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INSANE: Matt aitken - The Real Truth

“Everything that's come – ever since the very first recordings we made – has made things slower, not faster”: Better music technology hasn’t made life easier for producers than it was in the ‘80s, says Mike Stock

Plus, the gear behind the SAW magic and what he learned from Paul McCartney

“All the notes are different, but the feel of it and the rhythm of it gives that track an extra little kick”: Producer Mike Stock on the secret sauce in Rick Astley's biggest song, why Stock Aitken Waterman was never a 'hit factory', and new music

“All the notes are different, but the feel of it and the rhythm of it gives that track an extra little kick”: Producer Mike Stock on the secret sauce in Rick Astley's biggest song, why Stock Aitken Waterman was never a 'hit factory', and new music

"It made us sound like a sausage factory – that we were just churning them out – and that couldn't be further from the truth, because we always put the time and the hours and the effort in"

“Put Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter back in the 1980s and they couldn’t have got arrested": Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley songwriter/producer Mike Stock says that modern pop stars would have struggled to make an impact back in the day

“Put Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter back in the 1980s and they couldn’t have got arrested": Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley songwriter/producer Mike Stock says that modern pop stars would have struggled to make an impact back in the day

"They don’t have to worry about the song," he argues

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

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I Should Be So Lucky hitmaker Mike Stock never expected Kylie Minogue to become a star

Mike Stock says he initially doubted Kylie Minogue’s star potential before accidentally creating her first No.1 hit in under an hour.

Take That were turned down by Stock Aitken Waterman

Stock Aitken and Waterman turned down working with Take That because their management at the time offered "derogatory" terms.

Stock Aitken Waterman reveal desperate lengths fans went to meet idols like Kylie and Jason Donovan

EXCLUSIVE The police would even make cups of tea for some die-hard autograph hunters

Evening Standard

Stock Aitken Waterman reveal 40th anniversary celebration plans for first number one single

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman have revealed how they will mark the 40th anniversary of their first number one single, Dead or Alive's 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)' - they'll have a trip to the pub.

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Stock, Aitken and Waterman unveil blue plaque outside London ‘Hit Factory’

Stock, Aitken and Waterman unveil blue plaque outside London ‘Hit Factory’

The trio penned many of the enduring hits of the 1980s and 1990s.

Evening Standard

'What a terrific honour...' Stock Aitken Waterman receive Blue Plaque recognising their contribution to British music

'What a terrific honour...' Stock Aitken Waterman receive Blue Plaque recognising their contribution to British music

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman unveiled their Blue Plaque outside their former The Vine Yard studio, in London, on Wednesday afternoon.

Stock Aitken Waterman’s 20 greatest songs – ranked!

Stock Aitken Waterman’s 20 greatest songs – ranked!

As a musical featuring the British production trio’s songs tours the UK, we list their best tracks – from Divine to Dead or Alive

The Guardian - UK

Pete Waterman’s penthouse for sale for £1.35m – near Stock Aitken Waterman ‘hit factory’ studios

The producer’s songwriting partnership sent Kylie stratospheric and produced seven number ones in 1989 alone

Evening Standard

Secret SAWs: the story of the impossible sampler that made the Stock Aitken Waterman smashes, and the backroom boys that pushed it to its limits

Secret SAWs: the story of the impossible sampler that made the Stock Aitken Waterman smashes, and the backroom boys that pushed it to its limits

Keyboards came and went throughout SAW’s hundreds of hits, but one box kept delivering the tricks. Think you know sampling? Think again

World premiere of Stock Aitken and Waterman musical I Should Be So Lucky featuring songs of Kylie and Jason in Manchester

World premiere of Stock Aitken and Waterman musical I Should Be So Lucky featuring songs of Kylie and Jason in Manchester

"A truly original and shamelessly enjoyable rollercoaster ride through our hits."

Manchester Evening News

Stock Aitken Waterman to reunite for Channel 5 documentary about chart-topping music trio

Stock Aitken Waterman to reunite for Channel 5 documentary about chart-topping music trio

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman – known as Stock Aitken Waterman – are set to be the focus of a new docuseries which will explore the pop music producers' success in the industry

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Rick Astley on shunning limelight at height of fame - and how he calms down superfans

Icon Rick Astley is rolling back the years after appearing with the Foo Fighters but recalls how he 'didn't have the heart and energy' for fame when he made it big

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