Talk:Rick Astley

An erro here

On 1st December 2008 a campaign using the popular internet social networking websites Bebo, Facebook and Myspace was set-up to try and help "Risk" Astley get this years British Christmas Number 1.[11]

please fix it

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Fixed Shazz0r (talk) 21:59, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

Locking Of The Article

This needs to be locked. Ive noticed heaps and heaps of vandalism. Need I say More? SSholden (talk) 02:11, 20 August 2008 (UTC)

Rick was commissioned in the SAS before he hit puberty???

In the first papragraph it says "In 1979, Astley received a direct entry commission into 22nd SAS Regiment after successfully completing service with the Honourable Balloon Artillery Corps, although was injured during an early training jump and was forced to resign his commission." Assuming his birthday is listed correctly as 1966, that would make him 13 when he got his commission. I can't be the only one who noticed this! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.57.117.48 (talk) 08:07, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

Astley music used in the American invasion of Panama

I have yet to find a verifiable source for this, but just came across a reference to Astley's music being used by American troops in their invasion of Panama in 1989. Info on the invasion can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama, while a reference to the use of rock music is also found in the Noriega article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Noriega.

The reference to Astley came in the 3rd episode of the 17th series of Never Mind the Buzzcocks. I personally find this very humourous, but also consider it a reasonable addition to the article here. Is anyone else familiar with this use? --198.96.36.120 (talk) 22:25, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Rick Roll equals 532 million hits?

I don't think so.. does anyone wanna fix it? -(BrutusCirrus (talk) 21:27, 16 March 2008 (UTC))

RickRoll...again

Has Rick Astley himself ever commented re: the rickroll phenomenon? Just curious. Alcy (talk) 22:17, 3 February 2008 (UTC)

A current pic of Rick Astley would be cool --Rusober (talk) 02:12, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

some info here [1] on what Rick thinks of the internet fad. Not sure if it's a legitimate news site, though. — Sandtiger 20:30, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

The only thing on that site right now is a cybersquatter's page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.191.158.158 (talk) 14:20, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

News clip about this, at the end it has a comment about Rick's opinion. This is not a rick roll. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tD4Tgx1fsU&feature=related 131.91.92.184 (talk) 18:42, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

The Ultimate Duet

I always thought that Rick Astley and Aaron Neville should do an album together. The picture on the front of the jewel case, coupled with the music inside, would provide endless confusion to music fans unfamiliar with their work. --M.Neko 19:24, 24 May 2007 (UTC)

A photo of Rick should be added to this page, perhaps along with an image from the album cover. LLP 15:31, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Does Rick Astley have extra vocal cords? 168.209.98.35 04:10, 7 Apr 2004 (UTC)

If you're speaking of the deep and forceful presence of his unusual voice, the word is that he purposefully enjoys an extremely high fiber diet and refrains from having a bowel movement for at least 48 hours before a singing engagement.

I'm going to try this. 76.102.62.11 21:48, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

24 hours so far.

It's nice to see an article about a man so forgotten in the music world, especially in America. Good article. -Amit, 13 Aug 2005

For a man who has been apparently "forgotton" in the United States, many radio stations still choose the play his hit's 74.65.39.59 14:11, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the info. I've wondered what happened to him.6/oct/2005

I see "so that he could raise a family" but there's no mention of a wife or girlfriend...no mention of children. Is it possible to get more personal info in this article?

I decided to add it myself.

Rick Astley also became very popular in Asia. I hope that some sort of statistics can be added to show how he performed in the music charts.

In what parallel universe are 'Vincent', 'Nature Boy' and 'Close To You' defined as 'soul standards'? Widmerpool 12:09, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sK3AqFYAWQ <-- HABEEB IT.

(That video has been removed due to "terms of use" violations, btw)Rusober (talk) 02:14, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Needs more information on the RickRoll'D Internet Phenomenon

I'll get information on it and when more info's out...

Here, I found this link fairly informative but I'm not good at writing articles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0 SockMonkeh 21:12, 21 May 2007 (UTC)

If I hadn't seen that link so many times already... I woulda clicked it >.< That being said, I don't think the fad started on IGN. I remember reading something about "duckrolling" and 4chan, which would make far more sense. There is no question that gaming forums helped proliferate the meme (and Seth McFarlane didn't help at all), but it would be surprising if something this random got started on one.Jklharris 07:53, 22 May 2007 (UTC)

This, like every other funny meme started at 4chan, more accurate; /v/ "Posting links to videogame-related (or not) Youtube videos is very popular on /v/. On March 29th 2007, there were a large number of threads discussing the recently-released GTA4 trailer. A mischievous Anonymous posted a Youtube link to what he described as a "GTA4 gameplay vid". At the time there was much speculation surrounding the new GTA installment, so the link drew a large amount of curiosity, curiosity that was quickly squashed upon finding that the youtube link actually directed users to the music video of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley. Many /v/irgins shat bricks when they found a skinny white boy singing like a black man instead of anything even remotely videogame related, and cries of "ONDORE!" soon echoed within the commentary of that particular video. The residents of /v/ found this hilariously absurd, and soon enough, Anonymous stealthily inserted links to this video in many threads on /v/, resulting in much hilarity when other posters get a vintage 80's surprise. Due to the fact that this meme relies on cunning deception much like Duckroll, the practice of tricking people into viewing this song is called the Rickroll, trolls who do it are called Rickrollers, those who fall for it exlaim they've been 'rickrolled,' etc. etc. etc. This meme has also leaked over to /x/, and then to the rest of 4chan."

I was RickRoll'd by an LUElinker. It's the biggest craze there.

See also the article for Never Gonna Give You Up and associated talk page. Snarfies 16:09, 22 May 2007 (UTC)

This did indeed start out, as far as I know, on 4chan. The original craze was "Duckrolling", where users post a link to another post on the forum. Thinking it's a relevant link, many users click on it, only to find it is a picture of a duck with wheels - the infamous "Duckroll". It's then traditional to post a Duckroll elsewhere on 4chan (almost always 4chan/b/). Then someone came up with the idea of Rickrolling - say "There's a youtube video of this" and post the Rick Astley link. A newer version has the song playing over an image of the Duckroll, cementing this as an offshoot of Duckrolling. However, as Wiki doesn't like mention of the 4chan trolls, I'll refrain from adding this into the article and leave it for a more respected user Mysticaloctopus 11:53, 24 May 2007

(UTC)

the wording should be changed from initial "duckroll" image to duckroll image or duckrolling image. it would help if the image of a duckroll was described since there's no stub on it.

As far as I know what you are saying is true. Problem is, there's no way to prove it, and many wikipedia editors are uptight blockheads who would rather have proper procedure than truth, so any statements to that effect would be quickly zotted out of the article. See also Talk:Loituma_Girl#Origin. Snarfies 03:56, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia is about verifiability, not truth. If you have a problem with that, try effecting a change in policy instead of bitching and ignoring policy. DarkSaber2k 13:34, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Indeed. It started on 4chan's /v board. An anonymous user posted a link to Youtube, claiming it to be pornography of some kind. However, the link actually pointed to the video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" and from there the phenomenon spread. Naturally, once it hit the World of Warcraft forums, it exploded in popularity. The Family Guy episode recently, however, is not believed widely to be influenced by this at all, since it mentions nothing of Rickrolling, and is merely a hilarious coincidence. I don't really see why there can't be a small paragraph or mention of Rickrolling on this page. There's no good reason why a trivia/pop culture reference which appears on MANY MANY other pages in very similar styles can't be on Wikipedia.TheMadRussian 04:23, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure it wasn't /v/. And about the Family Guy thing, Family Guy couldn't possibly have referenced it, given the time it makes one episode of a TV show and the fact that it was shown barely a month after the meme began. (whoops I forgot to sign my thing forever ago)Razorthe6249th 12:39, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

Whoever adds this section should probably make a reference to the Goatse.cx entry as well.Branciforte3241 01:43, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

I think this is a large enough phenomenon to warrant an entry. RickRoll could redirect to this article. Has its own site now: http://www.yougotrickrolled.com/ Jredwards 23:56, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

It wasn't originally a fake link to porn. Here's from Lurkmore:

Rickroll

Posting links to videogame-related (or not) Youtube videos is very popular on /v/. On March 29th 2007, there were s large number of threads discussing about the recently-released GTA4 trailer. A mischievous Anonymous posted a Youtube link to what he described as a "GTA4 gameplay vid". At the time there was much speculation surrounding the new GTA installment, so the link drew a large amount of curiosity, curiosity that was quickly squashed upon finding that the youtube link actually directed users to the music video of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley. Many /v/irgins shat bricks when they found a skinny white boy singing like a black man instead of anything even remotely videogame related, and cries of "ONDORE!" soon echoed within the commentary of that particular video. The residents of /v/ found this hilariously absurd, and soon enough, Anonymous stealthily inserted links to this video in many threads on /v/, resulting in much hilarity when other posters get a vintage 80's surprise. Due to the fact that this meme relies on cunning deception much like Duckroll, the practice of tricking people into viewing this song is called the Rickroll, trolls who do it are called Rickrollers, those who fall for it exlaim they've been 'rickrolled,' etc. etc. etc. It soon leaked over to /x/, and then to the rest of 4chan.

The most common video used to Rickroll is this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7sK3AqFYAWQ However, be wary, as sly /v/irgins have uploaded the 'Never Gonna Give You Up" music video themselves, and they have also started to link to other Rick Astley songs, such as "Take Me to Your Heart."

Since Rickroll has been used on Seth MacFarlane's cartoon Family Guy[5], it is now an old and tired meme.

It should also be noted that Youtube Rickrolls have been posted so often in gamefaqs, their TOS has been amended in which posting a Youtube video with Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up" is now a violation with the note being, we shit you not, "Posting a RickRoll? That's a paddlin'." -Annon3

Just because the song was used in Family Guy does not mean it was a 'rickroll'. Family Guy has a long history of spoofing songs, such as 'Shepoopie' (however it's spelt) in Patriot Games, or 'Somewhere that's green' as sung by Herbert. Regardless, unless sources are provided to prove it is indeed a 'phenomenon' (never can spell this right) then the information should not be included due to the core polciy of verification and the guidelines for neologisms. DarkSaber2k 13:31, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia contains plenty of other references to memes, none of which can be provided to wikipedia's harsh and demanding standards. But they still get a mention. --86.128.77.245 13:29, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

WP:OTHERCRAPEXISTS, We aren't talking about those memes, we're discussing this one. DarkSaber2k 08:04, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I believe it is notable and the source was reliable. the_undertow ^talk 09:39, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

One source of merely local (i.e. Wigan area) significance is far short of the 'wide usage/mentions in reliable secondary sources' that is required for a neologism/meme to be included in Wikipedia. DarkSaber2k 09:44, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Is the Internet local? the_undertow ^talk 04:08, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

No, but the Internet can surely provide more than 1 reliable source for such a 'wide-spread phenomenon'? DarkSaber2k 08:02, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Does Carson Daly using it on his show count? Crystallina 04:05, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Only if it's verifiable through reliable sources. DarkSaber2k 08:36, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

21 June 2007 episode of Carson Daly, quote, "You just got RickRolled."Bubbaprog 10:26, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

I'd just like to point out there is a way to prove it was 4chan that started it; if one were to go through the early comments you'll see a change around page 750/749 from nostalgic posts reminiscing about rick to posts questioning why the video isn't GTA4. Now, you may argue that it had been used before but no one posted any comments those times. But considering how many comments were posted most of which referencing /v/ and other 4chan memes, you'd have to wonder why no one else said anything about their internet communities if it had indeed started on those. 4chan also has a bit of a semi-followed rules 1&2 which say one mustn't speak of 4chan, which would also lessen(abet minimally) the likelihood of their doing it first if it had indeed been around before the GTA trailer.

Found a citation: http://www.cwyohba.org/noexit/news/rickastley/rickastley.html (and no, that's not a rickroll in disguise) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.255.77.81 (talk) 22:30, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Needs far less information on the RickRoll'D Internet Phenomenon

Seriously —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sweetnorbert (talk • contribs) 17:27, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Basic career information

This article lacks information on what record labels distributed Astley's albums; if memory serves me correctly, RCA distributed two of his albums in the United States during a brief period in the 1980's. Be sure to include the labels in sequence on the Infobox musical artist once verified. - B.C.Schmerker 16:02, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

"Rick Roll"

The "Rick Roll" section needs some serious help. It's hardly limited to one YouTube video, nor even to YouTube. It's been featured on a number of TV shows (Robot Chicken is but one), and other media (xkcd, etc.). --Kickstart70-T-C 08:11, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

Does it really need to be the #2 section on this page? Seems more appropriate is a Trivia section or link to a page that specifically talks about it on 'internet memes' or something, eh?

or maybe even deleted entirely!Sweetnorbert (talk) 17:18, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Video blog rant -- where is it?

"Although the idea originally developed as a joke, Astley himself was reportedly unimpressed at the use of his hit single as a target for mockery and posted a rant against the craze on his blog, a video of which ironically went on to prove even more popular."

Where is this so called rant of his? If it's even more popular than the actual video, how come I can't find it (yet I can find over thousands of videos of "Never Gonna Give You Up" labeled as "RickRoll")? It would be nice if whoever found this rant could post a link to it, you know sort of state the reference. I'm pretty sure if it was as popular as this article says or if it even exists at all, I would be able to find it on YouTube without even having to ask here. --Machriderx (talk) 23:42, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

In addition, this interview seems to counter the idea that he hates it:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/03/rick-astley-kin.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.98.249.59 (talk) 01:20, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

Soul Standards

Current article reads: In 2005 Astley released the album Portrait in which he covered many classic soul standards such as "Vincent"[3], "Nature Boy" and "Close to You".

I don't think "Vincent" is "soul" in anyone's books. Ordinary Person (talk) 03:29, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

NPOV on Nick Lowe Reference

The paragraph that refers to Nick Lowe rhyming "Astley" with "ghastly" feels a bit derisive and seems like it would be outside the spirit of NPOV. I don't feel comfortable making an edit, though, since I'm a WikiRookie. Thoughts? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.82.211.121 (talk • contribs)

Someone has fixed this. --Xyzzyplugh (talk) 17:57, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

Leo Laporte

"Astley is the twin brother of radio personality Leo Laporte".

I'm pretty sure this isn't true..... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.40.107.112 (talk) 22:31, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Paragraph in the middle of Rickroll section

No sources, and while a fraction of it is true it says on another page he won't try and capitalise on the meme. The paragraph is written in a definitely not encyclopedic style, and it contains a great deal of opinion. While some effort should be made to salvage the extent of rick rolling on 2008's april fools day, what's there at the moment is utter trash (86.143.12.235 (talk) 17:48, 3 April 2008 (UTC))

External Links

Added an external link to an Unofficial Rick Astley website, as the "external link" section looked a bit sparse. Red dwarf (talk) 14:33, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

Recent vandalism

This article has been the subject of repeated vandalism for the past few days. I restored the last correct version (Revision as of 07:52, April 13, 2008) of this page. No new relevant change has been done since then. I will set a semi-protection if this childish behaviour continues. Glloq (talk) 09:57, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, it looks good now. thank you! and whoever put up that picture, you're my hero! One of his better photographs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.245.36.179 (talk) 00:24, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Aphex Twin

Is the article correct in saying that Astley was part of a band called "the Aphex Twins"? If so, did that band have any relation to *the* Aphex twin? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.57.90.83 (talk) 05:48, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

Newton le Willows is in Merseyside but somebody keeps changing it to Lancashire. Can the moderator make sure it is corrected (look up Newton le willows on Wiki to verify) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.242.136.126 (talk) 22:53, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

re-add Rick photo?

Is it ok to re-add Image:NeverGonnaGiveYouUp_official_photo.jpg (was in a July 31 version of the article) --EarthFurst (talk) 03:50, 11 August 2008 (UTC)\

I say so. Equaaldoors (talk) 04:34, 5 October 2008 (UTC)

Best Act Ever

We’ve been “Rickrolled!” (01/10/20081)

“ Rick Astley – in his first ever nomination in the history of the MTV Europe Music Awards – will compete against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2 for Best Act Ever. ”

— Balthazar ^(T|C) 23:33, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

way ahead of you, i've added it already to his web page.

but im not a good writer outside of ED, you might rewrite it, oh i dunno...all of it

-anon —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.173.47.87 (talk) 00:53, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

edit two: well, it was there, but got reverted from vandalism. but like i said before im not any good at this shit if i dont have the freedom to make fun of my subject as much as possable.

w/e, i guess one of you wiki fags can do it

current photo

i dunno the legal mumbo jumbo behind using a photo from an official fan web site, but a current picture (as of 2004 i belive) of rick can be found on his fan website at http://www.rickastley.co.uk/gallery/FarEast/Singfest04.jpg

with some cropping and editing we can possably add a picture to the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.173.49.195 (talk) 08:34 7 October 2008

Just in!

From Rick's website:

Rick Not Asked By MTV

30th October 2008

Contrary to many stories published this week by various sources, Rick has not been asked by MTV to perform at their European Music Awards on November 6th. He has received an invitation to attend the ceremony but has not yet made up his mind as to whether he will make the journey up to Liverpool. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.141.196.252 (talk) 15:59, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Rick Astley won the BEST ACT EVER AWARD!!!

Can we add Rick's victory at the MTV Europe Award to his article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.90.55.45 (talk) 21:31, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Also: He wasn't even invited to perform. http://www.rickastley.co.uk/news/news2008-10-30.html --129.241.150.176 (talk) 21:37, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Faulty information

"One of the first occurences was when the trailer for the video game Grand Theft Auto IV generated so much traffic Rockstar Games's website crashed."

Rickrolling existed long before GTAIV as even the Rickrolling page attests. Can someone change this? I can't because of the protected status of the page —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.111.183.138 (talk) 18:15, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

Error

Newton-le-Willows, Astley's hometown is in Cheshire, not Lancashire or Merseyside as the article indicates.

Many thanks

Dan —Preceding unsigned comment added by Crofty82 (talk • contribs) 09:15, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

Question of Validity of RickRolling

Does anyone think RickRolling was a phenomenon started by people working for him? On youtube, lot's of controversial or interesting videos would be linked to a RickRoll. It was the best prank on the net, however it seems to good to be true for this to not start from a source, it might just be lucky though. But even if it did start from a source from him, many people thought it was funny and would make RickRoll pranks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.201.193.254 (talk) 18:40, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

"FBI" link in Infobox

Hey everyone!!!!1111 Anywai, can somebody please remove the Associated Acts: FBI link in the infobox? (Just the link, not the text) It leads to a disambiguation page, where Rick's band FBI is an entry but does not have a page. I can't seem to remove it, I can change the link, but if I remove the link, the box becomes text. ANYONE? --MasterOfTheXP (talk) 23:42, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

Agree, it shouldn't have a link to the disambiguation page. How about making it a red link - FBI? extraordinary (talk) 13:50, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

GMTV

He was on it today. Please add to article. Also, he was obviously lip synching when singing Never Gonna Give You Up.--Rocklin Kyley (talk) 09:19, 6 February 2009 (UTC)

Not added yet?--Rocklin Kyley (talk) 12:01, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

I can't edit the article.--Rocklin Kyley (talk) 12:02, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

There's no need to report his every appearance.--Atlan (talk) 10:30, 10 February 2009 (UTC)

Rick Astley reference on "Psych"

Hi, I just saw an episode of Psych (First aired on 2/13/2009) that had a reference to Rick Astley. During a flashback to 1988 Spencer creates a Rick Astley pinata for a contest at a summer camp. Later in the episode the pinata ends up being dredged up from the bottom of the lake.

I just thought it was a funny culture reference, and maybe we could add it to the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.98.179.79 (talk) 07:03, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

I'll copy/paste my reply to the previous thread: There's no need to report his every appearance.--Atlan (talk) 23:34, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Personal Life

Why is there no personal life section on this page? Doesn't Rick have a personal life? I, for one, would like to know about it!