Rick Astley Embraces 60 with 'No Regrets' After Meme-Fuelled Comeback
Eighties pop sensation Rick Astley has candidly discussed his unexpected career resurgence, driven by the viral 'Rickrolling' phenomenon, as he prepares to celebrate his 60th birthday. The singer, famed for his 1987 global smash Never Gonna Give You Up, left the music industry in the early 1990s but found himself thrust back into the spotlight thanks to an internet craze.
The Rickrolling Revival
Astley revealed that a family holiday in Italy became a pivotal moment when a friend sent him the meme that would redefine his legacy. The 'Rickroll' trick, which exploded online after a 2008 YouTube April Fool's prank, involved deceiving users into listening to his signature song. "The Rickrolling thing was just completely bonkers," Astley recalls. "It kind of made me come out of my shell." Having retired to focus on family life, the internet sensation reignited his passion for performance.
From Hiatus to Headliner
Despite initial hesitation, Astley's return to music gained unstoppable momentum. In 2023, he achieved a career pinnacle by headlining the iconic Glastonbury Festival on the Pyramid Stage. Reflecting on the nerve-wracking experience, he shared advice from his daughter: "She told me to 'just go and enjoy it like you would any gig, like playing in a pub'." His set, blending his own hits with covers of Harry Styles and AC/DC, was met with ecstatic crowds. He later delivered a surprise Smiths covers set with the band Blossoms on the Woodsies Stage, a performance hailed by fans as a festival highlight.
A Stock Aitken Waterman Prodigy
Astley's origins trace back to Newton-le-Willows in Lancashire, where he grew up in a family-run garden centre. Discovered by Pete Waterman during a 'Battle of the Bands' competition, he quickly became a staple of the famed Stock Aitken Waterman hit factory. His debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, topped charts in the UK and Australia, while his follow-up, Hold Me in Your Arms, achieved platinum and gold certifications worldwide.
The Soulful Departure and Return
By 1991, Astley departed SAW to explore his soul influences, scoring a top 10 hit with Cry For Help. However, the rise of boybands like Take That led to a loss of confidence, and he abruptly cancelled plans to move to America in 1993. "I just went home," he admits, entering a period of hibernation with his partner and young daughter. The Rickrolling meme of 2007 slowly rekindled his joy for singing, leading to a 2016 comeback album, 50, which debuted at number one in the UK. "I thought I'd be releasing it out of the back of a van," he says of its unexpected success.
Collaborations and Future Tours
Astley's resurgence has been marked by notable collaborations, including a 2018 Hyde Park performance with longtime friend Kylie Minogue. Now, as he turns 60, he is gearing up for a 12-date UK and Ireland tour, The Reflection Tour, launching in April. With a philosophy of no regrets, Astley laughs: "I'm too old to give a sh** anymore!" Fans can rest assured, the comeback kid who retired over three decades ago shows no signs of giving up his second act.
