With Def Leppard, drummer Rick Allen has performed in front of millions of fans around the world for more than 40 years. But when it came time to share his visual art, he had a bit of trepidation. Thankfully, his first serious piece — a portrait of guitarist Steve Clark, a founding member of the band who died in 1991 — was a success. Not because it sold for millions or drew rave reviews, but because Clark’s family loved it.
With that confidence boost, Allen has created a parallel career to his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “day job,” and he’ll be showing his works and greeting fans on Saturday at the Wentworth Gallery at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and on Sunday at the Wentworth Gallery in King of Prussia.
Allen recently chatted with us about his artistic endeavors, his Legends Series (which features Kurt Cobain, Eddie Van Halen and Johnny Cash), meeting Eddie Van Halen and the kinship he feels with wounded veterans. He also offered us an update on a new Def Leppard album and explained how the band became a crossover hit while working with producer Mutt Lange.
You can watch the full interview here:
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