Today’s Blimp Time-Hop: Happy Birthday to the ‘Thunder God’

The incredible one-armed drummer we call the ‘Thunder God’, Rick Allen turns 55 today. He was born on November 1, 1963 in Dronfield, Derbyshire, England. Rick has been in Def Leppard since 1978, joining the band on his 15th birthday.

Rick and his bandmates have been very good to Blimpville over the years. We count 11 trips to Maine from their 1st show opening for Ozzy Osbourne in 1981 at the Civic Center to 2016 on the Bangor Waterfront.

The setlist is a bit longer than their one as the opener 37 years ago that's for sure!

Happy Birthday Rick Allen! He's a great artist and wicked nice to the fans! For example, when Def Leppard played the Portland in the early 2000s we remember seeing Rick step up to the barricade to greet Blimpsters gathered on Free Street.

This was just outside the backstage door on the corner of the Civic Center. He took his time with everyone, signing autographs and giving out hugs...a very happy rock moment for some lucky Maine folks!

Watch him work last year in New Hampshire! Awe-inspiring!