Rick Astley via his Facebook page
Thanks to the reception of his recent comeback album, 50, Rick Astley will tour the U.S. for the first time since 1989, the latest development in a remarkable comeback year for the English pop singer. The LP was Astley’s first U.S. album release in decades and yielded a three-song performance on NBC’s The Today Show. The album debuted at #1 in the U.K.
Astley’s 18-date run began January 21 and ended February 18, 2016. But he’s got 2019 dates scheduled in the U.K. and Europe. (See the complete itinerary below. Tickets are available here.
Astley has sold a reported 40+ million records. He holds the distinction of being the first male solo artist to see his first eight singles reach the UK Top 10. He was just 21-years-old when, as part of the Stock-Aitken-Waterman hit factory, his “Never Gonna Give You Up” became a huge worldwide hit in 1987. The single hit #1 in 16 countries including two weeks at the top of the U.S. chart. The follow-up, “Together Forever,” was also #1 for two weeks in the U.S.
The 7″ sleeve for Astley’s breakthrough single
Best Classic Bands‘ Founder Greg Brodsky was one of a small team at RCA Records that helped launched Astley’s career in the U.S. in 1987. “We received ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ from RCA U.K. and we immediately thought ‘smash,'” he says. “A bunch of us in marketing, [radio] promotion, dance and sales knew what we had on our hands and made it a huge priority at the label. We brought him to New York to do interviews and took him around; he was so young… I’m not sure if he realized at the time how big the record was becoming.”
Decades later, a phenomenon known as “Rickrolling” began in which Internet users clicking on a link unwittingly were shown the “Never Gonna Give You Up” video when they expected to see something else.
Do not click here.
50 first came together in 2015, as Astley began penning new songs in his home studio. He ended up writing all of the songs and performed every instrument on the album.
Watch Rick’s recently released video for “Pray With Me,” which was filmed at the Theater at the Ace Hotel with a local choir.
Rick performed select album release shows in New York and Los Angeles earlier this year, which were met with raves: “Triumphant…age has given Astley’s still-mighty baritone an added richness and depth,” wrote Rolling Stone. He surprised the audience one night when he sang AC/DC’s signature hit “Highway to Hell” at West Hollywood’s Troubadour—while playing the drums!
Rick Astley 2019 Tour Dates:
May 23 – Milton Keynes, UK – MK Dons Stadium
May 25-26 – Southampton, UK – St. Mary’s Stadium
May 28 – Bristol, UK – Ashton Gate
May 30 – Norwich, UK – Carrow Road Stadium
Jun 01 – Middlesbrough, UK – Riverside Stadium
Jun 04 – Huddersfield, UK – John Smith’s Stadium
Jun 06 – Liverpool, UK – Anfield
Jun 08 – Cardiff, UK – Principality Stadium
June 13-16 – Newport, UK – Isle of Wight Festival
Jun 27-29 Odense V, Denmark – Tinderbox Festival
Jul 13 – Tynemouth, UK – Mouth of the Tyne Festival
Jul 14 – Richmond Upon Thames, UK – Kew Gardens
Jul 20 – Newtown-Le-Willows, UK – Haydock Park Racecourse
Jul 28 – Sitges, Spain – Jardins Terramar
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