The Def Leppard drummer, Rick Allen, known for his amazing one-armed performances, is still recovering from an attack he was subjected to by an American tourist.
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While having a smoke outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Rick Allen was knocked to the ground. A teenager came from behind a pole and pushed him over. He hit his head on the ground. The teen went on to assault another woman in the hotel, dragging her by her hair as she attempted to flee.
The teen escaped but was later apprehended by police while smashing windows of cars in a parking lot nearby. He was charged with two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief, and abusing an elderly or disabled adult.
However, after being attacked, Rick Allen was traumatized. It made him uncomfortable in crowds. He became overly cautious and shied away from social situations. Recently, he has spoken to Good Morning America about his experience.
One Step At A Time For Traumatized Rick Allen
The attack on Rick Allen didn't just affect his social life and confidence. There was also a profound effect on his creative output. "That whole thing is ongoing, when I got beaten up outside the hotel. So I've been trying to deal with that the best that I can, and really, I just needed to take a break from some of the side projects that I was busy with, just so I could spend more time at home."
The mindless attack deeply troubled the drummer and even delayed his personal artistic projects. However, he has been challenging himself to get back out there, but is taking it slow. After attempting a cruise, Rick Allen found the experience a bit overwhelming.
"I decided, 'You know what, Rick? Don't try and bite off more than you can chew. Just deal with this, deal with what's in front of you. Spend as much time as you need at home." It's important in these situations not to become a recluse. But, after a random attack like the one Rick Allen experienced, confidence needs time to return.
"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," he closed off with.
