What must Rick Astley think of becoming an Internet celebrity? He's undoubtedly one of the most popular figures online these days, with "rickrolling"--the practice of tricking others into watching the music video for his 1987 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up"--ubiquitous after the creation of YouTube. To date, Astley himself hasn't capitalized on the phenomenon, though he's so in demand that you wonder if he's considered performing "live" rickrolls at events.

This surge of interest in all things Astley is actually the second time that Astley has dominated the pop cultural spotlight. Astley was, for a period in the '80s, a highly rated pop performer, with "Never Gonna Give You Up" one of many, many singles that ranked high on the Billboard charts.

Astley grew up in Newton-Le-Willows, England, a coal-mining town where he was raised with an appreciation of music. He eventually joined the British soul band F.B.I., which released a single self-titled album that was a critical success. Astley's surprisingly deep vocals made him stand out as a singer, and he was eventually offered a recording contract--but just for him, not the rest of the band. Out of loyalty, he declined, but the band's other members eventually encouraged him to pursue a solo career.

His first single, "Never Gonna Give You Up," was a smash success, staying at number one on the British charts for five weeks and proving to be the biggest selling single in the country that year. An album, Whenever You Need Somebody, would follow and prove to be a major seller. It's follow-up, 1988's Hold Me in Your Arms, was another Top 10 hit and led to a world tour.

Astley has continued to turn out albums at an intermittent pace, but still has a strong following both in the U.K. and abroad.