Rick Allen thinks the tough times they’ve been through as a band have been important in Def Leppard’s success.
“I think the thing that really makes us somewhat unique in terms of our relationship is not really the success but I think some of the things that weren’t so pleasant,” the drummer replied when asked about the crucial event in the success of the group in an interview shared in Def Leppard’s social media.
He continued, “Like losing Steve [Clark] or when I went through my accident. It was one of those times when you are sitting around in a room with each other and you look one another and you’re like ‘Why are we doing this again?’ And everybody seem to come up with ‘You know, we’re friends’ and that’s why we want to do this.”
Rick shares the secret to Def Leppard's success. pic.twitter.com/k1pKBBBThD
— Def Leppard (@DefLeppard) February 19, 2025
Allen and Def Leppard’s frontman Joe Elliott also previously talked about the band’s success. In a video on their YouTube channel, Elliott said, “The fact that forty-four years ago today we signed our record deal. Which means forty-four years ago yesterday, we saw Led Zeppelin at Knebworth, and the record deal was signed in Rick Allen’s parents’ kitchen because he was fifteen. He wasn’t old enough to sign one himself.”
Rick added after him, “Yes, so forty-four years ago we signed our first record deal in my mum and dad’s kitchen. And done thing I’m sure most people know these days is how supportive our parents were of this band and of all of us. Having just that support as really, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing now.”
“I mean, we were beside it ourselves, you know, getting that first record deal, I mean it’s unheard of. Not too many people get to do that. So, thank you parents and thank you all for sticking with and being so loyal, thank you,” the rocker added.
On the other hand, Bret Michaels attributed Def Leppard’s success to their agelessness and their ability to blend classic hits with new music in their set in a chat with the Pete McMurray Show.
