Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen opens up about his personal struggles following a violent incident outside a Florida hotel.

According to Fox News, the 61-year-old musician recently admitted he's still grappling with the aftermath of a random attack that occurred two years ago, forcing him to step back from various side projects to focus on recovery.

Allen shared his ongoing challenges during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk," expressing hope for eventual healing while acknowledging the profound impact of the traumatic event.

Despite these difficulties, the legendary drummer plans to join Def Leppard for their upcoming stadium tour this summer.

Violent Attack Outside Four Seasons Hotel

The incident occurred in March 2023 when Allen was smoking a cigarette outside the Four Seasons hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

A 19-year-old assailant, Max Hartley, allegedly emerged from behind a pole and attacked the musician, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

The situation escalated when a woman attempted to help Allen, resulting in her also becoming a victim of Hartley's aggression.

Reports indicate the assailant knocked her down, repeatedly struck her, and later dragged her by her hair after she sought refuge inside the hotel.

Local law enforcement eventually apprehended Hartley at a nearby Conrad hotel parking garage, where he was reportedly damaging vehicles.

The teenager faced serious legal consequences, including four felony counts of criminal mischief, one count of misdemeanor battery, and one count of aggravated battery.

Drummer's Journey Through Recovery and Support

Allen, who had previously overcome a life-altering car crash in 1984 that resulted in the loss of his left arm, shared his current state of mind with fans, saying:

I've been going through some challenging times, kind of related to what happened in Florida. And that whole thing is ongoing, when I got beaten up outside the hotel. So I've been trying to deal with that the best that I can, and really I just needed to take a break from some of the side projects that I was busy with, just so I could spend more time at home.

Following the attack, Allen received an outpouring of support from fans worldwide. He took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express gratitude and share updates about his recovery process alongside his wife Lauren, who fortunately was not present during the incident.

Impact on Professional Career and Future Plans

The attack has significantly impacted Allen's involvement in various musical projects, compelling him to temporarily withdraw from additional commitments outside Def Leppard.

Despite these setbacks, he maintains his position as the band's drummer and is preparing for their upcoming summer stadium tour.

Professional associates and industry colleagues have rallied around Allen during this challenging period. His determination to continue performing demonstrates the same resilience he showed when relearning to play drums after his 1984 accident, though he acknowledges the current situation presents its own unique challenges.

Current Status and Path Forward

Rick Allen continues to process the traumatic events from the 2023 attack while preparing for Def Leppard's summer tour schedule.

The incident, which occurred during a routine moment outside a Florida hotel, has left lasting effects on the celebrated musician who has already overcome significant adversity in his career.

The drummer's focus remains on healing and moving forward, though he acknowledges the ongoing nature of his recovery process. While maintaining his commitments to Def Leppard, Allen has prioritized his well-being by scaling back additional projects and dedicating more time to personal healing.