EDIT: Honestly, a lot of people known for being in a meme probably do a pretty good job of fitting into this camp, outside of maybe where viral marketing campaigns have managed to intentionally create successful memes themselves.
It’s such a funny example. He was so famous in the 80s!
Never Gonna Give You Up was literally #1 in 25 countries in 1988. He was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Tracy Chapman.
He’s sold 40 million albums.
During the period between his debut release and his fifth single (in 1988), Astley outsold every other artist in the world. (From his Wikipedia article)
I would argue he wasn’t accidentally famous at all, as he partnered with the Hit Factory. They produced Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” in 1985.
“I knew, though, that when I got my turn, it would be a big thing, because Stock Aitken Waterman were becoming this big hit machine.”
Having a big hit is why he started working at their production studio as a “tea boy.”
Rick Astley, of “Never Gonna Give You Up” fame.
EDIT: Honestly, a lot of people known for being in a meme probably do a pretty good job of fitting into this camp, outside of maybe where viral marketing campaigns have managed to intentionally create successful memes themselves.
He was plenty famous before the meme.
It’s such a funny example. He was so famous in the 80s!
Never Gonna Give You Up was literally #1 in 25 countries in 1988. He was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Tracy Chapman.
He’s sold 40 million albums.
During the period between his debut release and his fifth single (in 1988), Astley outsold every other artist in the world. (From his Wikipedia article)
I would argue he wasn’t accidentally famous at all, as he partnered with the Hit Factory. They produced Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” in 1985.
Having a big hit is why he started working at their production studio as a “tea boy.”