Rock Block - Shattered Barriers

By Holly Shanks
STLCC-FV The Forum Student Newspaper

Shattered Barriers

In 1984, Rick Allen became a one-armed drummer. The Def Leppard member suffered a car accident that took his arm, but not his desire to play rock and roll.

With encouragement and support from his band mates and assistance from custom made foot peddles, Allen relearned to play the drums. “I’m really trying to play everything I used to play with my left arm with my left leg, sometimes not as successfully as I would like, but it’s a constant sort of learning curve…” Allen says smiling “You can’t really consult the book of one-armed drummers, you know.”

  Allen's current project “Electric Hand: Rhythm + Change” will be released on April 18, 2012. His website describes the new collection of art as “translating rhythm into a visual art medium through an extensive process involving drumbeat, light, photography, and graphic design. The result is a collection of abstract imagery built directly from Allen’s rhythmic prowess. And as one of the pioneers in this new medium, Allen is holding true to a lifetime of breaking barriers and new ground.” More information can be found at http://www.rickallenart.com/ .

  Def Leppard carved out their mark in the music world with two Diamond Awards and selling more than 100 million albums worldwide. This summer Def Leppard goes on the road with their “Rock of Ages Tour 2012” including Poison and Lita Ford. For more information and tour dates visit www.defleppard.com.    
   

In April 2003, a war veteran, J.R. Martinez was serving in when his humvee ran over a land mine. The explosion ignited fuel and ammunitions inside the vehicle with trapped inside. Among other injuries suffered disfiguring burns to his face and body. Appearing on The Ellen Degeneres show in 2011, sported a newly won title, champion of ’s “Dancing with the Stars” season 13.

 “I made a choice that life goes on…,” Martinez said. “I look at it as I have the opportunity to raise awareness about service members who serve in the military and their families… and show the world that you can see scars, but it’s really what’s beneath that makes a big difference as a person and makes a person who they are.”

  Webster’s Dictionary defines persevere as, "to persist in an idea, purpose, or task despite obstacles." Some people go through worse experiences than others with no explanation, yet sometimes can go on to inspire and lend credibility to the definition of perseverance. Rick Allen and J.R. Martinez certainly fit into that description.    

  

Def Leppard’s “Armageddon It” Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI6Ms0b4q-4&feature=related    

Interview with Def Leppard Drummer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMyOab17LhA&feature=related

Dancing with the Stars video: J.R. Martinez and Karina – Freestyle Dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=584oNmgulQA&feature=related  

on Ellen Degeneres Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hpUNH77Iik