The thoughtful and revealing memoir from the 80s pop icon who became a 21st century national treasure, Never charts Rick Astley's complex journey through fame, shame and ultimate acclaim.
'I hadn’t been very comfortable with fame, but I didn’t know what to do with myself after I was famous. On the surface, I was just hugely relieved to be shot of the whole thing. I felt like I’d been let off the hook . . . But underneath that, I was pretty miserable.'
When 'Never Gonna Give You Up’ propelled Rick Astley into the pop stratosphere, it changed his life forever. Nothing could have prepared the young, unassuming boy from Lancashire for what was in store for him. This is Rick's story – in his own words.
At just nineteen, Rick agreed to sign with legendary music producer Pete Waterman – under the wings of music powerhouse Stock Aitken Waterman. Unpredictable, outlandish adventures followed, giving him a peek into the mechanics of the music industry – all of which would eventually take Rick from the shadows of local bands to international stardom. From platinum-selling albums to worldwide tours, the world was at Rick’s feet. And then, suddenly, at what seemed like the height of fame, it wasn’t.
At twenty-seven, Rick retired himself from the industry that had brought him much success and financial stability. Behind the hits and the glitz and glamour was a young man coming to terms with his new-found fame, the realities of life in the pop-music machine and the pressures of life on the road, not to mention reconciling with his childhood spent between his divorced parents in a volatile family dynamic. Time out of the industry offered Rick room for much-needed reflection and therapy – and unknowingly helped to set the stage for his triumphant return to music.
Balancing nostalgia, fresh perspectives and introspection, with a good dose of northern humour, Never is an intimate look at the man behind the hits – and is a portrait of truth, artistic evolution and the astounding power of contentment.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781035049394
Number of pages: 304
Weight: 544 g
Dimensions: 243 x 163 x 30 mm
You wouldn’t get this from any other guy. This nuanced memoir is not your standard pop star autobiography - i
Straight-talking yet frequently astonishing memoir - The Times
A book as idiosyncratic as it is nostalgic - Observer
A lovely portrait of a man who became one of Britain’s most beloved pop stars, despite a brutally difficult upbringing - Hadley Freeman, The Sunday Times
The book is from the heart and not afraid to talk about very life changing moments. It made me cry more than once. Not only was I reading this book for myself but also for my dear friend that as I was explaining to... More
You never know what you going to get with an autobiography some are easy to read and connect with and some are not but "Never" By Rick Astley has to be the most joyful heartwarming and honest books i have... More
I met Rick the first time, even before his first single was released, Pete Waterman had given me a demo cassette, to see if I would take Rick on a Radio Roadshow, no photo, after listening half way through, I replied... More
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