Music History for March 12 - Rick Astley

On this day in 1988, Rick Astley had the #1 single in the country with "Never Gonna Give You Up." He stayed on top for just one week, between George Michael's "Father Figure" and "Man in the Mirror" from Michael Jackson.

Many fans were surprised to learn the deep, soulful voice came from a 22 year old white guy from the U.K. After fading from the spotlight in the 1990's, Rick Astley became an Internet sensation thanks to what started as an April Fool's Day prank in 2007. Known as "Rickrolling," Astley's video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" would randomly pop up in the place of other video content on the website You Tube.

"I think it's just one of those odd things where something gets picked up and people run with it," Astley told the Los Angeles Times in 2008, adding: "That's what's brilliant about the Internet."

With the help of fans' votes, in 2008 Rick Astley won the MTV Europe award for Best Act Ever with his hit "Never Gonna Give You Up".