Want to see the moment a grown man gets the chance to be up close and personal with the music icon he has adored for a quarter of a century?

You may have guessed by now the man in question is The Husband, and he is sharing an intimate moment (well as intimate as it gets with a crowd of 1000 others cheering on) with the 80’s pop sensation Rick Astley.

Why was this moment so special, as you may well ask?

The year was 1987, when two 11 year old boys would begin to bond over a shared love of all things pop. One day, during their many schoolyard conversations, they unearthed a mutual music adoration. It was for none other than the Number 1 best selling artist out of the UK, the baby faced Rick Astley of “Never Gonna Give You Up” fame.

It was decided on that fact alone, that the two would just have to become best friends.

Fast forward to 2012 and here are those same two boys, still best of mates, still more than a little obsessed with their first ever music idol and suddenly about to tick an item off their childhood bucket list.  Giddy with glee, they were all decked out in their best double denim Rick Astley themed outfits and ready to relive their glory days as 80’s music lovers.

The boys even showcase their best Rick Astley signature dance moves along with the double denim look he helped make famous

I have to admit, I was a rather reluctant participant in this childhood walk down memory lane. But, being the supportive wife that I am (and knowing I had a major debt to repay, having dragged him along to the Oprah show back in 2010) I prepared myself to be majorly “Rick Rolled”.

Nope, no 80’s outfit for me – party pooper arent I?

Imagine my surprise then that I would actually not only enjoy the concert but be up singing and dancing and cheering with the rest of the sold out crowd. Sure I was the youngest person there (bar the family in the row behind who had their tweens with them, clearly not having been able to get a babysitter for the night!) but there was no denying the fact this man could sing (and still sounds and looks exactly the same 23 years on!) and keep a crowd very entertained. Rick didn’t take himself too seriously either, happy to have a laugh at his own expense and was very gracious with his time as the audience (constantly) angled for their opportunity to get up close and personal with the man who adorned the bedroom wall of many the former teens in the room. Just like this one….

Would the real Rick Astley please raise his hand?

And just in case you felt that Rick (who for many is now more synonymous for the whole “Rick Rolling” phenomenon rather than selling 40 million records in his short 6 year career) might err a bit on the daggy side, check out this tribute to a classic Aussie rick anthem, complete with the man himself on the drums. His cool cred with me alone spiked right here!

So even though I may have been a hesitant participant at first, I walked away with a new found appreciation for this seriously entertaining and effusive performer. More than anything though I was beyond thrilled for the husband and his best mate, who both got to fulfill a childhood dream. It is a safe bet that just as they have done the past 25 years, they ain’t ever gonna give you up, let you down, turn around or desert you Rick. The only difference is I’m now on board the all singing, all (daggy) dancing Rick Astley bandwagon too!