Before he became a painter, business entrepreneur and philanthropist. Heck even before being rightfully anointed the "Thunder God", he was simply 15-year old Rick Allen. And 40 years ago, he became Def Leppard's drummer.

The Leps were out a skin basher when Tony Kenning, one of rock's most notable "Wally Pips", bowed out. But the man who would later become the "Thunder God" strode in and quickly became the thunderous back beat of Def Leppard, a kit that he still mans to this day.

Some of my favorite performances by the Thunder God are below: