DEF LEPPARD DRUMMER RICK ALLEN TO APPEAR IN BETHESDA MARCH 21

Buddha of Inspiration: A Study in Orange
by Rick Allen

Rick Allen, drummer for the legendary Def Leppard, will appear Saturday, March 21 from noon to 3:00 PM at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall. He will be exhibiting a collection of his fine art at the Bethesda gallery entitled, "Rick Allen: Angels and Icons."

Allen's art creation process is as innovative as his drumming technique. Working in the mediums of photography, light art and painting, he sometimes creates abstract works by filming his playing while using LED lights on the drumstick tip. Using long exposures, the lights create patterns that are also unique to the music that was being performed. 

His dramatic life story has brought him to the DC area before. As you may know - and as my falling-apart copy of Def Leppard: Animal Instinct recounts - Allen lost an arm in a car wreck at the height of the band's Pyromania-era success. Allen says a visit with wounded veterans at Walter Reed helped him "come to terms" with that traumatic event more than 20 years later. Rather than retire, he redefined what could be done on the drums with new techniques and technology.

Now he is expanding his palette to the worlds of art and philanthropy, helping to raise money for Project Resiliency’s Warrior Resiliency Program, sponsored by the Raven Drum Foundation.

Here's a chance to meet a real rock star - RSVP online, or call 301.365.3270.

Wentworth Gallery is on the second level of the mall, just outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy Wentworth Gallery