Never

The Autobiography

By: Rick Astley

Narrated by: Rick Astley

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Read by the author, Rick Astley

'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 lad 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.

©2024 Rick Astley (P)2024 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

A different path to cool

I loved how authentic, straightforward and vulnerable Rick Astley is in his book.
Anyone who grew up in the UK in the eighties knows Rick, who was extremely famous for a while and then not so.
Life had soem strange plans, but also some pretty strange beginnings for him, I found this fascinating and heart-warming.

Clean cut Rick

Great voice! Great narration. Story just a bit routine and unassuming: but that’s why we love him. Just a regular bloke but with magnificent vocal ability!

It can be dangerous to “meet” your idols

I approached this book with trepidation. I loved “Never Gonna Give You Up” the very first time I heard/saw the video on tv. I had to buy the cassette the next day and after a week my six year old said “Mommy do we have to listen to this AGAIN?!” I am so, so glad I bought this audiobook. I like Rick as a person and as a performer.

Now a Bigger Fan

Great story, well written and read. Interesting view of the music industry from a humble and talented man. I was a fan before and a bigger fan now.