Surprisingly, Rick Astley finds his career still thriving.

The British singer-songwriter, infamous for his iconic 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up,” has navigated the peaks of fame and the inevitable lows following it. He transitioned from a life of family to a comeback that has made him much more than just a pop music relic.

In his autobiography “Never” (set to release on Tuesday, published by Pan Macmillan, 292 pages, $30), Astley, who will be 59 on February 6, shares his story with a balanced perspective. He recounts his challenging childhood spent living in a Portakabin with his father and siblings in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, to becoming a significant part of the Stock Aitken Waterman production team, known for countless chart-topping ’80s hits. His journey emphasizes the importance of perseverance.

Astley brings a sense of humor to his writing, revealing a wit reminiscent of a dad enjoying a day out at the park with his children rather than a biting critic. Most prominently, he acknowledges the roles of luck and circumstance in sustaining his successful career.

“There seem to be two Rick Astleys,” he explains in the introduction. “One is the public figure, and one is the private individual, both of whom lead very fulfilling lives. The public side experienced a second chance at success on his own conditions, which is a stark contrast to his initial fame. Meanwhile, the private Rick Astley enjoys a fantastic life by any measure.”

Here are some key insights from “Never.”

A tense family moment: Rick Astley’s brother and their father

Astley recounts that his family life was “far from ordinary.” His father, Horace, had a short fuse, and one fateful day when Astley was 17, an altercation ended with him on the ground after being pushed and kicked.

To his shock, his older brother Mike appeared with a knife, clearly fed up with their father’s behavior. Mike approached Horace, held the knife to his throat, and firmly stated, “I will kill you stone dead if you move an inch.”

Astley couldn’t believe it — Mike was not the type known for such threats. After a brief silence, Horace told them both to leave.

They made their way to their grandmother’s house, with Mike going barefoot, and shared the unsettling incident with their mother, who had separated from their father. Astley was surprised by her reaction, which lacked the shock he expected.

Rickrolling took Rick Astley by surprise

After stepping back from the music scene at 27, following several mainstream hits like “Together Forever,” “It Would Take a Strong Strong Man” and “Cry for Help,” Astley married, had a daughter, and relished his success.

However, in 2007, during a vacation in Italy, a friend sent him a mysterious link. Curiosity led him to click it, only to find himself watching his own “Never Gonna Give You Up” music video.

Perplexed, Astley called the friend, who laughed and revealed he had “Rickrolled Rick Astley!” — a popular internet trick where people are deceived into watching his video.

“I suppose I could have taken offense,” Astley reflects in his book, “but it didn’t seem particularly malicious.”

He dismissed it as a playful internet prank and was pleased to see younger audiences engaging with his song.

Soon, the view count on YouTube skyrocketed, leading to unexpected appearances at live events and even mentions from the Obama administration, resulting in a resurgence of interest in his work.

“I can’t imagine how my career would have turned out without Rickrolling, but it would be foolish to claim it didn’t ultimately benefit me,” Astley writes.

Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters show support for Rick Astley

Rickrolling rekindled Astley’s passion for music, leading him to release “50” in 2016, his first album in over ten years, which became a platinum success in the U.K.

This resurgence didn’t go unnoticed by the Foo Fighters. Initially, they used “Never Gonna Give You Up” as a prank against the Westboro Baptist Church, known for its anti-LGBTQ stances.

Later, Astley found himself sharing the lineup with the band at a Japanese festival, where he learned they were listening to his songs backstage. The Foo Fighters invited other acts to join them by the stage during their set.

Astley and his wife joined the crowd, and in an unexpected turn, frontman Dave Grohl introduced himself to Astley. Shortly after, a roadie handed him a microphone, and he joined the band for a rendition of “Never Gonna Give You Up” in the style of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

A warm friendship blossomed, with Grohl inviting Astley to perform with the Foo Fighters at the California Jam rock festival, expressing his admiration for Astley with a few colorful exclamations.

Astley continues to tour and, in 2023, released his ninth studio album, “Are We There Yet?,” which soared to the top of the U.K. Albums Chart.