Pop icon Rick Astley has revealed the emotional roots behind his rise to fame, sharing how a deep family tragedy shaped his path to stardom.
In a candid interview ahead of the release of his memoir Never: The Autobiography, Astley, now 58, discussed how his parents’ heartbreak and the death of his brother before his birth led to their separation when he was very young.
Reflecting on how this affected him, Astley said, “I think it did form me as a person, definitely, and formed a lot of my choices of why I went into music and why I wanted to be on a stage and why I wanted people’s attention – because I don’t think I got enough attention from my parents.”
Born in Newton-le-Willows, Astley shot to global fame at 21 with his chart-topping single Never Gonna Give You Up, a song that sold millions and made him an instant star.
His debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, sold five million copies, cementing his place in pop history.
However, just a few years into his whirlwind career, Astley walked away from the music industry—a decision influenced by becoming a father.
“Even though I was having an amazing career in music, after four or five years of it I’d kind of had enough,” he shared. “Being a parent solidified that for me.”
Astley humorously reflected on his early fame, admitting, “I didn’t do any growing up really… I didn’t do the growing up people normally do when you perhaps go to uni or go to your first few jobs… and find out what you like and who you are.”
In recent years, Astley has found himself back in the spotlight thanks to the viral Rickrolling trend, which has introduced his classic hit Never Gonna Give You Up to a whole new generation.
Despite the renewed attention, Astley says it doesn’t disrupt his life.
“It’s just a really lovely thing that sort of floats through my life but it doesn’t overtake it,” he said with a smile.
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