S16, Ep1 How To Fail: Rick Astley on never growing up, never giving up and how a difficult childhood shaped his success
Jan 4, 2023
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Rick Astley, singing superstar from the 80s, talks about his difficult upbringing, failure to grow up, and love for good wine. He discusses his unexpected resurgence through Rick Rolling, connections on TikTok, and reflections on fame. He also shares surreal encounters with the Foo Fighters and how his music impacted a young boy's life.
Rick Astley's unexpected rise to fame in the 1980s and his exposure to a new generation of fans through viral internet phenomenon like Rick Rolling and platforms like TikTok.
The impact of Rick Astley's upbringing on his parenting style, the importance of breaking the cycle of emotional struggle, and the role of therapy in addressing childhood triggers.
The significance of embracing failure, developing willpower, and knowing when to take control as crucial aspects of personal growth and achieving success.
Deep dives
Rick Astley's Journey to Success
Rick Astley, known for his worldwide hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up,' reflects on his unexpected rise to fame in the 1980s and his subsequent retirement from the music industry. He discusses how viral internet phenomenon like Rick Rolling brought his music to a new generation of fans and the impact of platforms like TikTok. Astley acknowledges the joy and challenges that come with success, reflecting on the balancing act of being recognized and maintaining a sense of normalcy. He also expresses gratitude for the opportunities and freedom that his career has given him, but acknowledges the trade-offs and the importance of prioritizing personal well-being over fame.
The Influence of Childhood and Upbringing on Rick Astley's Life
Astley opens up about his upbringing and the challenges he faced with his parents' divorce and the turbulent relationship with his father. He shares his observations about the impact of these experiences on his own parenting style and the importance of breaking the cycle of emotional struggle. He reflects on the triggers from his childhood that still affect him today, such as the fear and unpredictability associated with his father's moods. Astley acknowledges the role of therapy and the privilege of having time to reflect and work through personal issues.
Rick Astley's Relationship with Music and Performing
Astley explores his relationship with music and performance. He discusses his passion for music and the joy he finds in creating and experimenting with different sounds. He expresses gratitude for the opportunities and success he has achieved in the music industry. Astley also highlights the role of performance as a way to fill voids, shape-shift, and provide a sense of control and safety. He acknowledges the duality of the music industry, appreciating its ability to give everything yet also take its toll on individuals' mental and emotional well-being.
Embracing Failure and Learning from Mistakes
Rick Astley reflects on the importance of embracing failure and learning from mistakes. He shares a personal anecdote of a night out where he initially intended not to drink but succumbed to peer pressure. Astley highlights the significance of being able to say no and not giving in to temptations. He also discusses his control freak tendencies and how they relate to his choices, such as driving himself to gigs and abstaining from alcohol. Astley believes that having willpower and knowing when to take control is a crucial aspect of personal growth and achieving success.
Complex Relationships and Parental Estrangement
Astley opens up about his complex relationship with his parents, particularly the impact of the loss of his older brother David on his family. He reflects on their silence and the lack of communication surrounding the tragedy, which left a lingering sense of detachment. Astley shares that he was not close to his parents and experienced a strained relationship with his father, leading to an estrangement that lasted for over 20 years. Although he considered reconnecting before his father's passing, he ultimately chose to preserve the positive memories he had and maintain peace within himself. Astley also highlights his young age when becoming a parent and how it affected his ability to fully navigate adult responsibilities.
We're back for a brand new season. Well...you didn't think we were ever GONNA GIVE YOU UP did you? (See what I did there?)
My childhood self is utterly thrilled that we get to open Season 16 with the legendary Rick Astley. The singing superstar who gained worldwide fame in the 1980s with hits such as Never Gonna Give You Up and who is now being discovered by a whole new generation thanks to the viral internet phenomenon known as Rickrolling (don't worry - I didn't know what this was either: he explains it on the pod). Now 56, Astley has 8 consecutive UK top 10 hits, more than 40 million album sales and 3 million TikTok followers to his name. Besides which, he's a thoroughly nice man.
We talk about his difficult upbringing, his failure to grow up and his inability to give up drinking good wine. Prepare yourself for a lot of entertainment, some laughs, a side-order of self-deprecation and yes, a few tears too.
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My Plan To Save The Planet, the new album by Rick Astley is out now and avaiable to order here.
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Failosophy for Teens: A Handbook for When Things Go Wrong by Elizabeth Day is my first ever book for young adults and it's out TOMORROW, 5th January 2023, and available to purchase here.
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How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com