Page 70 - Classic Rock - The Complete Story of Def Leppard 2019

RICK ALLEN

– but he was the local fix-your-amplifier
kind of guy, but I realised that he had a lot
more going that just that. He came to visit

me in the hospital… Because I’d also
broke my right arm really badly, too, the
hospital fixed me up with a piece of foam
at the bottom of the bed so I could push

myself up if I’d slid down. About the same
time I requested this piece of foam, I’d
asked my brother to bring in my stereo
and all my music so I could listen to stuff
in the hospital. So I got to that point again,

as on making the new record, where I was
listening to stuff and drummers that had
really inspired me in the first place.
I began to realise that I could pay all the

basic rhythms using just my right and left
foot against this piece of foam. When Pete
came to visit me he saw that and said: “We
could build pedals. I could have you
playing drums again!” So he went away

and came up with these clunky looking
pedals – but it was a start. He brought one
to the hospital to show me.
Literally the day I got out of hospital–

which was just shy of a month after the
accident – I went straight to his store and
he had the pedals and a few drum pads set
up, hooked up to these things called
Simmons drums and I started laying. It

took me about five minutes and I was just
exhausted. I was really weak. But that
initial experience of playing the pedals
catapulted me into where I am today.
And, to be honest, the drum set-up hasn’t

really changed that much.

You not only re-invented yourself, you
reinvented how drums can be played.
Apparently that’s what Neil Peart said to

Phil. Rush rehearse in the same place as
we do in California and Phil met him one Rick in transit not something that everyone could go out really silly-looking baseball cap and I took
day, and he said: “You know what, if it somewhere in the and buy, I know. Instead of what the the arm off a mannequin and shoved it
world while touring
wasn’t for Rick, electronic drums Hysteria, 1987. electronics companies were building, I down the sleeve and put the hand in the

wouldn’t be where they are today.” He tended to wanna go with a custom system jacket pocket. Then I’d arm myself with
said: “He invented so many things and that I could call my own. But my drumset one of those big red Dixie cups and put
inspired so many people…” I thought that has more in common with a laptop than a that to my face and walk straight to the
was really sweet of him to say that. drumkit – the central processor is exactly stage. For months that worked fantastic.
the same, an Intel 7, and it works fantastic. Then one night Steve Clark comes up

How much does a kit like yours cost? I love it. State-of-the-art, as they say… to me wishes me good luck: “Have a really
The one I’m playing right now is probably good show, Rick!” And pats me on the
around $10,000… When you toured Hysteria and played back. I didn’t know it but he’d written ‘I’m
shows ‘in the round”’ you were wheeled Rick Allen’ on a piece of gaffer tape and

So three or four times more than a to the central stage in laundry baskets. stuck this on the back of my jacket. So I
conventional high-end kit? That must have been fun? walk out there thinking all is cool as usual
You can spend as much money as you Well, the other guys were in laundry until I get about 20 feet from the stage and
want, these days – but I consider it to be a baskets – I had a disguise. I had a union some guy notices and yells out: “Rick
really expensive piece of equipment. It’s worker’s wax jacket, a brown curly wig, a Allen, duuude!” I was busted!

68 CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM