Rick Astley Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Rick Astley’s Net Worth?

An English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality, Rick Astley has a net worth of $16 million. He has amassed this wealth through numerous hit singles, his career as a musician and singer, as well as global tours. Astley gained international fame as a solo artist with his 1987 song “Never Gonna Give You Up,” which topped the charts in 25 countries. The song’s irresistible dance-pop beat, along with Astley’s unique baritone voice, won over audiences and established him as a pop icon.

Astley’s first album, “Whenever You Need Somebody” (1987), achieved multi-platinum status and included other significant hits like “Together Forever.” In total, his albums have sold over 40 million copies globally. Over the course of his career, he has received various accolades and recognition. He won the Best British Single award at the Brit Awards in 1988 for “Never Gonna Give You Up” and has also been nominated for Grammy Awards. In recent years, he has continued to produce new music, demonstrating his talent and long-lasting appeal.

In the early 2000s, “Never Gonna Give You Up” unexpectedly became an internet meme referred to as “Rickrolling.” Users began to share seemingly unrelated links that led unsuspecting viewers to the music video of Astley’s song. The trend quickly gained traction, reviving the song’s popularity and introducing it to a new generation of fans. Astley’s amusing acceptance of the meme only further solidified his position in internet culture.

Rickrolling Royalties

The music video for “Never Gonna Give You Up” has amassed over 1 billion views on YouTube. According to the YouTube Money Calculator, this could translate to approximately $2 million after Google takes its 45% cut. It’s essential to understand, however, that this figure is merely an estimate, and the actual earnings for Astley may differ.

Back in 2010, Rick mentioned that he had only made $12 from the Rickrolling phenomenon. The reason behind this is that he does not hold the copyright for the song, which limits him to receiving only a performer’s share of the royalties. Nonetheless, given that the meme’s popularity has only grown since then, it is possible that Astley has earned more from it in recent years.

In summary, determining the exact amount of money Rick Astley has profited from YouTube and the Rickrolling meme remains challenging. However, it is evident that the meme has significantly contributed to revitalizing his career and re-establishing him as a household name.

Rick Astley Became A Millionaire At 22

In a 2016 interview with “The Telegraph,” Astley recounted how he became a millionaire due to “Never Gonna Give You Up”:

“...what occurred in the Eighties for me was completely different from what most people would classify as reality. My 1987 single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ rendered me a millionaire by 22. Unless you’ve won the lottery or football pools, that’s pretty absurd. It’s not something that should happen to anyone…I was a very inexperienced 21-year-old and suddenly I was properly famous. That’s not for the timid. I enjoyed some aspects of it, but quickly, a realization dawned on me. Nowadays, I advise kids two things about breaking into the music industry: One: find a manager who genuinely appreciates you, not just your talent. Mine was the best man at my wedding.

Two: hiring a skilled and costly lawyer is vital, as everyone else involved in your career primarily aims to maximize your earnings.“

Early Life

Born as Richard Paul Astley on February 6, 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, Rick Astley is the youngest child in a family of four. After his parents’ divorce when he was five, his father raised him, though he kept a close relationship with his mother, who resided a short distance away. Following the revelation that his father was responsible for his mother’s eviction, Rick distanced himself from him. He began singing at age 10 upon joining the local church choir.

While in high school, Astley created several local bands where he played drums. It was in one of these bands that he met guitarist David Morris. After leaving school at age 16, he took a daytime job as a driver in his father’s market gardening business while performing on the evenings at Northern Club circuit with bands like Give Way, which played tracks by the Beatles and Shadows, and FBI, a soul band that excelled in local talent contests.

Career

In 1985, Rick Astley was actively drumming with the band FBI, joined by David Morris on guitar. They had become a recognizable local act, crafting and performing their original music. Following the departure of FBI’s lead singer and Morris’ decision to pursue a hairdressing career, Astley opted to take on the role of lead vocalist. It was during this transition that he caught the attention of record producer Pete Waterman, who encouraged him to travel to London to collaborate with the Pete Waterman Limited recording studio and RCA Records to produce his music. This experience educated Astley in the recording process, starting his career as the studio’s “tea boy,” or gofer.

His first single, the lesser-known “When You Gunna,” was a collaboration with Lisa Carter and offered little promotional support, resulting in its failure to chart. However, his first solo track was a remarkable success: “Never Gonna Give You Up,” recorded on New Year’s Day in 1987 and released eight months later. The combination of Astley’s uniquely deep and rich voice with dance-pop elements made the song an immediate hit. It dominated the British charts for five weeks and became the highest-selling single of that year. The track also achieved worldwide recognition, claiming the top spot in charts across 24 countries, including the U.S. In addition, the song received the 1988 BRIT Award for Best British Single, with Rick performing it before an audience of 100 million globally. This hit marked the beginning of an impressive streak that would result in 13 hit singles reaching the top 30 worldwide.

The next single from Astley was “Whenever You Need Somebody,” which came out in October that same year. It became a major hit in Europe, attaining #1 status in seven countries and reaching #3 in the UK, although it was not released in North America. His album titled “Whenever You Need Somebody” debuted in November 1987, featuring four tracks penned by Rick. The album hit #1 in both the UK and Australia, and landed at #10 in the United States. It achieved 4x platinum certification in the UK and Canada while receiving 2x platinum in the U.S., with total sales of 15.2 million copies globally, making Astley the highest-selling British artist of the year.

In December 1987, he unveiled a cover of Nat King Cole’s timeless classic “When I Fall in Love,” which was in a tight race for the UK Christmas #1 spot, ultimately peaking at #2 for two weeks. The B-side featured a dance track titled “My Arms Keep Missing You,” which performed well in mainland Europe.

Following the success of “Never Gonna Give You Up,” his fourth single, “Together Forever” (1988), also shot to #1, making him the first artist of the ’80s to achieve that feat with his initial two singles on the U.S. charts. He also earned the title of most played U.S. club act with a top-selling 12-inch record. Another milestone was reached with his acclaimed 1991 album “Free,” which showcased collaborations with Elton John and Mark King. Despite having only four studio albums to his name and being just 27 years old, Astley prioritized family and announced his early retirement in 1993. After a significant hiatus, he returned to the music scene with two more studio albums, “Keep It Turned On” in 2001 and “Portrait” in 2005. Nonetheless, it was in 2007 that he became an internet sensation, as the “Never Gonna Give You Up” video became integral to the viral meme known as Rickrolling. As a result, he was honored with the title of “Best Act Ever” at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008 by internet users.

Personal Life

Regarding his life outside of music, Astley is married to Lene Bausager, and together they have a daughter named Emilie, born in 1992.