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Shirley's Story

"I had always been a Def Leppard fan since 1983 when I was 18 and especially a "Ricks" fan; there was just something about that "back beat". I had always dreamed of meeting Rick Allen, but never thought it could happen until this year. I had the opportunity to see the band in concert in Uncasville, CT June 27, 2005. I realized why I loved them so much, especially the drummer! When I found out that Raven Drum was auctioning meet and greet passes I knew this was my chance to share with Rick how much he had impacted my life and how much I admired him. My friend Laurie, we had met through a DL forum, and I decided to bid on the passes for Charleston, WV and won. I think I was more nervous leading up to the moment then I was actually meeting Rick.

I had traveled 11 hrs. to be at the show, but it was meeting Rick that fueled my trip. Right after the DL set we met one of the DL staff who lead us to a locker room where we would wait for Rick. I was so nervous I had to sit down to prevent from pacing. When Rick walked in I couldn't believe it was him. He sat down right next to me. It seemed like all my nervousness went away when he started talking. He asked everyone what they thought about the show and started signing autographs. I had my "Animal Instinct" book and had him sign one of the pictures, he started reminecsing about Steve, that was so cool! I had brought a copy of the pic of he and Sav from the NH show (thanks Lori) and told him about how my favorite picture of him was from the "Thunder God website" (the footrest pic)! He spent about 20 minutes talking, they were leaving for their next gig.

I had asked him how he has adapted doing my fav song "Rock Brigade" since it was done initially before his accident. He gave me a drumming demo right there, it was so cool, I couldn't believe it. He was distracted away from our conversation, but came back to it, I thought that was very cool. There had been soldiers who were injured in the war in the audience and he expressed being surprised that they had treated him like 'one of them'. His humility blew me away, he is such an inspiration to many of the wounded! I didn't want the time to end, but Rick had to run to get ready to leave. It was definately one of the greatest moments of my life.

Thanks to Rick and the Raven Drum Foundation for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime."

Shirley