Rick Astley
Starting his career as a drummer for a local band, Rick Astley was discovered by producer Pete Waterman in 1985. He then joined the production team of Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) and worked as a “tea boy” while learning the ropes of the music industry. In 1987, Astley’s debut single, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” was released, becoming a global smash hit and topping charts in 25 countries. He followed this success with his debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, which sold 15.2 million copies worldwide. His second album, Hold Me in Your Arms, was released in 1989, solidifying his status as a major pop star before he eventually left SAW.
