When Phil Collins sent Def Leppard drummer ‘incredible’ letter after tragic accident

They stand among the most cherished drummers in the history of rock and pop.

Phil Collins first made his mark behind the kit with the progressive rock giants Genesis, later stepping up to the microphone when Peter Gabriel departed in search of new horizons. Under Collins’ dual leadership, the band evolved into one of rock’s dominant forces, while he simultaneously launched a solo career that would cement his status as a global icon.

Across the Atlantic, Rick Allen commanded the drums for Def Leppard, one of Britain’s most successful rock exports. But his story carried an extraordinary twist. In 1984, Allen lost his left arm in a devastating car accident — a tragedy that could have ended his career. Instead, it became the beginning of one of the most inspiring comebacks in rock, as he pioneered a new style of drumming that defied every expectation.

For most, the idea of a drummer returning after such a devastating loss would have been unimaginable — yet Rick Allen refused to surrender.

He not only mastered the art of drumming again, but went on to help drive Def Leppard to their greatest triumph with the 1987 mega–selling album Hysteria.

What once seemed like an impossible dream became a powerful reality, thanks in part to the encouragement of fellow legend Phil Collins, who reached out with an “incredible” message of support that helped Allen believe his story wasn’t over — it was just beginning.

Losing an arm would have been enough to make any drummer believe their career was finished. For Rick Allen, whose craft depended on two hands, the despair was overwhelming.

The accident struck on December 31, 1984, when he was only 21 years old — a moment that plunged him into one of the darkest chapters of his life. Just a year earlier, Def Leppard had broken through in America with Pyromania, the Robert “Mutt” Lange–produced album that delivered anthems like Rock of Ages, Photograph, Foolin’, and Too Late for Love.

Now, as the band’s hard-won momentum seemed to slip beyond his reach, Allen faced the crushing thought that it was all over. But then came a lifeline. At the peak of his own fame, Phil Collins — drummer, frontman, and global superstar — reached out. His words of encouragement carried a weight far greater than Allen could have imagined, reigniting the belief that he still had a place behind the kit.

In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock in 2021, Allen revealed that Collins’ later “happened to be one of the first” that he opened after the accident whilst he was “actually still in hospital in 1985”.

He couldn’t believe the “incredible words of encouragement”, words that would give him hope once again.

“There were hundreds of thousands of letters, but his stood out because he obviously knew what it would be like,” Allen added.

“Or he had an inkling of what it would be like – to be a drummer and to be involved in something so horrific. So it just meant that much more.”

Although Phil Collins’ heartfelt letter played a pivotal role in Rick Allen’s healing, it was the unwavering support of everyday fans that truly kept him going.

In an interview with Modern Drummer, Allen opened up about the darkest moments after the accident:

“I remember waking up in the hospital and realising what had happened. Honestly, I just wanted to disappear.”

He confessed he nearly walked away from music altogether — until letters began pouring in from around the globe.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “But something shifted. I felt the power of the human spirit. And I thought, ‘You know what? I can do this.’”

It wasn’t just one voice that lifted him up — it was a chorus.

“It was a collective force,” he added. “So much encouragement from so many people. That’s where the will to fight came from. That’s what made me want to succeed.”

The journey back to the drumkit wasn’t just about muscle memory — it was a battle of will, spirit, and unshakable brotherhood. Rick Allen didn’t walk that road alone. His bandmates stood by him, and with their unwavering support, he reinvented the way he played.

Using a custom drum kit that replaced his missing left arm with foot-triggered controls, Allen taught himself to play all over again. It was nothing short of revolutionary.

And then, in 1986, came the moment that changed everything: Def Leppard’s thunderous return at the Monsters of Rock festival. As the crowd roared to hits like “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Love Bites,” Allen’s triumphant presence behind the kit became the heartbeat of the band’s rebirth — and paved the way for their mega-hit album Hysteria.

Today, Allen remains a vital force in the group. In a 2021 interview with ABC News, when asked if he’d change the past, his answer was quietly profound:
“It enabled me to grow… It became a blessing. A responsibility. A gift.”

A gift he may have never fully embraced — had it not been for a letter from Phil Collins, whose words helped ignite one of the most extraordinary comebacks in rock history.