Rick Astley Celebrates 35th Anniversary Of His Landmark Multi-Platinum 1987 Debut Whenever You Need Somebody With Reissued And Enhanced 2-CD/Digital Set (May 20 / BMG)
WATCH THE 4K MUSIC VIDEO FOR “TOGETHER FOREVER” HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYZpwSpKmA
JOINS NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, SALT-N-PEPA AND EN VOGUE FOR 57-DATE U.S. ARENA TOUR MAY-JULY
March 23, 2022— Rick Astley, who has sold over 40 million records worldwide, is enjoying a remarkable career surgence and will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his landmark debut album Whenever You Need Somebody with a remastered and expanded edition to be released May 20 on BMG. Astley’s 1987 multi-platinum debut topped charts in 25 countries and featured one of the most recognizable singles ever - the worldwide #1 song “Never Gonna Give You Up” - plus hits “Together Forever” and the title track. Pre-order here. Astley is also featured on a 57-date arena tour with New Kids On The Block, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue that kicks off May 10.
A new 4K version of his classic “Together Forever” music video has also been shared, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYZpwSpKmA
Astley returned to music in a big way in 2016, with 50. Entirely written and produced by Astley, the album is certified Platinum, was a #1 UK hit that sold over 400,000 copies and led to performances on Good Morning America, a feature in the New Yorker and far beyond. Beautiful Life in 2018 followed, a top 10 UK release. Astley has since played with the Foo Fighters, made international headlines for performing the songs The Smiths with Manchester band Blossoms, soundtracked a key late season scene on Ted Lasso, launched a lockdown video series that’s amassed 10.3 million views on YouTube with a growing catalog of cover songs (including the just-released “abcdefu”), and two fall 2021 concerts —at London’s Wembley Arena and in Manchester—benefitted the UK’s National Health Service.
While Astley continues to make new music, perform, and pursue new ventures, the resonance of his debut recording never fades. Last year, “Never Gonna Give You Up” achieved a rare milestone in becoming one of 23 music videos from the pre-internet era to hit one billion views on YouTube. He has over six million monthly listeners on Spotify and is active on social media, where 2.1 million fans follow him on TikTok. In partnership with Jacqui and Kevin Hughes, Astley also recently launched BUB CLUB. The YouTube channel for pre-schoolers shows animations filled with original music and enhanced versions of classic nursery rhymes and songs. Astley is also co-writing and co-producing new songs for BUB CLUB.
Whenever You Need Somebody (2022 Remaster) is a two-CD set and digital release that boasts the remastered original album plus b-sides, remixes, and Astley’s own reimagined versions of the album’s original singles. The set includes an expansive booklet featuring previously unseen photos from 1987/88, liner notes by Craig McLean, and reflections from Astley and two of the original album’s songwriting contributors, Mike Stock and Pete Waterman (of Stock, Aitken and Waterman). The project was remastered at Abbey Road.
Says Astley, “Whenever I sing these songs or even hear them on the radio, it brings back so many great memories. It makes me appreciate how lucky I was to have met all the people I worked with around making that first record. ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ established me in America and let me travel the world—which, for a 21-year-old from Newton-le-Willows, was mind-blowing. I’m still reaping the benefits from that today.”
Just days after the reissue is released, Astley joins New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue for the 57-date “Mixtape 2022” U.S. arena tour. The tour’s launch video was recently trending in the Top 20 on YouTube and features the performers’ tongue-in-cheek romp through milestones of the late 80s/early 90s pop music scene. See the full itinerary below and watch the video for “Bring Back The Time” here.
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