Trivia

Plays drums, piano/keyboards, guitar and saxophone.

He sang "Never Gonna Give You Up" at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. (November 2008)

His song "Never Gonna Give You Up" has developed a massive cult following over the years. The music video to this song has also become a popular YouTube prank known as "Rickrolling".

His song "Never Gonna Give You Up" won the British Phonographic Industry Award for British Single in 1988.

Enjoys British TV comedies, especially The Young Ones (1982) and The Black Adder (1983) series.

He was singing in the band FBI (who gigged in pubs and clubs) when he was "discovered" by producer Pete Waterman in 1985.

He was hired as a "tape op" at the recording studio was to overcome his shyness.

Before his mainstream success, he was in bands called "FBI" and "Give Way".

Following his sell-out UK tour of 2004, Rick has signed a recording deal with Sony BMG and in September 2005 is due to release a new album. (2005)

Co-wrote the song "Mission Statement" with former Marillion singer Fish (from Fish's 1999 album "Raingods with Zippos").

In a relationship with Lene Bausager since 1988.

Has a daughter named Emilie with wife, Lene Bausager. She was 9 in 2001 when he released the news that he was re-starting his career in music. He and his wife had not yet married at that point.

This British singer was discovered by the hit factory-producers Stock/Aitken/Waterman in 1987. They produced his biggest hits "Never Gonna Give You Up", "Whenever You Need Somebody", "Together Forever" and "My Arms Keep Missing You".

After his song "Never Gonna Give You Up" was released, he topped number one on several radio stations dedicated to different genres, including country and Black music. This was because nobody knew at the time what Astley looked like, which led to people believing that he was an American, if not an African-American. It wasn't until the music video was released that the public finally saw what he really looked like.