Let's get Rickrollin'!

 This Friday, ’80s-music fans in Bangkok are in for a real treat as five icons from the era take turns entertaining at Bitec Bangna. Among them is pop crooner Rick Astley, whose breakthrough hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” made it to No 1 in 25 countries when it was released and is still a hit.

 The English singer holds the record for being the only male solo artist to have his first eight singles reach the Top 10 in the UK, and by his early retirement in 1993 had sold approximately 40 million records worldwide.

After the Internet meme “Rickrolling” put his music video for “Never Gonna Give You Up” to hilarious use, Astley re-emerged to stardom and was named “Best Act Ever” by Internet users at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. He gave us a quick interview via e-mail.

 

What are you up to now?

Right now I am making plans for a ski holiday for when I get back from Bangkok

 

How has 2013 treated you so far?

I have had a great 2013 up to now, just been to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore for gigs, so getting to see some new places.

 

You’ll be in Bangkok soon. How does it feel?

Looking forward to playing in Bangkok, never been and it’s always exciting to play somewhere new. I always enjoy singing my old tunes at the “Rewind” gigs because the band and organisers are great. The audiences come for a good night out, and so do I.

 

Besides the gig, what else do you look forward to in Bangkok?

I love Thai food and eat it all the time in London, so I am looking forward to sampling some local food. Might have to take it easy as it’s not good to eat something super hot before singing. I’m not going to have enough time for a trip to the beach – big shame.

 

It’s been a while since your last album. Any plans for a new one?

I made a new record last year, but I’m not sure when it will come out properly as I am looking into spending a bit of time in America this year, so I need to make sure I have time to promote it. I recorded it at my studio and just loved the process. 

I feel more joy about recording now as I do it because I want to and not to try and get chart positions – I gave up on that a long time ago.

 

How has it been since you made a comeback?

I started to perform again about eight years ago. To be honest, the first time was because my wife and daughter wanted to go to Japan. I had an offer to go and do a couple of gigs there, and the girls said I had no choice! 

I’m glad they did, though, because I really enjoyed it and I have not stopped playing live since. 

I am not really involved in the music business in the same way I was. I play live now more than I did when I was famous in the ’80s. I don’t have a record deal and I work when I want to and don’t when I don’t. The business has changed so much that I am glad that I had my time when I did. The ’80s were great! 

 

What do you like about the music scene right now?

The best part of the industry today is that musicians have a voice through the Internet. Anybody can have the world listen to their music and the world can love it or not. At least it’s possible without a record label or radio getting involved or, more importantly, not getting involved.

 

What have been your best and worst decisions in your career?

The best decision I made was to trust a guy with red leather trousers – Pete Waterman. And the worst decision was trying to dance the first time on “Top of the Pops” on the BBC.

 

 

 IT’S FUN TO REVISIT THE ’80S

 Joining Rick Astley in the nostalgic night of shoulder pads, balloon skirts and big hair is American singer Belinda Carlisle. Known as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s, one of the most successful all-female bands of all time, Carlisle went on to a successful solo career with hits “Mad About You”, “Summer Rain”, “I Get Weak”, “Circle in the Sand”, “Leave a Light On” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth”.

Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet fame is also on the list. Through his own label, SlipStream Records, he released the first single as a solo, “Build Me Up”, from the film “When Saturday Comes”, which was met with critical acclaim. His other well-known tracks include “She”, “Goodbye Malinconia” (with Italian rapper Caparezza) and several cover versions. Recently Hadley and his ’80s chart peers Kim Wilde, Bananarama and Go West set a new world record for Comic Relief when they performed the highest-ever gig, singing on a Boeing 767 13 kilometres up in the air. 

US disco group Village People will make it to Bangkok for the first time on Friday. Originally created to target gay audiences by featuring popular gay fantasy personas, the band’s popularity quickly brought them into the mainstream with their trademark hits “Macho Man”, “Go West”, “In the Navy”, “Can't Stop the Music”, and their biggest hit, “YMCA”. They have sold upwards of 100 million records.

Finally there’s Johnny Hates Jazz. The London-based pop rock group is known mostly from their hits such as “Shattered Dreams”, “Turn Back the Clock” and “Turn the Tide”, “Me and My Foolish Heart”. 

  INSTANT RECALL