Rick Astley on Generational Trauma, Gut Instincts, and Village Halls | Happy Place Podcast

There’s beauty in letting go and not having your life mapped out for you. That’s something musician Rick Astley has learnt in the years after calling it quits on his successful music career when he was just 27.
In this chat with Fearne, Rick gives some brilliant insights into what the music industry was like thirty years ago, how it’s changed, and how it hasn’t. Plus, he reflects on who his parents were and how, despite a difficult childhood, he’s able to see them as multifaceted humans rather than just parents.
Rick’s new album, Are We There Yet, is out on October the 13th.
You can pre-order Fearne’s new book Speak Your Truth here: amzn.to/2HwAkek
Listen to the Happy Place podcast here podfollow.com/happyplace or you can watch it on KZbin here: bit.ly/3pSerHr
ABOUT HAPPY PLACE
Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
Still haven't subscribed to Fearne Cotton's Happy Place on KZbin? ► bit.ly/371zqza
ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
CONNECT WITH FEARNE COTTON
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Facebook: / fearnecotton
Twitter: / fearnecotton

[@glencarson2635]

Rick could give lessons on how to be a proper famous musician. Humble, polite, honest and genuine. Oh, and sober too. That always helps.

[@astromandomine14]

You have to be Northern to achieve this level. Avoid Yorkshire though, that's just too dour

[@VictoriaShirley-xx1zm]

What a lovely man, really enjoyed his openness and authenticity.

[@DogTrainingwithSallyKnowlsonNa]

Watching this feels like coming round yours for a cuppa and a catch up with Rick. Ive never met you both but thats how comfortable you have managed to make this feel. Really wonderful to be part of.🌞

[@elisabethgronlund6842]

I’m 55 and my kids are 20 and 18. And my son is listening to Rick A a lot more than I ever did. And he is singing and playing on his keyboard and playing the songs on KZbin and I have realized what a musically talent Rick A is. I wouldn’t have known if my son hadn’t been completely into 70-, 80, and 90s music.

[@alwaysblake148]

It is very rare to watch a famous person be so open and authentic. I've had respect for Rich Astley the musician and international star, but I have now more respect for Rick Astley the man.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Just a great interview. I am 53 so remember Rick Astley's success from 1987 onwards and have seen his renaissance in recent years. I always thought his decision to quit was very brave and self-aware when many contemporaries would not have had the strength to take a stand in the name of self- preservation. It is impressive how reflective and thoughtful he is about his career and life in general. Above all, he comes across as a patently decent person. Those who show bravery rarely see themselves as such. In a world where so much is driven by ego, especially in the last forty odd years, he has coped with fame extremely well despite bumps in the road. A life well lived and deserved success!

[@user-zr1xs3ou4u]

Yes.was on the Concert in Bochum at 16.3 this month.great show.hope He comes Hack to us in Germany❤❤❤❤

[@lizzabbott]

Well said ! I couldn’t agree more ! Fabulous person AND enormously talented! You know who else is like that , with a Talent that’s larger than life , yet is super authentic, wise, resilient & humble amidst massive accomplishment ? A.J. Croce ( the late great Jim Croce’s son). INCREDIBLE pianist ! And a Heavyweight in his own right ! ( has toured as pianist for Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, BB King & more !). Writes his own amaaaaazing songs, has like 10 albums out, has a phenomenal voice & is a great storyteller. He tours LOTS w his all star band. Ya gotta see him. Oh ! And he does his Dad proud , I’m sure not only due to all that & much more, but also b/c AJ honors his Dad / keeps his Memory alive by doing HIS songs in his shows, too ! Friends , ya seriously must see AJ Croce ! But I digress haha ! - Liz

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@lizzabbott Thanks for sharing. I will check out his music. Great comment!

[@havingalook2]

He is simply a wonderful man. I put him on my cloning list. We need more Ricks.

[@jameshollyoak8230]

This man is a legend, loved him in the 80s both he’s SAW cds are brilliant , he’s voice is amazing, plus what he did at Glastonbury with the blossoms was the icing on the cake , a career highlight singing the smiths hits , was the best thing I’ve seen from there

[@EAB2613]

Brilliant interview! What a guy, so thoughtful, honest, funny and grounded.

[@jubear1493]

Nice bloke isn't he, If you didn't catch his Glastonbury Smiths set with the blossoms, either on TV, or like me actually being there, you've missed out in life just a tiny bit. I count it as one of the best gigs I've ever seen and that includes seeing the REAL smiths back in the day.

[@pippaDlightful]

"Uncle Rick" - I like you even more now I've listened to this today 🙌

[@susanlynnl]

What a lovely conversation with two down-to-earth people. So many times Rick gets asked the same (annoying to him, I’m quite sure) questions that everyone already knows the answers to, but this one is refreshing. Love it!

[@brendandinn4524]

take the wg off wig off

[@flychk1229]

This was a beautiful 'chat'. Love this guy. Wouldn't we all love to be as authentic, self aware and true to ourselves as he appears to be?

[@danmccarthy4700]

Rick's speaking voice and singing voice are both so pleasant.

[@kskmain]

He's such a humble and nice man.

[@888mf4]

Great interview. Always loved his music but came to respect him as a person after seeing loads of interviews.

[@redcropuk]

Nice guy ! He has integrity, gotta like and respect THAT.

[@robertluer]

Been an RA fan since 1987 and this is one of the best interviews I've heard with him.

[@idaloup6721]

Love from France. I'm 50 years old and I was 13 when I discovered Never give you up. I'm still listening It with so much pleasure. Great ITW.

[@suzanwahlquist3258]

And to add to my comment the best voice i've ever heard in my life.

[@user-vd1lm9hb5v]

Rick keep being yourself, it’s ok to drive. Not flying is kinda like not buying into everything. You aren’t different you just can’t be led. Chris-Miami

[@Liss484]

What a beautiful down to earth guy! Was never a fan of his in the 80’s😂but so impressed with Rick in this interview. So humble. And a true authentic musician 🙏

[@martincroker490]

Ferne is so nice genuinely. And beautiful. Pretty rare in the entertainment industry.

[@kampai71]

This is an interview not with a pop star, but with a human being. I concur with his view on flying and alcohol. 😃

[@user-vd1lm9hb5v]

Me again🙃I love the sincerity Rick because it’s just really life. Thank you for not blaming your parents or someone else. There are lots of family traumas that can have an affect on our mindsets. You know you don’t have to be defined by others outcomes, not anyone’s. You are helping others by being Rick Astley. Thank You for being upfront about flying. I am exactly like you, I’m not kidding. It’s like my only unthing. Your experience has me mesmerized, not your-fame or looks. Always wanting to learn more about human behavior…

[@patsy205]

Love him. Such a great voice. Adorable ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@catgill1764]

Lovely interview with Rick..loved him as a teenager..some life insights for us all to consider...love Fearne's conversations ❤

[@kathyrhode6252]

This was the best. I love Rick, he is so cool and so honest and real. Fantastic chat🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@lizzabbott]

Tremendous interview ! Loved every second. Just brilliant. Thank you! I was 27 when Rick appeared on the world stage & blew us all away with that soulful voice !

[@comeconcon569]

He achieved success in the mid 80's, but I consider that his success was short-lived. he was absent from the music game for a while then made a comeback.

[@cristinaabreu9605]

So please to hear that!

[@dfgvjnkjdsnbkjsbdvjkhdsb]

*please don't drink, Rick!*

[@kings656565]

What a guy. Absolutely well done Rick.

[@debbieingram8213]

Interesting Rick im 58 😢❤❤❤❤

[@carolcollinson8245]

Fantastic interview ❤

[@sandraosullivan2100]

Loved the interview.been a fan since 1987..had all his singles albums and no Internet just the TV and raidio❤ .loved all his music and videos..used to send him fan mail..knew his birthday and where he was from..followed his story.eventually got to see him in glasgow this year and he was phenomenal ❤️ 😮loved the songs snd the new material the set and his band.he is so relaxed on stage and very funny loved the concert..a legend loved this interview and his views on flying and wine 🍷 ❤️ he deserves the best.long may he continue to shine.😅❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@davidattwell2574]

I pretended to be a popstar 🎶🎤 for years 🎤🎶😁🎷🎷😂📺😃😃😃😃😃😃😀

[@user-vd1lm9hb5v]

More Rick insight. Interesting points of view. I think Rick thinks his age is too important. That’s ok, but not ok too. He’s not a certain age intellectually, but watch out with that physical age…

[@rosecostanzo341]

What brand of wine do you enjoy?

[@user-te7xc1zh6n]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lauratrentini2474]

❤❤❤❤❤👏👏💞💞💞💞💞

[@stringer-ik1pc]

He wanted the money .then, when it ran out,he wanted to be a pop star.

[@brendandinn4524]

come out bald

[@brendandinn4524]

come out bald

[@malcolmmoses7146]

Rick made s big mistake. Shouldve stayed. Should've stayed a little bit longer with SAW as not long after his departure, SAW started to fail putting top 40 hits consistently. His fans were stunned then and didnt buy into his Soul music afterwards. His timing was bad.