http://go.rrstar.com/fe/0624def.asp By PAUL ANTHONY ARCO, Rockford Register Star As 22-year-old twins, J.R. and Gabe Boyer unsurprisingly share things in common. Both are passionate about 1980s rock band Def Leppard. "Gabe is the fanatic," said J.R. "He knows every minute detail about them." Born two months premature, both also use wheelchairs because of cerebral palsy, a condition that prevents the brain from adequately controlling body movement and posture. So the Boyer brothers can relate to Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. Injured in a 1984 automobile accident that claimed his left arm, Allen founded the Raven Drum Foundation a year ago to help people with disabilities. Allen's charitable efforts yielded backstage access for the Boyers and eight other folks from the Rock River Valley when Def Leppard played the MetroCentre Saturday. Rockford was just the third event of its kind. Allen and charity partner Bright Star Foundation selected RAMP (Regional Access & Mobilization Project), a local nonprofit center that helps people with disabilities live independently through training, education, outreach and advocacy. Couldn't believe it Weeks before Def Leppard's appearance, Nicole Hytinen, RAMP's marketing coordinator, received an e-mail from Jan Spencer, a volunteer from Bright Star's Midwest chapter, relaying the good news. "I couldn't believe it," said Hytinen, 22, a Def Leppard fan since age 8. Hytinen grew more excited as plans unfolded. RAMP could invite 10 guests who would have access to Def Leppard's sound check, a meet-and-greet with Allen and prime seats to the show. RAMP also would receive a share of any donations made to the organizations that night. "The money is just a small part of it," Hytinen said. "It's about creating awareness for RAMP." Hytinen spent two weeks getting ready. The hardest part was selecting four staff members to serve as chaperones to their six guests. She held a lottery. Patti Wilburn, an office assistant, became one of the lucky ones when another co-worker gave up her chance. "My husband is really jealous," Wilburn said backstage Saturday night. "He's a huge fan." Giving back Rick Allen joined Def Leppard as a fresh-faced, 15-year-old drummer in November 1978. In the following decade, the band was one of heavy metal's most popular acts with radio-friendly hits such as "Photograph." Over the years, Def Leppard endured its share of VH1-special hardships, including Allen's accident. Doctors had tried to reattach his left arm, without success. At 39, Allen has a worldly perspective on life, far beyond the reaches of any arena in any city. "I had times when I really doubted whether I would play the drums again," he said Saturday while sitting behind his drums on stage four hours before show time. "I had a friend visit me in the hospital who noticed that I was tapping my feet in bed. He thought we could make a set of foot petals which would allow me to continue playing the drums. That spurred me on. My brother brought my stereo system and favorite music to the hospital. All the information was in my head. I just had to train myself to use my left foot instead of my left arm." In nearly 20 years since his accident, Allen has maintained a passion for music, and now he shares that love with other people with disabilities. "These kids are really special," he said. "To see their bright, smiling faces is really good for me. This is my way of giving back to the community because it's always been good to me." Show time Hours before the concert, Gabe Boyer received his own good news: Another invited guest had backed out. Could he go? Only if his brother could drive. This meant J.R. had to get a van, since his 1993 Ford Taurus can hold only one wheelchair. "I don't like to drive the van because it's hard to navigate in downtown traffic," J.R. said. "But I wasn't going to say no to my brother. As elated as he was, I was even happier he could come." While 2,500 fans paid to see Def Leppard, it was a small group from RAMP who got a full day'sworth. For some, it was their first concert, or the first time they had come face to face with a rock star. And it netted RAMP about $500. But this night was more about spirit and hope than money and concert T-shirts. It was about new friendships and understanding the struggles of others. "I don't think about it because this is the only way I go through life," J.R. Boyer said. "Look at Rick. Most people would have thrown in the towel years ago. But he fought through it. For a drummer to play with one arm is inspiring. He's overcome and he's adapted to his disability." Fan profiles Gabe Boyer Age: 22 Residence: Loves Park Of note: Works with teenagers with physical and developmental disabilities for the Rockford Park District. Comment: "I've been a fan since I was 17. On every Def Leppard CD, there are a couple of songs that hit you just right." J.R. Boyer Age: 22 Residence: Loves Park Of note: 1998 graduate of Harlem High School in Machesney Park, member of the Rockford Chariots wheelchair basketball team. Comment: "When I found out we were coming to the concert I was flabbergasted. I'm like "Where do I sign?'" Eric Brown Age: 17 Residence: South Beloit Of note: Senior at Hononegah High School in Rockton. Involved with the Junior Chariots basketball team for seven years. Comment: "I've never listened to Def Leppard. I'm more into hip-hop. But I was surprised how welcoming the band was to us." Cameron Gross Age: 18 Residence: Harvard Of note: Recent graduate of Harvard High School. Was involved with two service clubs -- Interact Club and Students Leading Students -- that benefit those in need through special events. Enjoys wheelchair basketball and plans to attend college. Comment: "I've seen Three Doors Down and Creed in concert. This was cool, too. My Dad wanted to come. He's a big fan." Michael Hedrick Age: 18 Residence: Rockford Of note: A recent home-school graduate who enjoys playing wheelchair basketball. Comment: "I used to listen to Def Leppard when I was in my mother's womb. I've been a fan my whole life." Alex Konitski Age: 11 Residence: Rockford Of note: Sixth-grader at Lincoln Middle School. Enjoys hand cycling, computers and Nintendo. Recently joined the Junior Chariots. Comment: "I had never heard of Def Leppard. But it's cool to meet a rock star, and the concert was really loud." How Saturday unfolded Saturday was a busy day for the folks at RAMP. The day started at 7:30 a.m. as preparations began for the organization's annual Wheel-A-Thon fund-raiser. Eight hours later, four staff members and six of their guests headed to the MetroCentre for an up-close encounter with rock band Def Leppard, known for hits such as "Rock of Ages" and "Foolin'." Here is a look at what transpired that evening. 4 p.m.: One by one, RAMP staff members and guests congregate outside the MetroCentre. Tressie Nesemeier, building project coordinator for RAMP, tells the group that daughter, Amber, 17, saw her first Def Leppard concert at the age of 5. This time, Amber, who's volunteering to work the RAMP booth inside the arena, will meet Def Leppard. 4:15 p.m.: The RAMP 12-person entourage, including a Register Star reporter and photographer, is ushered into the arena's lobby, where they meet Jan Spencer, volunteer for the Bright Star Foundation, who goes over ground rules and the agenda. 4:30 p.m.: Spencer leads the group into the arena for Def Leppard's preconcert sound check. About 50 people are there, including the band roadies who are prepping the stage and testing equipment, as well as radio contest winners and two members of a Janesville, Wis.-based production company hired to do a documentary on Def Leppard's charity work. Drummer Rick Allen is seated behind his drum set, conducting an interview with a local television station. The other members of Def Leppard have yet to appear. 4:50 p.m.: The rest of the band emerges from their dressing rooms. Ollie, the service dog for John Beck, RAMP's development director, is startled by the thunder of the first drumbeat. Ollie is escorted from the arena. As the band rolls through four songs from the concert play list, lead singer Joe Elliott sips from a cup of hot tea to soothe his strained voice. After the 20-minute rehearsal, Allen, wearing a T-shirt, baggy shorts and flip flops, makes his way over to the RAMP party, where introductions are made. 5:30 p.m.: The group is herded to the upper concourse, where Allen and guests form a drum circle while nearby vendors set up their wares. The RAMP group is tentative to join Allen in the jam session. Reluctantly, each takes his turn, including Bob McGhee, RAMP personal assistance coordinator. "Do I look like I have rhythm?" he asks Allen. "Do I?" Allen replies. Allen signs memorabilia and poses for pictures with each member of the RAMP party before heading backstage. 6:30 p.m.: The MetroCentre doors open, and fans slowly stream in. Volunteers work at the RAMP and Bright Star booths, where fans can buy chances at backstage passes to be used after the show. Members of the RAMP party wait near the escalator, laughing and teasing each other. 7:30 p.m.: Opening act Ricky Warwick takes the stage but many fans are still mingling in the upper concourse. A handful of people are waiting at the nonprofit booths as the winners of the backstage passes and autographed memorabilia are announced. 8:30 p.m.: Def Leppard begins its two-hour set with "Let It Go." The RAMP group is seated near the left of the stage. Later, some move to the other side of the arena for a better view. 10:15 p.m.: The crowd erupts during "Pour Some Sugar On Me" as the concert nears its end. J.R. Boyer, seated next to his brother, Gabe, voices his approval of the song by rocking up and down in his wheelchair. 10:45 p.m.: The group heads backstage for one more meeting with Allen. Cheap Trickster Rick Nielsen comes over to greet the Boyer brothers as about a dozen other fans line up against the wall to meet the band. The RAMP group and contest winners are moved into the lobby to wait for Allen. When he arrives, Allen patiently signs T-shirts and posters as he is bombarded with stories, memories and questions from every fan. He warmly greets one young boy who is missing his right arm. "We could be bookends," Allen says as the boy smiles. 11:20 p.m.: More than six hours after first meeting the RAMP party, Allen says his goodbyes. "I think we did good today," Allen tells the group. Sandwiched between the Boyers, Allen gives Gabe a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I'm blessed. I get to do what I like to do and I get to meet guys like you." -- Paul Arco, Life & Style Volunteer links charity, celebrities By PAUL ANTHONY ARCO, Rockford Register Star Def Leppard's recent appearance in Rockford was a homecoming for Jan Spencer, Midwest chapter director for the Bright Star Foundation, a Dallas-based organization that facilitates charitable opportunities for musical artists including Def Leppard, Journey and Default. Spencer, 34, graduated from Harlem High School in Machesney Park in 1986. At 19, she attended a school in Vancouver, British Columbia, to learn more about the technical aspects of the recording industry. Since then, she has worked for personal managers, music retail outlets, an independent record label and various radio stations, including WROK-AM in 1995 as the board operator for the weekend overnight shift. It was during a stint with a Madison radio station that Spencer met Dawn Purtee, who founded the Bright Star Foundation in 1993. The two hit it off, and Spencer became a part of the team. "Jan is the kind of person I pray for," Purtee said. "She is incredible. I ask 120 percent from my volunteers. We have to be professional, and we work with the music industry, which can be nutty at times." Like all members of Bright Star's staff, Spencer is an unpaid volunteer. She makes her living working full time for a credit card processing company in Madison. This year, Spencer met Def Leppard in Wisconsin, and a partnership was born between Bright Star and drummer Rick Allen's charity, the Raven Drum Foundation. So far, Spencer has worked with Def Leppard and local charities in three cities: Fort Wayne, Ind., Moline and Rockford. More special events are being planned. While Spencer may one day be compensated for her efforts, for now, helping people in need is the greatest reward. "I've been around bands and music most of my life," she said, "but to see these kids get this opportunity and to see the smiles on their faces is the best." Copyright © 2001 Rockford Register Star.