Rick Astley Credits His Beautiful Wife For Keeping His Music Career Alive With Loving Act

Jul 05, 2023

Rick Astley is a singer, songwriter and musician who gained international fame in the late 1980s. Although he rose to stardom with his hit single "Never Gonna Give You Up," Rick's career and personal journey go far beyond the catchy pop song that became an internet sensation in the 21st century. 

Rick was born on Feb. 6, 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, where his passion for music developed at a young age. His parents divorced when he was only 5 years old, and his father, Horace Astley, raised him and his three siblings.

Rick got his start in the music business after joining the band FBI as a drummer, and through this experience, he gained valuable insights into the industry. It wasn't long before his vocal abilities caught the attention of renowned record producers. His big break came when, at the age of 21, he released his debut single, "Never Gonna Give You Up." The song catapulted him to international fame, topping the charts in 25 countries and earning him a coveted spot at the forefront of the pop music scene.

Rick’s soulful voice, combined with his boyish charm and signature dance moves, made him a global sensation. He followed his debut success with a string of hits, including "Together Forever," "Whenever You Need Somebody" and "She Wants to Dance with Me." Rick's music resonated with audiences across different demographics, cementing his place as one of the most successful artists of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 1993, after releasing his third studio album, "Body & Soul," Rick decided to step away from the music industry. He felt burned out and disillusioned, and the pressures of fame took a toll on him. During his hiatus, he focused on his personal life, marrying his longtime girlfriend and raising their daughter.

Despite his initial success, Rick faced challenges as he strived to evolve as an artist. In the early 1990s, he sought to redefine his musical identity, which led to conflicts with his record label and a difficult period in his career. However, it was during this time that Rick credited his partner for keeping him motivated and optimistic.

Rick met Lene Bausager in 1987 in Denmark while she was working at his record label. He told the Sydney Morning Herald he “fell in love with her the day I met her” and began writing letters to her and racking up massive phone bills calling her from around the world. He explained to the outlet what it was that drew him to her:

“I like strong women, and Lene is certainly that. My upbringing was unusual and I probably craved having a mother figure, but I am not saying Lene is that for me. We have done a lot of therapy around all of that! The most important thing about a long-term relationship is a foundation of respect, because only once that is there can love truly follow.”

The pair had one daughter together, Emilie Astley, who pursued a master's degree in fine art and works as a garden designer. Rick and Bausager, who is a film producer, married in 2003.

During an appearance on the “Lorraine” show, Rick revealed he fell out of love with the music industry. “(The music industry) is a business and sometimes, I used to feel like I could have been selling beans or selling paint... You get so far away from the music,” he said. 

However, when his milestone 50th birthday came around in 2016, Rick decided to get back into it with the loving support and encouragement of his beloved wife.

In the mid-2000s, Rick experienced an unexpected resurgence in popularity, thanks to the rise of the phenomenon known as "Rickrolling." The online prank involved misleading links that redirected users to the music video for "Never Gonna Give You Up," leading to a surge in popularity among a new generation of fans.

Rick embraced this unexpected wave of attention. He returned to the music scene with the release of his first studio album in 10 years, "50" in 2016, to unexpected success. It became his first No. 1 record since his debut album. He was also able to finally tick Glastonbury off the bucket list after playing a set on its renowned stage in June 2023. But it was his wife he credited with helping him get his career back on track. 

He told BBC Bausager, “probably had more belief in ‘50’ than I did, to be honest,” and added:

“I was just being realistic saying, ‘Why is anybody going to let a 50-year-old guy in the building?’ But she produces movies and she can see a path from a script to actually getting a movie on a screen – and she's done that with the music.” 

Rick also told the outlet any “success I'm having is due to her, there's no doubt about that. She's a massive part of the whole thing.”

As for the secret to their long-lasting love? “I know Lene is not for one second impressed with what I do for a living. It's the respect we show each other and the moments of love that are what we're about,” he said and added:

“You can be successful, you can be a big deal, but at the end of the day it's the ones we love that keep us going.”

What are your thoughts on Rick Astley’s career and the role his wife has played in it? Do you prefer his classics or some of his newer hits? Let us know, then pass this along to friends and family who are never gonna give you up either!