Def Leppard's drummer issues statement after being assaulted

Def Leppard’s drummer Rick Allen has issued a statement in the wake of his violent assault last week, March 13th. Allen was beaten up outside of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The named assailant, 19-year-old Max Edward Hartley, was arrested soon after and has been charged with four counts of criminal mischief; one count of misdemeanor battery; and one count of aggravated battery.

The 19-year-old is reported to have charged at Allen, who hit his head after being knocked to the ground. Hartley is also accused of attacking a woman who attempted to interfere in the incident, hitting her repeatedly and dragging her by the hair.

Def Leppard’s Allen issued a statement to ABC news on Sunday, March 19th. Taking a tone of empathy, the drummer began, “Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping. My wife Lauren [Monroe] was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident. We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space [and focused on] healing for everyone involved.”

He continued, “We ask you to join us in our effort to move from confusion and shock to compassion and empathy. We understand this act of violence can be triggering for so many people. To all of the fans, veterans and first responders in our global community, we are thinking of you all. Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times.”

The 59-year-old, who joined Def Leppard in 1978, famously lost his arm in a near-fatal car accident in 1984, but has remained the band’s drummer ever since.

Assuming Allen has sustained no serious or lingering injuries, he will join the rest of the band for the rest of Def Leppard’s 2023 world tour with Mötley Crüe. Both bands are due to perform at Marlay Park, Dublin on July 4th as part of the European leg of their tour.