On This Day, Dec. 31, 1984: Def Leppard’s Rick Allen lost arm in car crash

On This Day, Dec. 31, 1984 …

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car crash in Sheffield, England.

After trying to pass a driver who had been taunting him on the road, Allen lost control of his vehicle, hitting a wall. His arm wound up getting caught in the seat belt and was severed.

While doctors initially tried to reattach the arm, it later had to be amputated due to infection.

Allen’s career as a drummer looked in doubt, but he eventually learned to play again on a specially designed electronic drum kit.

Allen and Def Leppard returned to the stage for his first concert following the accident on Aug. 16, 1986, at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Castle Donington, England.

He continues to perform with Def Leppard, with the band’s next show scheduled for Jan. 11 at the Harvest Nights Festival in Immokalee, Florida.

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