Def Leppard's Rick Allen: The Cream Interview [Updated]

This week I got to interview legendary Def Leppard drummer and triumpher over adversity Rick Allen. Mr. Allen—who was joined by his wife Lauren Monroe—was exceedingly nice and excitable. He talked about his band's place in the rock 'n' roll pantheon, battling the '90s, returning to Donnington—where he was crowned the "Thunder God" in 1986—his affinity for Coldplay, producing his wife's record and his passion, The Raven Drum Foundation—an organization he and his wife founded to aid people in post-traumatic crisis through drumming. Def Leppard play Sommet Center, with openers Poison and Cheap Trick, Monday, Aug. 10. Tickets are available here.

Update: The Sommet Center show has been postponed.

Nashville Cream: So, Def Leppard are going to be here Monday?

Rick Allen: Yes, I do believe that. I'm actually on a break at the moment, so I'm not very focused on the tour, but I'm excited to get back and play the shows, it's been going really well.

NC: How long have you been out so far?

RA: We've been out for about, what is it 6 weeks?

Lauren Monroe: Since the end of May.

RA: So, I think it's probably about 40 or 50 shows this year. It's not that long of a tour, it's not like some of the tours that we've done.

NC: You guys aren't promoting a record at the moment, are you?

RA: Yeah, it's called Songs from the Sparkle Lounge.

NC: Okay, so that's the 2008 record?

RA: Yeah.

NC: OK, I know you guys were here last August as well so I didn't know if you were still in the same record cycle?

RA: Yeah, this is basically the last cycle. As we speak we're recording new songs and writing new songs, coming up with new ideas and getting ready for the next chapter.

(Thanks to our editorial intern Rachel Warrick for the transcription.)