Blimp Time Hop: Happy B-day Def Lep’s Rick ‘Thunder God’ Allen

The incredible one-armed drummer known to the Def Lep faithful as the ‘Thunder God’  turns 57 today.

Rick Allen was born on November 1, 1963 in Dronfield, Derbyshire, England.

When most teeenagers were starting their first jobs at fast food joints, Rick got a dream gig that would turn out to be a lifelong career in a band that very deservingly ended up in The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

He has been in Def Leppard since 1978 when he joined the band on his 15th birthday.

Rick and his bandmates have been very kind to us here in 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 their most recent appearance in 2016 on the Bangor Waterfront.

Happy Birthday Rick Allen! Not only is he a terrific musician, he's also just a great human whose super nice to his fans.

We remember when Def Leppard played the Portland in the early 2000s, WBLM had a backstage broadcast at the Civic Center the afternoon before the show.

There were a bunch of Blimpsters gathered on the other side of the barricade just outside the backstage door at the corner of Free and Center streets.

Rick noticed and decided to get out there and greet the diehard Def Lep devotees.

He took his time with everyone, signing autographs and giving out hugs.

It was a very happy, unforgettable rock moment for some lucky Maine folks and an honor to see it happen.

Rick Allen is truly an inspiration. Watch this great sounding fanshot video by YouTube user, Ken Talon from the 2016 Bangor show.

It's Rock of Ages with an great introduction from Joe Elliott honoring Rick Allen.

And check out this sick solo from the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH from 2017.