Iconic Def Leppard drummer bringing mission to help to Boston
They are one of the greatest-selling artists of all time. And the man behind the drums isn't just a rock star talent — he's a remarkable person.
They are one of the greatest-selling artists of all time. And the man behind the drums isn't just a rock star talent — he's a remarkable person.
They are one of the greatest-selling artists of all time. And the man behind the drums isn't just a rock star talent — he's a remarkable person.
They are one of the greatest-selling artists of all time. And the man behind the drums isn't just a rock star talent — he's a remarkable person.
Def Leppard's Rick Allen lost his left arm years ago, but that's not what defines him. It's what he and his wife are doing for so many others that is truly extraordinary.
"I'm not going to be doing this for the rest of my days, you know, playing music," Allen said. "It's so easy for me to make people feel good about themselves. And that's been a huge gift."
Many know Rick Allen for his resilience after losing his left arm in a car crash in 1984. He was 21 years old and driving a Corvette, crashing violently. His arm was caught in the seatbelt and severed.
"I had a lot of unchecked trauma, and now I have the opportunity to work through a lot of that trauma," he said. "I mean, we work with some of the most incredible people, and now I get the opportunity to really, you know, work on myself and heal myself."
With his wife, singer and songwriter Lauren Monroe, Allen founded the Raven Drum Foundation, which helps wounded veterans and other survivors heal.
"You know, it's not from a textbook," Allen said. "It's something I know."
"I think being in service is a lifestyle. And I think the more people see that, the more you give, the more joy you receive. It's just like this cycle of love that happens," said Monroe. "We're a guide for people. We take people through an experience of drums and mindfulness. We connect them to their heart. We show them how to use their mind, how to use their body again. Because trauma oftentimes really splits you from your body. Together we can create a space for people that's really magical."
For Allen, it's part of his own healing.
"Sometimes when I'm down on myself, or I get depressed, the easiest thing for me to do or for us to do is just to be of service," he said. "As soon as you do that, then all the gratitude comes back."
Monroe and Allen will be performing at City Winery on Monday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. Some of the proceeds from that concert will go to the Raven Drum Foundation.