What is Rick Allen's Net Worth?
Rick Allen is an English drummer with a substantial net worth of $50 million. Known for his exceptional skills, Allen has been the heartbeat of the rock band Def Leppard since 1978. The band, celebrated globally for their chart-topping hits like "Photograph," "Rock of Ages," "Love Bites," "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and "Let's Get Rocked," has sold millions of records worldwide. Remarkably, Rick Allen continues to mesmerize fans with his talent, playing drums with his right arm after losing his left arm in a tragic car accident in 1985.
Early Life
Born on November 1, 1963, in Dronfield, Derbyshire, England, Rick Allen's passion for music began early under the guidance of his parents, Kathleen and Geoffrey. At the tender age of nine, Allen picked up the drums and soon became a prodigious talent. During his formative years, he played in various local bands including Grad, Smokey Blue, Rampant, and the Johnny Kalendar Band.
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Def Leppard
In a twist of fate, Allen's mother responded to an ad for a drummer posted by Def Leppard when he was just 14. On his 15th birthday, Rick Allen officially joined Def Leppard, embarking on a journey that would see the band rise to fame. Early members included lead vocalist Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, and guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis. The band's first album, "On Through the Night" (1980), did well in the UK but struggled internationally. Their second album, "High 'n' Dry" (1981), achieved moderate success, paving the way for their breakthrough with "Pyromania" in 1983, which reached number two on the Billboard 200.
Def Leppard's monumental success came with the 1987 album "Hysteria," topping charts in several countries, including the UK and the US. The album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and produced six hit singles such as "Love Bites," "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and "Animal." Following the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark in 1991, the band continued as a quartet to release "Adrenalize" (1992), another chart-topping success replete with hits like "Let's Get Rocked." New guitarist Vivian Campbell joined them soon after.
Over the years, Def Leppard released several successful albums including "Retro Active" (1993), "Vault" (1995), and "Slang" (1996). Their studio albums continued with "Euphoria" (1999), "X" (2002), "Yeah!" (2006), "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge" (2008), and "Def Leppard" (2015). The band's 12th album, "Diamond Star Halos" (2022), marked their best-selling record in three decades, and they are currently teasing a 13th studio album expected in the near future.
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Car Crash
On December 31, 1984, Allen faced a life-altering event in a severe car accident with his then-girlfriend Miriam Barendsen near Sheffield. After a frustrating encounter with another motorist, Allen lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a crash that severed his left arm. Despite doctors' attempts to reattach it, the arm had to be amputated due to infection. Devastated yet resilient, Allen returned to Def Leppard with an innovative electronic drum kit designed for his condition, later transitioning back to partially acoustic drum sets.
Charity
Alongside his wife, Lauren Monroe, Allen co-founded the Raven Drum Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at supporting veterans and trauma survivors through music. Allen also established the One Hand Drum Company, which sells merchandise featuring "Stick Rick," a character inspired by him, to fund their charitable efforts.
Personal Life
Rick Allen's personal life has witnessed its shares of ups and downs. He married Stacy Gilbert in 1991, a union that ended in 2000. His second marriage is to fellow musician Lauren Monroe. In 1995, Allen faced legal troubles due to spousal abuse charges, leading to a sentence involving community service.
