Rick Astley at Solaire Resort & Casino

MANILA, Philippines - During the mid-‘80s, the music of Rick Astley (photo) ruled the airwaves with his catchy melodies, cool ensemble and patented dance moves, which are all now part of global pop music history.

Fast forward more than two decades later and his Filipino fans will again get to relive the vibrant sound that enabled the hit singles Together Forever and Never Gonna Give You Up bust the charts in the ’80s. The English sensation is set to hold a one-night-only show at the Solaire Resort & Casino’s The Theatre on Nov. 30, featuring the so-called “Astley canon.” Aside from the two songs, these are the dance floor classics My Arms Keep Missing You, It Will Take A Strong, Strong Man, Take Me To Your Heart, She Wants To Dance With Me and Whenever You Need Somebody.

Even the usual “down” time in a show becomes special with Astley in the house. Some of his mid-tempo and ballads were smash tunes in their own right, including his remake of When I Fall In Love; the gospel music-inspired Cry For Help; and the tender Hold Me In Your Arms, all perfect for his distinctive rich, deep voice.

To date, Astley’s albums have collectively breached the 40 millionth mark — quite an achievement, indeed.

Astley’s story is one for the books, too. When Stock Aitken Waterman discovered Astley, he was said to have been painfully shy that they had to groom him into the superstar he was destined to be. Urban legend has it that to do this, they hired him initially as the recording studio “tea boy” so he could learn the recording process from a distance. Little did he know that soon enough, he’d be performing to a global audience of 100 million at the BRIT Awards where Never Gonna Give You Up was named Best British Single of 1988.

Astley has had more than 15 chart toppers worldwide, enough for a hits-only repertoire. He went on hiatus in 1993 to focus on family, then made a comeback a full decade later. He is now also known as radio personality. The British musician was voted “Best Act Ever” by Internet users at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Truly, Astley still astounds.

Astley’s concert in Manila is presented by Solaire Resort & Casino. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.