Rick Astley, who has sold over 40 million records worldwide, is enjoying a remarkable career surgence and will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his landmark debut album Whenever You Need Somebody with a remastered and expanded edition to be released May 6 on BMG.
Astley’s 1987 multi-platinum debut topped charts in 25 countries and featured one of the most recognizable singles ever – the worldwide #1 song “Never Gonna Give You Up” – plus hits “Together Forever” and the title track. Pre-order here. Astley is also featured on a 57-date arena tour with New Kids On The Block, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue that kicks off May 10.
Astley returned to music in a big way in 2016, with 50. Entirely written and produced by Astley, the album is certified Platinum. Beautiful Life in 2018 followed, a top 10 UK release. Astley has since played with the Foo Fighters, made international headlines for performing the songs The Smiths with Manchester band Blossoms, soundtracked a key late season scene on Ted Lasso, launched a lockdown video series that’s amassed 10.3 million views on YouTube with a growing catalog of cover songs (including the just-released “abcdefu”), and two fall 2021 concerts —at London’s Wembley Arena and in Manchester—benefitted the UK’s National Health Service.
New Kids On the Block ‘Bring Back The Time’ ft. Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley, En Vogue here:
While Astley continues to make new music, perform, and pursue new ventures, the resonance of his debut recording never fades. Last year, “Never Gonna Give You Up” achieved a rare milestone in becoming one of 23 music videos from the pre-internet era to hit one billion views on YouTube. He has over six million monthly listeners on Spotify and is active on social media, where 2.1 million fans follow him on TikTok. In partnership with Jacqui and Kevin Hughes, Astley also recently launched BUB CLUB. The YouTube channel for pre-schoolers shows animations filled with original music and enhanced versions of classic nursery rhymes and songs. Astley is also co-writing and co-producing new songs for BUB CLUB.
Astley will tour with New Kids On The Block and Salt-N-Pepa starting in May.
Check out Rick Astley’s ‘Together Forever’ here: