‘A straight-talking yet frequently astonishing memoir’ – The Times

‘A book as idiosyncratic as it is nostalgic’ – The Observer

When ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ propelled Rick Astley into the pop stratosphere, it irrevocably changed his life. Nothing could have prepared the boy from Lancashire for what was in store for him.

At just nineteen years old, Rick agreed to sign with legendary production team Stock Aitken Waterman, giving him a peek into the mechanics of the music industry and eventually leading him to platinum-selling albums and global tours. To outsiders, it would appear that the world was at Rick’s feet. Then, suddenly, at the height of his fame, it wasn’t.

Behind the hits and the glitz and glamour was a young man coming to terms with his new-found fame, the realities of a career in the pop-music machine and the pressures of life on the road, not to mention the fallout from a childhood spent torn between divorced parents in a volatile family dynamic. Time away from the industry offered Rick room for much-needed reflection – and, unknowingly, helped set the stage for his triumphant return to music.

Never balances nostalgia, fresh perspectives and introspection, with a good dose of northern humour. An intimate look at the man behind the hits, this is Rick’s story, in his own words.

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.