Whether you regard him as the subject of one of the world’s greatest music memes, or as one of the world’s greatest one hit wonders, you can’t deny the level of fame that Rick Astley has gained over the years. But now, close friend and frequent live collaborator Dave Grohl has gone on record with his love for the English musican, going to far as to liken him to Muhammad Ali.

In recent years, Rick Astley has been known to drop a cover of the Foo Fighters’ 1997 hit ‘Everlong’ into his live sets. Then, after the band met Astley in Japan, they began to occasionally call on him to perform his classic hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ with them on stage.

Now, in a recent interview with NME, Dave Grohl has opened up on his relationship with Rick Astley, heaping praise on him, and even considering him to be a member of the band.

“Rick is the man,” said Dave Grohl. “The seventh Foo Fighter. He’s such a sweetheart.”

“I love that he gets nervous before playing,” Grohl added. “He’s Rick Astley! It’s like he’s Muhammad Ali! You just wouldn’t be nervous, but he’s such a good guy.”

NME also noted that the pair had recently hinted at a potential collaboration of sorts, with Astley saying in a recent interview that he is “going to try and write with some other people because I want to experience that.”

When asked whether or not he might end up recording with the Foo Fighters, Astley gave a hesitant reply, stating “There you go. It’s funny that actually. I think it is really brave when artists like that do that.”

“You might upset the audience, the critics etc. I think they just think, y’know what – we are doing it.  He’s in the studio next door, we are doing it.”

With the Foo Fighters set to hit up Australia early next year for a headline tour with Weezer, keep an eye on Rick Astley’s movements, because we wouldn’t put it past him to turn up somewhere in Australia to help Rickroll the audience.

Watch Rick Astley & the Foo Fighters play ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’:

YouTube VideoPlay

Foo Fighters 2018 Australian Tour

Plus special guests Weezer

Saturday, January 20th, 2018
nib Stadium, Perth (All Ages)
(With Cosmic Kahuna)

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide (All Ages)
(With Amyl And The Sniffers)

Thursday, January 25th, 2018
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (All Ages)
(With DZ Deathrays)

Saturday, January 27th, 2018
ANZ Stadium, Sydney (All Ages)
(With The Preatures)

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (All Ages)
(With Clowns)

Tickets on sale now

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