History Music / RickAstley

* SignatureSong: "Never Gonna Give You Up".

After 2 successful dance-pop studio albums Whenever You Need Somebody (1987) and Hold Me in Your Arms (1988) helmed by Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, Astley changed his sound with his third album Free (1991), preferring to focus on ballads. However, fading into obscurity in the 1990s, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became a MemeticMutation, as his video for [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SvJ3fSlXww "Never Gonna Give You Up"]] became part of a popular meme known as {{Rickroll}}ing. Astley was voted by Internet users "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Performed a Rickroll ''live in person'' on the Creator/CartoonNetwork float at the 2008 Macy's UsefulNotes/ThanksgivingDay Parade.

* AscendedMeme: Pretty much cemented when he personally Rickrolled the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 2008.

* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The effect of the live Rickroll was weakened somewhat due to the trailer stating Rick Astley would be making a guest appearance.

* AscendedMeme

* VocalEvolution: As seen in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyMHZVT91Dw this]] video, his voice has gotten lower and more soulful over the years. You can tell because the backing track is in a lower key, and he doesn't hit any of the hight notes (e.g. "You know the rules, and ''so do'' I"). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SvJ3fSlXww And this]] may not even be the same person.

Richard Paul "Rick" Astley (born 6 February 1966, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Astley is married to producer Lene Bausager and has one daughter. Astley has released or appeared on recordings that have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. He is best known for his 1987 hit single in 16 countries, "Never Gonna Give You Up".

* VocalEvolution: As seen in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyMHZVT91Dw this]] video, his voice has gotten lower and more soulful over the years. You can tell because the backing track is in a lower key, and he doesn't hit any of the hight notes (e.g. "You know the rules, and ''so do'' I").

After 2 successful dance-pop studio albums Whenever You Need Somebody (1987) and Hold Me in Your Arms (1988) helmed by Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, Astley changed his sound with his third album Free (1991), preferring to focus on ballads. However, fading into obscurity in the 1990s, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became a MemeticMutation, as his video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" became part of a popular meme known as {{Rickroll}}ing. Astley was voted by Internet users "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Performed a Rickroll ''live in person'' on the Creator/CartoonNetwork float at the 2008 Macy's UsefulNotes/ThanksgivingDay Parade.

* TheChewToy: The saxophonist in "Take Me To Your Heart" just wants a bit part in Rick Astley's music video. Instead, he winds up getting shoved around by everyone (Astley himself) for shoving himself in front of everyone at the most inopportune times.

* CareerResurrection: Probably due to success of the RickRoll, Rick Astley has recorded his first single in 17 years: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgUrqGFxV3Q Lights Out]].

* OneHitWonder: "Never Gonna Give You Up," to some people, especially those who first heard the song after its MemeticMutation.

* TheChewToy: The saxophonist in "Take Me To Your Heart" just wants a bit part in Rick Astley's music video.

After fading into obscurity in the 1990s, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became a MemeticMutation, as his video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" became part of a popular meme known as {{Rickroll}}ing. Astley was voted by Internet users "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Performed a Rickroll ''live in person'' on the Creator/CartoonNetwork float at the 2008 Macy's UsefulNotes/ThanksgivingDay Parade.

* TheChewToy: The saxophonist player in "Take Me To Your Heart" just wants a bit part in Rick Astley's music video.

* VocalDissonance: His singing voice is so deep and it makes such a contrast with his red hair and pale skin, that he was believed to be the front man for a black singer. In fact, this happened when he sent his first tapes to music executives -- he had to sing on-stage to convince them that yes, ''he'' was the one singing.

* SignatureSong: ''Never Gonna Give You Up''
* TheWoobie: That poor saxophonist in ''Take Me To Your Heart'' just wants a bit part...

* CuteClumsyGirl: The leading girl of ''Whenever You Need Somebody''

After fading into obscurity in the 1990s, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became a MemeticMutation, as his video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" became part of a popular meme known as {{Rickroll}}ing. Astley was voted by Internet users "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Performed a Rickroll ''live in person'' on the CartoonNetwork float at the 2008 Macy's UsefulNotes/ThanksgivingDay Parade.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=dQw4w9WgXcQ Never Gonna Give You Up]]

* GrandmaWhatMassiveHotnessYouHave

* OverlyPrepreparedGag: That FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends "lead-up" went on for so long that it would have been perfectly reasonable to turn to another show ''and miss the payoff completely.''

->''[[{{Rickroll}} Duh doom, duh doom]], [[EpicRiff duh doom, pada da da]].''

After fading into obscurity in the 1990s, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became a MemeticMutation, as his video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" became part of a popular meme known as {{Rickroll}}ing. Astley was voted by Internet users "Best Act Ever" at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Performed a Rickroll ''live in person'' on the CartoonNetwork float at the 2008 Macy's ThanksgivingDay Parade.

* SexyBack: Shown in the music video for ''Whenever You Need Somebody''

* CastShowoff: He also drums, as shown briefly in ''Take Me To Your Heart''.

* IAmNotShazam: Thanks to the Rick Rolling meme, casual people tend to refer to Astley as "Rick Roll" or calling the actual song "Rick Roll".