Rick Allen has revealed he was blindsided when he was attacked outdoors a resort in Florida following a live performance earlier this yr.

"I heard a couple of steps and then I just saw this (flash) and the next thing I knew was I was on the ground," the Def Leppard drummer, 59, informed ABC's Good Morning America in an interview broadcast on Monday.

"I landed on my backside - hit my head on the pavement."

Def Leppard had been in Fort Lauderdale to carry out on the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino when Allen was attacked on 13 March whereas smoking a cigarette outdoors a resort.

Police arrested Max Hartley, a 19-year-old from Avon, Ohio, who has pleaded not responsible to 2 counts of battery and 4 counts of legal mischief, in response to court docket data.

Police mentioned they've but to find out a motive.

"I don't think he knew who I was, but he must have seen that I wasn't a threat because, you know, I've only got one arm," mentioned Allen, who misplaced his left arm in a automotive accident in 1984.

According to the police report, Hartley was allegedly hiding behind a pillar outdoors the resort after which ran at Allen, knocking him to the bottom.

He additionally allegedly attacked a lady who tried to assist Allen, however she was not significantly injured.

Hartley allegedly then ran to a different resort and began breaking automotive home windows till he was stopped by witnesses and police arrived, police mentioned.

Hartley's lawyer, Kevin Gardiner, didn't instantly reply to an e-mail in search of remark concerning the case.

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Allen's head struck the bottom through the assault, and he and his spouse, Lauren Monroe, informed Good Morning America that they've been specializing in his restoration.

"My heart just completely sank into me. I know the journey of trauma. Everything stopped in our house and focused on him," Monroe mentioned.

The couple created the Raven Drum Foundation to assist survivors of trauma, particularly veterans and first responders, in 2001.

Allen and his bandmates carried out at a small venue of their home city of Sheffield on Friday earlier than kicking off their European tour.

"I know that I'm not going to be playing music in a band forever," mentioned Allen.

"But while I am, I plan on making as many people happy as I possibly can. And this is my time. This is my opportunity."