drummer married a second time to Lauren Monroe, with whom he still lives. Recall that Rick Allen has a daughter from his first marriage.
Art exhibition by drummer Def Leppard
Last year, the Wentworth Gallery proudly presented the musician's work in a series called "Rick Allen: Icons and Angels" at one of the New Jersey branches. Works legendary drummer could be seen not only at the opening in Short Hills, but also in Philadelphia, Atlanta and South Florida.
This series includes forty-five works, including light productions, paintings and photographs by Rick. The author of the works also visited her and spoke a little about the history of the works.
From each work sold at this exhibition, part of the funds was deducted for charitable purposes, and all buyers were able to receive a Purple Heart medal hand-signed by Rick Allen. Such an award is usually given to soldiers who were injured or died due to the attacking actions of the enemy camp.
Rick Allen was born on November 1, 1963 in Dronfield, UK. Ever since childhood future musician got into playing the drums. At the age of ten, he persuaded his parents to buy drum set and began to work hard. Six months later he was playing with his first band, Smokey Blue.
At 15, Allen joined Def Leppard, just before the band signed. In 1979, he decided to drop out of school to pursue a full-time musical career.
Rick Allen began learning to play the drums and quickly made progress. Literally six months later - after intensive studies - the aspiring musician began to play as part of his first band - Smokey Blue. He later played with several other bands, including Rampant and the Johnny Kalendar Band.
When Rick was fifteen years old, in his life came crucial moment. It was at this time that Rick began his career as a member of Def Leppard. In 1979, Allen decided to drop out of school in order to focus entirely on his musical career.
Around the same period of time, the team began to give the first concerts. One of them was at the Hammersmith Odeon, where Allen and his fellow musicians played to celebrate Rick's sixteenth birthday.
On March 14, 1980, the first album by Def Leppard. From that moment on, Rick Allen and his teammates began to actively tour - first around the country, and then around the world.
On December 31, 1984, Rick Allen and his girlfriend Miriam were in a serious car accident. The driver of another car stopped him from passing, trying to provoke Allen into a speed match. Unable to stand it, the musician increased speed and did not notice the turn in time, crashing into the wall. The steering wheel in Allen's car was on the left, which was inconvenient when overtaking, given the left-hand traffic adopted in the UK.
Since the musician was not wearing a seatbelt, he was thrown out of the car upon impact, while Rick's left arm was torn off. A nearby nurse managed to provide Allen with first aid and save his severed arm until the ambulance arrived. Despite the efforts of doctors and several operations, the musician still lost his arm.
Despite the sea of difficulties, Rick succeeded - he not only recovered physically and mentally, but also continued his musical career in the group. Currently, Rick Allen is still the drummer for Def Leppard.
Rick Allen married Lauren Monroe in 2003. This is his second marriage. From his first marriage, the musician has a daughter
in short, they play something like metal (in short, I don’t know what the style is called._) it’s not crazy metal yet, but it’s not classic hard rock either.
The guy seemed to have been playing in their group for 17 years already. And then he got into a car accident. He lost his arm. Now his set is semi-acoustic and half electronic. .All in all ordinary person unlikely to be useful.
By the way, in connection with the electronic installation of the installation, their sound has become quite poppy.
10.07.06 22:39:42
Philip, I’m really afraid to make a mistake, but my boss just loves def leppard (or thinks he loves it). He brought a DVD with some kind of not very ancient concert. And it seemed to me that I saw the pads. Yes, actually, how else then? And the sound is heard electronic. So, most likely, I said correctly.
But in general, the topic was already like that. To be honest, you can just say "respect". How would he be a "different" drummer. Outside the musical law, as they say. Seriously, you can't take him seriously anyway.
10.07.06 23:53:21
Well, there is nothing to have fun either. All this is sad. It's like one person was showing me an amateur video of a one-armed bass player. And admired. Plays with actual tapping. He doesn't have a right hand.
Well, yes, for a one-armed bass player - cool. But for a musician and music in general - sorry - no.
11.07.06 00:53:14
Off topic, but ... The famous Brazilian football player Garrinchi had one leg shorter than the other by 4 cm. He was also told "quit this thing, boy - you have nothing to do in football."
Now on the topic - Beethoven went deaf, continued to compose music! And according to your logic, guys, he shouldn't have done this - they say what a deaf person can compose ...
11.07.06 01:27:54
your football player still had a leg.))
yes, this is not even a conversation about that. God forbid any of us lose a limb or get some kind of injury. But still, a sabzh drummer is already a drummer in himself. is learning to write the alphabet from an Arab. This drummer has a different technique now. He plays with his feet. But I personally don’t need it. He plays, and plays for himself. disturbed "never. Neither the drummer, neither before nor after the accident. Don't take it for a cynic.
11.07.06 01:37:55
I've never been a Leppard fan either. But... If Rick Allen had been bankrupt as a musician, he would hardly have continued to work in the group after the car accident - in the cruel world of "clean and profit" charity is not worth it. And in confirmation of this: Rick Allen records with ONE HAND, works concerts, etc., and thousands of two-armed drummers who are not without abilities spend their lives in offices (at best), cursing the "damned scoop" ...
11.07.06 02:08:59
I agree with Enik69 - he wasn't fired, so he's doing it right. And the fact that he found the strength to continue on is an unrealistic respect, the fact that he built his set in such a way that he could play with one hand is also respect. Many two-armed and two-legged drummers play in such a way that you start to yawn, not everyone can learn. Yes, you can treat his game and technique as you like, but he remained true to his work - this cannot be taken away. Too many drummers achieve neither excellence nor fame. So, because of this, you should not play drums at all, or what?
Z.Y. I am very interested in auto racing and will tell a story. A few years ago, racing driver Alex Zanardi lost both legs in an accident. As soon as he recovered, he immediately began to look for racing series where he could compete and found it. Of course, his technique is different now, part of the control is thrown over his hands - but he drives and this is the most important thing for him! And it drives pretty fast.
11.07.06 06:40:37
Respect to you, because without too much pathos, you got it, what is the post about. Right. This is not an example of imitation in terms of technique and craftsmanship. This is an example of imitation in the sense of will and character.
P.S.
By the way, for Def Leppard this is, in some way, a commercial move. Many people know them as "a band with a one-armed drummer!!!".
Yes, unfortunately this also happens.
11.07.06 07:41:52
Enik69- about "offices" - to the point!
but, indeed, the social moment should not be omitted either. It just so happens that two-armed people also need to think about how to feed their families and themselves.
11.07.06 12:43:36
People look at the "Vizualis" DVD there's a Rick Allen set up in the live performances and the videos are quite visible. Often this is DW with 7 and 5 series of hardware, unfortunately I don’t know about electronics. Such a will to live and to music!
Drummer Ruslan Nurislamov tying sticks to stumps
The rehearsal of the Zlatoust rock band Maybe begins almost the same as the rehearsals of hundreds of other groups. Someone fiddles with wires, someone adjusts the bass. But there is something in this ritual that you will not find anywhere else. The guitarist helps the drummer to wind the sticks ... to the stumps. Maybe drummer Ruslan Nurislamov has only forearms. He is the only armless drummer in the country.
First you need to put a piece of cotton wool and wrap a layer of adhesive tape, - he explains, - otherwise the sticks rub a lot. I used to beat it into the blood, after each rehearsal I had to be treated for a long time.
Then the guy puts on special holders. Bandmates sewed stick pockets onto their roller skating knee pads. Another layer of adhesive tape to secure the structure and you can proceed. Although the name of the group is romantic, they are shy. The drummer enthusiastically beats on membranes and cymbals. But after a couple of songs, the sweat pours from him as if the guy had just come out of the rain.
We haven’t rehearsed for a long time, - breathing heavily, the musician justifies himself. - He lost his form.
Ruslan lost his arms when he was only 4 years old. Drunken electricians forgot to close the transformer box, which the children immediately climbed into. Ruslan grabbed the wires, and he was shocked with a voltage of six thousand volts. Doctors fought for the boy's life for several months, performed two operations. But they couldn't save their hands.
Now Ruslan is 23, he has learned to manage everything without hands. Knows how to write, graduated from high school and college. He eats with a spoon between his stump. Deftly managed with a mobile phone.
I just don’t know how to tie my shoelaces,” he laughs. - I even learned to drive a car, but they don’t allow me to take my driving license. If God left me alive after this, then you need to live to the fullest.
Ruslan has been a fan of rock music since school. Like many boys, he dreamed of making his own group. Four years ago, Ruslan came to the Gaidarovets Art House and sat down at the drum kit.
When such guys come to us, we do not refuse them, - says the teacher Yuri Abdullin, - they are very hardworking and persistent. If they see that something is starting to work out for them, it is like a straw for them. Ruslan at first played with one stick, pinched it and beat it. He was doing great, and he switched to two sticks. Although their group is a beginner, they play better than many.
Music and friends in the group do not let me go crazy, - Ruslan admits, - when we perform, there is such an adrenaline rush that I don’t feel any pain or fatigue. Closer and dearer guys I have no one.
A sociable and full of energy guy is not hired, although he has enough strength for three. A talented guy needs to move forward, buy titanium sticks, they are lighter and more convenient, order special prostheses for them. But the guys do not despair and are sure that glory will come to them. They already had several concerts in Zlatoust. Now we have sent an application to the organizing committee of the Ural Ruble festival, they are waiting for a response.
BY THE WAY
The Briton became a rock star with one arm
The history of rock music knows a case when a musician lost his left arm, but was able to continue performing and even achieved success. In 1984 drummer British group Def Leppard (distorted English. Deaf Leopard - deaf leopard) Rick Allen was in a car accident and his left arm was amputated. Friends in the band decided not to change the drummer, they canceled shows and put the recording of the album on hold. They waited for him to recover and developed a special kit that allows most drums to be played with your feet. Rick returned to the band and the band became legendary, not only because they have a one-armed drummer, but because they play great music. Rick Allen is still performing today.
Rick Allen is a musician for Def Leppard. This man is an example of courage, dedication and boundless love for the profession. Rick Allen is known for being the only one-armed drummer in the world. Why didn't Rick graduate high school and what a tragedy happened in his life, read in this article.
Musician's childhood
Rick Allen's biography began on November 1, 1963. Our hero was born in the British city of Dronfield.
boy with early childhood got hooked on drums. He compensated for the lack of professional tools with the help of kitchen utensils. Iron spoons, pots, lids and other utensils were used. When the son was 4 years old, the parents already understood that a future musician was growing up in their family.
At the age of ten, Rick Allen persuaded his mom and dad to buy a drum kit for him. Realizing the high cost of the purchase, the boy promised his parents to reimburse the cost of the instrument as soon as he became a famous musician.
Having received such a welcome gift, Rick Allen began to play drums professionally. The whole house shuddered when the boy learned to play. But the parents were patient with their son's passion, supported him and encouraged his love for art. Very quickly, Rick mastered the instrument at a decent level and began to play youth group Smokey blue.
Before joining the famous rock band, he had experience in bands such as Rampant and Johnny Kalendar Band.
Choice between music and school
Rick Allen was seriously interested in music and devoted all his time to it. The 15-year-old guy did not have the strength to study, as well as the desire.
Just at this time he was invited to the young rock band Def Leppard. Our hero could not dream of more.
Rick Allen devoted himself entirely to rehearsals and his new rock family. Then he faced a serious choice: either continue his studies at school, or professionally engage in music. Our hero preferred the fate of a popular British drummer to the boring life of a simple schoolboy. In 1979, he finally left school. Parents were not delighted with such a decision of their son, but they did not dissuade him.
The history of the creation of the group Def Leppard
British rock band was formed in 1977. They began to play in the style of hard rock. Over the years, they have given preference to glam metal.
The band was originally called Atomic Mass and consisted of guitarist Pete Willis, bassist Rick Savage, and drummer Tony Kenning.
Vocalist Joe Elliott soon joined the band. Then the group became known as Def Leppard. Then guitarist and songwriter Steve Clark joined the band. The most acute issue was with the drummer. Tony Kenning left the band and was replaced by ex-Next-Band drummer Frank Noone. But he did not work in the group for long, deciding to return to his previous team. It was then that the musicians met with young talent Rick Allen, who became permanent member groups. It was at this time that the band began to gain popularity, the number of performances and tours increased.
On March 14, 1980, Def Leppard recorded their debut album and started touring the country.
Terrible accident
It seemed: here it is - the life that Rick Allen dreamed of. But on December 31, 1984, a fatal event occurred in the life of a 21-year-old musician. The rock musician, along with his girlfriend Miriam, went to a party. On the way, they met a noisy company that provoked Allen Rick to race. Our hero succumbed to temptation and added gas. At high speed, he flew into the wall at the turn. The guy was not wearing a seatbelt and flew out of the car during the collision. left hand the drummer was cut off. A nurse who lived nearby did everything possible to save the musician's limb. But after several operations, Allen's arm was still amputated. Whether Rick Allen filed a lawsuit after this accident, we do not know. But his recovery was very difficult.
Return to the stage
After the accident, our hero found himself in a severe depression. He no longer saw himself in the profession, and, accordingly, in life. Comrades from the team helped him get out of this state, who in every possible way returned his faith in his own strength.
Allen did not expect the support he received from the band's fans. Returning to his apartment after the accident, he found a mountain of letters and postcards with wishes for a speedy recovery. The musician admitted that such love and faith in him did not let him give up and forced him to fight. However, the physical pain was much easier to deal with than the emotional pain.
In the end, our hero not only recovered, but also began to play with new force. He adapted the drum kit for himself, and in 1986 the triumphant return Rick Allen on stage.
Today, at concerts, this virtuoso plays not only with one hand, but also bare feet by hitting the pedals. A photo of Ricky Allen with one arm is presented above. He became a celebrity not only because of his talent, but also because of the life-affirming power that he exudes.
After Allen's return to the group, the team has already released 8 albums. Despite their age, their popularity is only growing.
Musician's hobbies
Few people know, but Rick Allen is fond of not only music. Drawing helps him express himself. In his paintings, Allen shares his feelings and experiences with the audience.
He is also engaged in photography, does not part with the camera in any Everyday life, nor while touring.
In 2001, after suffering an injury, Rick and his wife founded charitable organization Raven Drum Foundation. One of the areas of her activity is assistance in the treatment and post-traumatic rehabilitation of patients by means of music and art.
