Rick Astley
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One of the music industry’s most distinctive voices, Rick Astley has left an indelible mark on pop-culture since his emergence into the limelight nearly three decades ago.
With well over 40 million records sold, and an enviable back-catalogue of chart-topping hits, Astley remains one of the most successful solo artists to have ever emerged from these isles, and holds the distinction of being the first male solo artist to see his first eight singles reach the UK Top Ten.
Raised in the inauspicious surrounds of Newton-Le-Willows, deep in Lancashire coal-mining country, Rick honed his craft on the regional music circuit as a fresh-faced teen. Performing first in his local church choir, and then on drums with soul band FBI, Astley soon became a familiar face for music fans in pubs and clubs across the North of England. However, it would take the unexpected departure of FBI’s vocalist to allow Astley to first step up and take centre-stage.
Blowing over audiences with that soon-to-be-familiar rich baritone married with a stage presence that belied his tender years, it wasn’t long before producers came calling. An offer to work alongside renowned hitmaker Pete Waterman soon followed – a move that would transform the young artist’s life forever.
Just twenty-one years old when he unleashed the iconic “Never Gonna Give You Up”; few debut singles have had the impact of Astley’s. Taking instant residence in the charts; the smash became the UK’s biggest selling single of 1987, going on to hit number one in 16 countries. The song became the centrepiece of debut album “Whenever You Need Somebody”.
The album would go on to sell an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, establishing Astley within the industry elite as one of the most exciting new acts on the planet. Making waves across the Atlantic, hits “It Would Take A Strong Strong Man” and “Together Forever” won acclaim stateside, cracking the US Top 10, and earning Astley a coveted Grammy nomination for ‘Best New Artist’ in the process.
Any worries of a sophomore slump were allayed by the swift critical praise for follow-up album “Hold Me In Your Arms”, led by its Top 10-charting titular single. Further hits “She Wants To Dance With Me” and “Take Me To Your Heart” became firm fan favourites, as Astley took them on the road on his first sell-out world tour.
Astley expanded his musical horizons throughout the ‘90s, delving deeper into his love for soul. First came the deeply personal “Free”, collaborating with legends Elton John and Andrea Crouch and containing a number of self-penned tracks; followed hot on its heels by “Body And Soul”, cementing his reputation with further hits “The Ones You Love” and “Hopelessly”.
Re-emerging into the spotlight in 2001, after a prolonged sabbatical to concentrate on raising his family, album “Keep It Turned On” proved a comprehensive demonstration of his unique versatility, boasting a bold new mix of dance tracks, club hits, and ballads. Continuing to defy expectations, Astley then turned his attentions towards covering classics with his latest studio effort “Portrait”: putting his inimitable mark on old favourites from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Carpenters.
Evidence of his enduring popularity came with confirmation that his “Greatest Hits” compilation, released in 2002, had gone gold. Later, propelled by the “Never Gonna Give You Up”’s second life as an internet phenomenon - re-entering the charts a full two decades after its initial release – Astley made a full-time return to performing live. He has since sold out arenas on almost every continent, wowing fans in Argentina, Japan, Australia, and beyond.
2016 has seen Rick return with a bang! Not only did he release his latest Number 1 album ‘50’ which has sold an astonishing 150,000 copies becoming the 8th best-selling album in the UK this year, but also sell out all 21 dates of his 2017 UK tour, propelling him back in the limelight. With TV appearances including Children in Need, Strictly Come Dancing and his singles all over the radio, Rick Astley shows no sign of slowing down in 2017.
Rick Astley
Rick Astley is an English singer and songwriter who broke through in the late 1980s with a run of pop singles and a baritone singing voice. Never Gonna Give You Up made him an international name and quickly became the song most closely tied to his career.1
Part of what made him memorable was how distinct he sounded on the radio. At a time when pop was full of bright, fast-moving production, Astley’s deep voice gave the tracks a sense of balance.
Secure Rick Astley tickets on AXS to hear the songs that shaped his career.
Rick Astley’s Background
Astley was born Richard Paul Astley in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, on 6 February 1966.1 He began his music career as a drummer in local bands, then moved into a lead vocal role. That change opened the door to a very different career.
After connecting with producer Pete Waterman, he entered the Stock Aitken Waterman camp and began recording as a solo artist. His debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, was released in 1987 and became a major commercial success.2
Rick Astley’s Awards
Astley’s first wave of success was recognised quickly. Awards bodies in the UK and the US responded to the scale of his early breakthrough, and those honours still mark out how strongly his debut period landed.
- BRIT Award – Best British Single (1988): Never Gonna Give You Up won this award after becoming one of the year’s biggest British pop singles.3
- MTV Europe Music Award — Best Act Ever (2008): Rick Astley won this fan-voted honour, recognising his enduring global popularity and the lasting impact of his music career.3
- GRAMMY Award – Best New Artist Nominee (1989): He received the nomination at the 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards, showing that his early success had registered well beyond the UK.4
Rick Astley’s Biggest Hits
The best-known Rick Astley songs mostly come from the early phase of his recording career. They established his public identity and still do much of the work when people think of his catalogue.
- Never Gonna Give You Up (1987): This single reached number 1 in multiple countries and became the defining hit of Astley’s career.2
- Together Forever (1988): The song followed his breakthrough with another major success and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.2
- She Wants to Dance With Me (1988): Written by Astley, this single highlighted his role as both a songwriter and a performer.1
See Rick Astley Live
Astley’s live shows generally centre on the songs audiences know best, backed by a full band and a simplistic stage approach that keeps the focus on the music. The setlists often mix familiar singles with other selections from across his catalogue.
Find Rick Astley tickets on AXS to hear his expansive catalogue in a live setting.