Rick Astley: interesting facts, best songs, biography, listen

Rick Astley

Surprise and pleasure - literally such emotions embrace when you first encounter the works of young Rick Astley. At the sight of a simple guy with a shock of red hair, you do not expect to hear a strong, voluminous baritone - a voice that is more associated with adult men. But this is how the British sang and sings. Unfortunately, his star burned briefly in the musical sky. What is the reason for the loss of popularity and what is the famous singer of the 80s doing now, read on our page.

short biography

Richard Paul Astley was born in the city of Newton-le-Willows in Great Britain. His first cry was heard on February 6, 1966. It so happened that the boy's parents divorced when he was not even 5 years old. But contrary to stereotypes, Rick began to educate his father, not his mother.

His passion for music of the future musician began with the local church choir, where he sang with other children. At that time, Richard was a 10-year-old boy. New experience and desire to sing prompted him to create his own musical group, and not even one where he performed as a drummer.

The experience of the drummer did not pass for Rick Astley without a trace. In 1985, he was accepted into the FBI group to play the drum set. But he soon replaced the place of the drummer with a vocalist. Simultaneously, he is noticed by Pete Waterman, a famous British producer. Together with Mike Stoke and Matt Aitken, he was engaged in the promotion of artists and opened up new stars to the world. This collaboration will bring widespread popularity to the young Rick Astley. But not at once.

At first, the young man simply studied studio work, delved into the details and recorded songs that were not particularly unwound. This state of affairs lasted 2 years. Success came along with the song "Never Gonna Give You Up", the words to which were written by Rick himself. After the release of the single Astley woke up famous. In addition to the honorary first place in the British charts, he reached the highest line in 24 countries. Incendiary song has become popular in the United States and Australia. Needless to say that the debut album of a young singer with a strong and expressive voice led the hit parade of his native Britain?

The demand for musician grew: in 1988, his songs were heard more often than others on American radio; albums reached platinum and gold statuses at home and across the ocean. But the fame of the young singer did not give rest to journalists. Rather, they wanted to show Rick a puppet in the hands of sly producers. Press attacks have done their job: Astley breaks the contrast with Pete Waterman’s company and decides to work independently.

Drastic measures touched the singer’s appearance and creativity: he grew hair and began to perform soul instead of disco dance rhythms. In 1991, Rick released his 3rd studio album "Free", which was worked on in collaboration with Elton John and other musicians. Unfortunately, the public reacted to the new creation of the musician without much interest. Only the song "Cry for Help" managed to reach the 7th line both in the USA and in Britain, for the rest the album marked the decline of Rick Astley's popularity.

An attempt to reclaim the love of fans was made in 1993 - a new CD by the musician "Body and Soul" appeared on the shelves of music stores. He did not bring the expected success, although by the time the album was sold, the singer decided to abandon his musical career and devote time to his family.

For about 5 years, fans have not heard anything about the musician, the press has forgotten about him and his recent hits. But Rick decided to return to the stage and record a new album. The collection was released at the end of 2001. Next, the singer released a disc of his hits, which received virtually no gold status in the UK.

Has Rick Astley succeeded? No, the high lines of the charts were far. Although someone's online joke allowed him to feel famous again. In 2007, a wave of "rikrolling" swept the world: a link was posted on the sites, which supposedly led to a certain movie. In fact, the transition through it led to the clip "Never Gonna Give You Up".

The drawing led to a surge in popularity and ... annoyance from the public. But the musician did not lose heart and continued to perform.

In 2016, Rick Astley turned 50 years old. In honor of this event, he released a new album with the same name. The new work of the singer reached the top of the British charts and became a gift for his fans. In addition, now his original vocals began to match the appearance, which adds to the image of Rick harmony. This musician is not going to stop.

Interesting Facts

• In June 2017, Rick performed at a Robbie Williams concert. Two famous artists sang a duet "Never Gonna Give You Up" under the stormy support of the hall.
• After graduating from school, Rick received a driver's position on his father’s farm. During the day, he performed his work duties, and in the evening he enthusiastically played the drums in local institutions.
• Rick is married to film producer Lene Boseuger, an acquaintance with which took place in the late 80s. The couple is still together. The fruit of their love was Emily’s daughter, born in 1992.
• Rick Astley became the first Briton, whose first two tracks topped the American charts.
• How did Rick feel about rikrolling? Quite normal. The singer even participated in such an event live. In 2009, an annual parade was held in honor of Thanksgiving Day: a grand march passed through the streets of New York, the artists sang songs and danced. Suddenly, the musical accompaniment of the parade broke off and Rick appeared, performing the soundtrack of his most successful song.
• Rick also owes Melania Trump a surge in the popularity of the song “Never Gonna Give You Up”. During one speech, the first lady of the United States quoted the words of a famous composition. After this download hit increased by 19%. Astley himself doubts that Melania did it intentionally. Most likely, this is an accident.
• The album "50" includes songs completely written by a musician in a home studio. But that's not all. Playing all the instruments that sound in the songs is also his doing. The result was a collection of personal songs filled with lyrics and good mood. Rick honestly admits that he did not count on the first place in the British charts.
• The first broadcast of the clip Rick Astley in the United States caused bewilderment among the audience. They thought they were being deceived, and in fact Rick was a figurehead, and a black singer sings instead.
• In 2008, Rick won the award "Best Singer of All Time", but did not come for the award. The award was organized by the MTV Europe Awards in the UK.
• Rick's earliest recording was recorded by a duet with Lisa Carter. Together they sang "When You Gonna".
• Why did Rick Astley decide to leave music at the age of 27? To this question, the musician gives a concise answer: he did not want to do the same thing for a long time. Aside, there was another life, friends, family — something that the young man lacked, caught up in the whirlpool of popularity.
• Rick does not like to talk about his childhood. He associates this time with pain: the divorce of parents, the death of a brother, life together with his father, when his mother lived in the same city in the house of his grandmother ... And he experienced all this as a little boy.
• A white long cloak in which Rick dances in the clip "Never Gonna Give You Up" was stolen. It happened in Ireland while the singer was involved in a radio program.
• To the question: who could play you in a film about your life, Rick gave a very interesting answer: Cate Blanchett or Mike Myers.

Best Rick Astley Songs

• "Never Gonna Give You Up" - the main single in the work of the musician. And the matter is not only in the meme that haunted Internet users for a long time. The point is in the voice, the rustic appearance and the uncomplicated dance movements of the young man who appeared before us in the video. On July 27, 2017, on his twitter, Rick noted that he sang his famous hit exactly 30 years ago.

"Never Gonna Give You Up" (listen)

• "Together Forever" or "Together forever" - Astley's second successful single, which reached number 1 in America after "Never Gonna Give You Up". But in England, the single won the second place. From the pedestal, he was dismissed by Kylie Minogue, who collaborated with the same producers as Rick. "Together Forever" is very similar in tune to the main hit of the British. Apparently, the studio decided to repeat the previous success, and she did it.

"Together Forever" (listen)

• "It would take a strong strong man" - more relaxed composition compared to the previous ones in the list. Despite this, they all entered the singer's debut album. It is noteworthy that this song was recorded specifically for the countries of North America, where they fell in love with the public. What is the single about? About love, parting and unbearable longing. In general, in the spirit of the young Rick Astley.
• "Sleeping" - one of the songs from which Rick returned to the music world in the early 2000s. She didn’t take high positions in the charts, but she is known to many thanks to the remix of American DJ Todd Terry. He literally turned it into a hit, without which no dance party could do.

"Sleeping" (listen)

• "Cry For Help" - a favorite composition of many fans of the musician. This is a single from the third album, recorded after parting with the producers. The song is performed in the genre of soul with the involvement of the choir Andra Crouch - American evangelist. Beautiful sound, great vocals and ... the end of the era of young Rick Astley. This song for the singer was the last in the list of hits included in the top ten charts in his homeland and in the United States.

Films about Rick Astley and his participation

The famous Briton was engaged exclusively in musical career. His filmography includes only clips, which number more than 10. Although he once appeared in the short film “Big Brother”. It happened in 2014. The singer got the role of himself.

Rick Astley's Music in Movies

Songs that have become hits, will certainly become the focus of filmmakers. Creativity Rick Astley was no exception. His compositions are also used as soundtracks.

There is a much longer list of TV series where you can hear the voice of this British: "The Simpsons", "South Park", "Residents of the East End" and others. But the advantage in them is “Never Gonna Give You Up”. What does this mean? On the high popularity of the composition, with the sounds of which you want to start dancing.

Rick Astley's creative journey is amazing. It has a great success, and attempts to change the music genre, and a long career break, and even the impact of Internet space on career development. Unchanged remains rich vocals, which you want to listen endlessly.