Rick Astley

Rick Astley
Astley at Glastonbury Festival 2023
Born
Richard Paul Astley

(1966-02-06) 6 February 1966 (age 58)
Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • radio personality
Years active
  • 1985–1993
  • 2000–present
Spouse
Lene Bausager
​
(m. 2003)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
  • guitar
DiscographyRick Astley discography
Labels
Websiterickastley.co.uk

Richard Paul Astley (born 6 February 1966) is an English singer, radio DJ and podcaster.[1] He gained fame through his association with the production trio Stock Aitken Waterman, releasing the 1987 album Whenever You Need Somebody, which sold 15 million copies worldwide and was certified Platinum by both the BPI and the RIAA. His debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" was a No. 1 hit in over 25 countries, winning the 1988 Brit Award for Best British Single.[2][3] The song also stayed at the top of the UK chart for five weeks in 1987 and was the best-selling single of that year. His 1988 single "Together Forever" also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and was one of his eight songs to reach the UK Singles Chart Top 10.

In 1988, Astley followed up his debut album with Hold Me in Your Arms which achieved Platinum and Gold certifications internationally. The lead single "She Wants to Dance with Me" became a worldwide Top 10 hit. In 1991, he left Stock Aitken Waterman moving his musical direction towards soul, which he explored on his other albums. His 1991 single "Cry for Help" was Astley's last single to reach the Top 10 in either the US or UK. In 1993, he retired from music to focus on spending time with his partner and daughter. He returned to the music industry in 2000 and released 50 to celebrate his 50th birthday in 2016, with the album debuting in the UK at No. 1.[4] His most recent studio album Are We There Yet? was released in 2023.[5]

Astley has sold approximately 40 million records worldwide and was nominated in 1989 for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist but lost to Tracy Chapman.[6][7] During the period between his debut release and his fifth single, Astley outsold every other artist in the world.[8] In the United Kingdom, Astley was also in the Top 40 every week for the first six months of his career.[3] He became an internet phenomenon in 2007 following the emergence of the Rickrolling meme, which utilizes the music video for "Never Gonna Give You Up",[9] and his career was revitalised by the meme's popularity. A year after the Rickrolling meme began, he was voted "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008.[10] On 28 July 2021, "Never Gonna Give You Up" became the fourth 1980s song to reach one billion views on YouTube.[a]

  1. ^ "Rick Astley to join Greatest Hits Radio for special New Year's Eve show". Greatest Hits Radio. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Biography". Mike Stock Music. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  3. ^ a b Rickastley.com – Biography Retrieved 28 April 2010. Archived 10 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference 50no1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Rick Astley's best songs that aren't 'Never Gonna Give You Up'". Tone Deaf. 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ^ Shropshire Star.com – 7 June 2008 Archived 10 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  7. ^ Liverpool Echo – 12 November 2007 Archived 5 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Ask Rick Astley". Sunday Sun. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  9. ^ Rick Biografia Archived 21 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. VH1 Spañol (undated). Retrieved 27 December 2006.
  10. ^ "Astley shortlisted for MTV award". BBC News. 2 October 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  11. ^ Spangler, Todd (29 July 2021). "Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' Rolls Past 1 Billion YouTube Views". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.


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