Here's my story of how I got to meet one of the greatest pop stars of the 80's!
I've always been a big fan of 80's music, mostly the music of song writing trio Stock/Aitken/Waterman. But it was singer Rick Astley that really took my interest.
Since starting at the age of around 3 listening to Rick Astley singles at home with mum and playing drums on the kitchen stools, trying to sing My Arms Keep Missing You, my interest has only grown. I've spent many weekends at record fairs, music shops and online tracking down Rick records and cds and anything else i could find.
I've researched the rise of his career in books such as 'The Hit Factory' by Mike Stock, and Phil Harding's book 'PWL From The Factory Floor' each detail his success in the 80s and departure from PWL.
I never thought Rick would ever come to Australia, I'd heard in several interviews about his fear of flying and it seemed that Australia would be to far to travel. My surprise when I heard that he would be touring along the east coast of Australia got me so excited, I immediately set to book tickets at one of his shows and got second row centre tickets at his Penrith concert!
My next big step was to try and find where Rick might be whilst in Sydney to try and say hello and meet the great man himself. This was not easy, after sending several emails I wasn't having much luck, but a friend informed me that Rick was appearing at ABC radio one morning at 7:30. So i went to the ABC building with records and pen in hand standing at the front door awaiting Rick. He didn't show, and had come in the back entrance, but the next thing I knew someone from the radio had heard I was outside and was taking me up to meet him. They then told me that they wanted me to join him on radio as one of his fans, WOW!!
I was taken into the studio and there I was standing next to Rick Astley! I was asked about how I got into Rick Astley and showed some of my records and he seemed pretty impressed. Once done we went out to have some photos taken and I asked if Rick would sign some records for me, he was more than happy to.
What a great guy, so kind and polite, not what you would expect a pop star to be like, he had time to talk to his fans and was a pleasure to talk with. The old saying that one should never meet there idols, as you may face disappointment was not happening here.
I attended his show at Penrith with some friends, and what an awesome night it really was. I sang along to every Rick Astley song, trying to do my best Rick dance moves.
I was very lucky to of gotten the chance to meet him and this will be one of my best memories for a long time :)
