Richard Paul Astley is an English vocalist who was born in 1966. His collaboration with the production duo Stock Aitken Waterman led to his rise to prominence; their 1987 record Whenever You Need Somebody sold 15 million copies globally.

In addition to becoming a No. 1 success in 25 countries, his breakthrough track "Never Gonna Give You Up" also won the 1988 Brit Award for Best British track. His 1988 hit song "Together Forever" was one of his eight singles to reach the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart and became his second song to top the US Billboard Hot 100. No. 1 smash "Whenever You Need Somebody" was also the title tune.