“I hit things with a stick. Some people seem to like it.”
This is Rick Allen’s Twitter bio, and honestly, where is the lie? He’s been behind the kit for Def Leppard since he was 15 years old and have achieved massive success in the decades that followed. According to Rick, though, the band wouldn’t be where they are without the influence of the Rolling Stones and their late drummer, Charlie Watts.
Just before Def Leppard’s double header with Motley Crue in Atlantic City, Rick called Pierre Robert to discuss his art exhibit, and one particular painting in his Legends series stood out: “Saint Charlie”. Pierre asked why he chose that title for the piece, Rick explained:
“If it wasn’t for Charlie, I probably wouldn’t be playing drums the way that I am now… Of all the musicians I can think of, he’s kind of the top of the pile. He was so unassuming. I met him a few times and it was so cool talking to him, you know. I was starstruck; the realization that he plays drums with the biggest rock n’ roll band in the world was just incredible to me, and the fact that he was so humble and so willing to talk to me… so I just really looked up to Charlie and I think he deserves that title.”
If you missed Rick’s art show at the Wentworth Gallery in the Hard Rock Atlantic City, you can catch a glimpse of of the painting below, along with some footage from Def Leppard’s gig later that night. You can also stream the full interview with Pierre to hear more about Rick’s art, his work supporting veterans, and his relentless optimism.