WATCH: Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Stops by New Hampshire Veterans Home

As someone who grew up playing the drums, I’ve always greatly admired the work of Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen.

With the band on its way to superstardom, Allen was involved in a car accident that threatened to rob him of that dream. He suffered severe injuries and nearly lost both arms.

Instead, he only lost one. “Only” – an unimaginable setback to just about anyone drumming in a hard rock band. But Allen learned how to use the arm (and both feet) he was spared with, becoming one of the most iconic drummers in rock history.

Allen was in New Hampshire this week, visiting the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Portsmouth. Him and his band performed for the veterans and took time to speak with and pose for pictures with those in attendance, according to a post on Facebook.

Allen does a great deal of work with veterans through his Raven Drum Foundation. According to its official website: “Raven Drum Foundation exists to serve, educate, and empower Veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors in our focused effort to prevent suicide through innovative wellness-support programs. We contribute to global healing and community through advocacy, storytelling, and the promotion of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).”

Famous for hits such as “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages” and “Love Bites,” Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

This past summer, the band joined Joan Jett & the Black Hearts, Mötley Crüe, and Poison on tour, making a stop at Fenway Park.