on him after a show in boston geneva on may when the of for more than 4yeef drummer rick allen has rockedhe world with just one arm. but in march, after a show in fort lauderdale, florida, allen was violently attacked outside a hotel. and this morning, he's describing to good morning america what happened. i heard a couple of steps and then i just saw this dark sort of flash. and the next thing i knew was i was i was on the ground. allen who famously lost his arm in a car crash in 1984, says he was stunned. i reached my hand up into the into the air because i thought i was going to get attacked again. and i just said i am no threat to you. he says it happened fast and he does not believe the 19 year old attacker knew who he was. the teen allegedly knocking him backward, slamming allen's head to the ground before hitting another woman nearby. no motive was given. he's pleaded not guilty. allen's bandmate, guitarist vivian campbell, described the attacker as some kid on spring break who couldn't hold his beer or his drugs. allen says his wife and family are making his recovery possible. oil

an exclusive interview with rick allen, the one on drummer from def leppard. ♪ pour some sugar on mebyron: with his like "pour some sugar on me." his first interview since a brutal attack. >> must have seen that i was not a threat because i have only got one arm. >> byron: how past trauma taught him to heal. >> i started to think about the fact that i'm still here. >> announcer: "nightline" we will be right back. ♪ ♪ when you find your reason to go on, let it pull you past the doubt. past the pain, and past your limits. no matter what, we go on. biofreeze (psst psst) ahhhh... with flonase, allergies don't have to be scary spraying flonase daily gives you long-lasting, non-drowsy relief. (psst psst) flonase. all good. ♪ ♪ >> byron: thank you for joining us. we begin tonight with the women caught in the middle of the hot button issue of abortion. they happen -- they face medical emergencies and were forced to leave their home state of texas. now they are behind the first of its kind lawsuit. here is abc's correspondent rachel scott. >> reporter: for lauren miller the joy of holding her

rick allen is a rock icon. arm. so he knows how to overcome adversity. that skill was put to the test again by that violent assault while on tour. ♪ he is the iconic drummer of def leppard, one of the best selling bands of all time with megahits like "pour some sugar on me." ♪ pour some sugar on me ♪ ♪ in the name of love ♪ >> reporter: but this morning rick allen is recovering and sitting down for his only interview since being attacked in march following the band's show in ft. lauderdale. >> i heard a couple of steps and then i just saw this dark sort of flash. next thing i knew was i was on the ground. i landed on my backside and then continued on. hit my head on the pavement. >> reporter: stunned, rick, who famously lost his arm in a car crash in the '80s, said it happened fast. >> i reach my hand up into the air. i thought i was gonna get attacked again. i just said, i am no threat to you. i don't think he knew who i was. but he must have seen that i wasn't a threat because, you know, i have only got one a

. ♪ for more allen has rocked the world with just one arm. but in march, fort lauderdale, ricklently attacked. he describes what happened only to gma. >> a couple of steps, this dark flash. then i was on the ground. i landed on my backside, continued on, hit my head on the pavement. >> our exquisite interview with def leppard drummer rich -- rick allen coming up. reggie: today, the east bay celebrating a century service with the burial of a time capsule that will be opened by future employees in 2123. yesterday, booths, live performances, and a beer and wine garden which benefits east bay m veer made with -- b water processed by the utility. it features several east bay watersheds. they are also teaming up for a birthday bash in the fairest later this month. jobina: american idol has crowned its winner. he charmed the judges and viewers. george pennacchio has more on the final night of this season of american idol. >> 18-year-old ian tonge new american idol. >> it feels the runners out in the competition loved being here. they are ready and hopeful for what comes next. >> i dis

an exclusive interview with rick allen, the one on drummer from def leppard.