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Tough guy Florida man attacks one-armed drummer in an unprovoked assault

Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, the drummer who lost his left arm in January 1985 after a horrific car accident the previous month, was apparently minding his own business outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida when a spring break bro rushed at him and knocked Rick to the floor.

Max Edward Hartley, 19, had been hiding behind a pillar outside the hotel. For some reason, he rushed at Allen at full speed, knocking him over. He hit his head pretty hard, enough to cause an injury.

A woman tried to come to Allen’s aid but then the tough guy spring break bro attacked her. She was chased into the hotel and was then dragged back outside by her hair.

Hartley then bolted for a nearby hotel. Cops found him and charged him with elder abuse/abuse of a disabled adult, battery, and criminal mischief. (Apparently, Hartley also did a number on several cars in the parking garage of that hotel.)

More stuff went down, too. Here’s the 911 call.

There’s no word on any motive or what set Hartley off.

Allen is better shape and has since resumed playing with Def Leppard who are on tour with Motley Crue. He fully intends to press charges.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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One thought on “Tough guy Florida man attacks one-armed drummer in an unprovoked assault

  • The attacker was visiting from Ohio, not Florida. Maybe do your research first before writing an article.

    Reply

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