Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen recently opened up about a traumatic attack that occurred outside a hotel in Fort Lauderdale two years ago. The incident left him with injuries after being violently assaulted by a man while smoking outside the hotel.
The attack, which took place in March 2023, resulted in Allen hitting his head on the ground, causing injury. A police report confirmed the details of the assault, noting that a woman who attempted to help was also attacked by the assailant multiple times and dragged by her hair.
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation show on April 17, Allen shared his struggles in coping with the aftermath of the attack, mentioning that he had to take a break from certain projects to focus on dealing with the emotional impact of the traumatic event. Despite the challenges he faced, Allen expressed hope that he could eventually move past the ordeal and return to a sense of normalcy.
Since the attack, Allen admitted to finding it difficult to be around people and emphasized the importance of taking time to focus on healing and recovery. He noted that he hoped to resume his artistic projects, particularly his artwork, once he was able to put the incident behind him.
Following the attack, Allen took to Twitter to thank fans for their support and assured them that he and his wife were working on recovering in a safe environment. The drummer also expressed empathy for those who may have been triggered by the act of violence and extended thoughts to fans, veterans, and first responders in the community.
The attacker, identified as 19-year-old Max Edward Hartley, was arrested and faced charges including battery, criminal mischief, and abusing an elderly or disabled adult. In lighter news, Def Leppard was announced as one of the headliners for the upcoming Boardwalk Rock Festival, alongside other prominent bands like Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, and Shinedown.
Organized by C3 Presents, the festival is set to take place in Ocean City, Maryland, featuring a lineup of diverse acts including Alice Cooper, Halestorm, Bush, Chevelle, and more. The event, scheduled for May 17 and 18, promises an exciting blend of rock music for fans to enjoy.