The Manchester Evening News has a charming profile of the long-in-hiding blue-eyed soul singer Rick Astley, who opted out from stardom in 1993 but is touring this summer on the Here and Now Tour. (That’s the tour where artists’ set lengths are determined by the number of big hits they had.) The piece has many charming details–Rick has a daughter, is working on a screenplay, and probably won’t drop a new album anytime soon–but it would appear that while the reporter mentioned the Rickrolling phenomenon in the piece, he didn’t ask Astley about it. How come? Because Astley fondly mentions being Rickrolled by freaking Family Guy, saying “whoever they get to do the voice is absolutely brilliant… I’ve played that to more people than I’ve played any record I’ve made. It’s priceless.” Sigh. Rick. You were so cute! [Manchester Evening News]
Comebacks
Rick Astley, “Family Guy” Fan
Categories:
Comebacks
Comebacks
“Family Guy.” The Steely Dan of animated tangent-based comedy? People who love it won’t shut up about it, and people who hate it would surgically enlouden their vocal cords if they could to tell you how much it sucks.
Frankly, if the Rickster is for it, than who am I to front? Who am any of us, for that matter?
If you hate Family Guy, you take television too seriously.
Oh, I think Nick Lowe had it right when he famously rhymed “Astley” with “ghastly.”
the thing I’ve found about people who hate Family Guy is that they really love telling you they hate Family Guy.
@Dr. Jerry Donkey Punch: I really hate Family Guy. I really hate that the show needs a talking baby AND a talking dog. I hate shows about lame fat men and their emotionally neglected wives. And I hate that about half of the RISD alumni store is now dedicated to Family Guy merchandise.
@Dr. Jerry Donkey Punch: I hate that show.
That WAS utterly charming, though. He’s like the Bill Withers of late 80s/early 90s pop. Um, well, maybe that’s overstating things a bit.
Rick’s one of those 80s guys, like Terence Trent D’Arby, that when I hear the great voice — diminished by the insipid songwriting and stiff, dated production — I find myself wondering what they could do with, say, the Dap-Kings backing them and Holland/Dozier/Holland providing the songs.
For your enjoyment — not a video, I promise (and I apologize to those who’ve already been forwarded this a few dozen times):
[flickr.com]
Hating the Family Guy is a proud badge of honor to tell the world you have the courage to hate pop culture fads who hit their peak 4 years ago. I can’t wait for the 2011 backlash against American Idol!
@Hiphopopotamus: Why wait until 2011? I hate American Idol.