Billy Connolly is a Scottish actor, musician, television presenter, artist, and retired stand-up comedian, often referred to as 'The Big Yin.'
Born in a two-room flat in Glasgow, Connolly's early life was marked by hardship, including his mother's departure when he was just four years old.
Connolly began his career as a folk singer in the 1960s after being inspired by musicians at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Biography
Early Life
Sir William Connolly, known affectionately as "The Big Yin," was born on November 24, 1942, in Anderston, Glasgow. Growing up in a modest two-room flat, Connolly's early life was marked by hardship, including the departure of his mother when he was just four years old. Despite these challenges, he developed a resilient spirit and a unique perspective on life, which would later inform his comedic style. His upbringing in a working-class family of partly Irish descent shaped his identity and humor, often reflected in his performances.
Career
Connolly's career began in the 1960s when he transitioned from a boilermaker to a folk singer after being inspired by musicians at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He quickly gained recognition for his observational comedy, characterized by improvisation and a candid approach to storytelling. Over the years, he released numerous albums, including "Cop Yer Whack for This" and "The Great Billy Connolly," showcasing his talents as both a musician and a comedian. His work earned him accolades, including a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a knighthood in 2017 for his contributions to entertainment and charity.
Personal Life
Connolly's personal life has been as colorful as his career. He married Iris Pressagh in 1969, but the couple separated in 1981. He later found love with Pamela Stephenson, marrying her in 1989. Connolly has five children and became a grandfather in 2001. After battling alcoholism, he embraced sobriety in 1986, a decision that profoundly impacted his life. Connolly has also faced health challenges, including Parkinson's disease and ADHD, yet he continues to inspire many with his resilience and humor.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
The Ultimate Collection2020
- 1.Stainless Steel Wellies4:12
- 2.Telling Lies3:53
- 3.Everybody Knows That3:02
- 4.Talkin’ Blues (What’s in a Name)2:57
- 5.Oh, Dear3:39
- 6.Saturday Round About Sunday3:10
- 7.Nobody’s Child5:49
- 8.Song for a Small Man4:34
- 9.Leo McGuire’s Song3:34
- 10.Cruisin’3:23
- 11.The Jobbie Weecha!!! / Please Help Me, I’m Falling16:13
- 12.If It Wasnae for Your Wellies3:26
- 13.A Little of Your Time3:29
- 14.A Life in the Day Of / Glasgow Central11:32
- 15.The Short‐Haired Police Cadet3:12
- 16.Silk Pyjamas2:38
- 17.Marie’s Wedding (Musical Appreciation): The Music Teacher9:23
- 18.Winchburgh Junction3:40
- 19.The Donkey3:02
- 20.My Apartment2:56
- 21.Glasgow Accents… Nine and a Half Guitars9:10
- 22.Harry3:05
- 23.Near You7:24
- 24.Little Blue Lady1:51
- 25.Harry Campbell and the Heavies7:13
- 26.Good Love3:18
- 27.Saltcoats at the Fair3:21
- 28.McGinty7:13
- 29.Why Don’t They Come Back to Dunoon4:19
- 30.The Crucifixion15:22
Billy Connolly's Musical Tour of New Zealand2004
- 1.Billy's Bobby Theme3:16
- 2.Billy's Fast Waltz4:12
- 3.Billy's Slow Waltz6:06
- 4.Billy's Reel3:12
- 5.Banjo Reel1:29
- 6.Wandering Soul4:12
- 7.Billy's Breton6:57
- 8.Shaeffer Jig0:50
- 9.Billy's Strathspey3:08
- 10.The Rose of Sharon 12:02
- 11.Billy's Jig4:33
- 12.Carnival of Venice1:46
- 13.Billy's Slow Air6:20
- 14.Billy's March5:19
- 15.The Cuckoo0:57
- 16.The Rose of Sharon 21:21
- 17.Pokarekare ana1:25
Billy Connolly Live, Dublin 20022002
- 1.Live in Dublin, Side 123:53
- 2.Live in Dublin, Side 221:21
- 3.Live in Dublin, Side 325:05
- 4.Live in Dublin, Side 424:48
The Great Billy Connolly2002
- 1.Glasgow Accents; 9 1/2 Guitars9:16
- 2.Marie's Wedding: The Music Teacher; Campbell's Farewell to Redcastle; Soldier's Joy; Marie's Wedding9:22
- 3.Harry Campbell and the Heavies; The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise7:13
- 4.Nobody's Child5:51
- 5.A Life in the Day Of; Glasgow Central11:32
- 6.Leo Maguire's Song3:37
- 7.The Crucifixion15:55
- 8.The Jobbie Wheecha; Please Help Me, I'm Falling16:10
- 9.If It Wasnae for Your Wellies3:23
- 10.Glasgow Central1:52
- 11.McGinty7:09
- 12.Near You7:25
- 13.Oh Dear3:39
- 14.Stainless Steel Wellies4:09
- 15.Song for a Small Man4:30
- 16.Talkin' Blues (What's in a Name)2:50
- 17.Telling Lies3:52
- 18.The Donkey3:04
- 19.Everybody Knows That3:02
- 20.Little Blue Lady1:51
- 21.Saltcoats at the Fair3:20
- 22.Silk Pyjamas2:36
- 23.Why Don't They Come Back to Dunoon4:18
- 24.Cruisin'3:22
- 25.A Little of Your Time3:08
- 26.Good Love3:10
- 27.Winchburgh Junction3:36
- 28.The Short Haired Police Cadet3:13
Transatlantic Years2001
- 1.Everybody Knows That3:04
- 2.Little Blue Lady1:50
- 3.Saltcoats at the Fair3:21
- 4.Silk Pyjamas2:36
- 5.Why Don’t They Come Back to Dunoon4:19
- 6.Cruisin’3:24
- 7.A Little of Your Time3:12
- 8.Glasgow Central1:53
- 9.Good Love3:12
- 10.McGinty7:11
- 11.Near You7:26
- 12.Oh, Dear3:40
- 13.Song for a Small Man4:36
- 14.Stainless Steel Wellies4:12
- 15.Telling Lies3:49
- 16.The Donkey3:02
- 17.Winchburgh Junction3:38
- 18.If It Wasnae for Your Wellies3:26
- 19.Talkin’ Blues (What’s in a Name)2:57
- 20.The Short Haired Police Cadet3:10
- 21.Glasgow Accents / 9 1/2 Guitars9:15
- 22.Marie’s Wedding (The Music Teacher / Campbell’s Farewell to Redcastle / Soldier’s Joy / Marie’s Wedding)9:21
- 23.Harry Campbell / The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise7:13
- 24.Nobody’s Child5:50
- 25.A Life in the Day Of / Glasgow Central11:31
- 26.Leo Maguire’s Song3:37
- 27.Crucifixion15:55
- 28.Jobbie Wheecha / Please Help Me I’m Falling16:10
Classic Connolly in Words and Music2000
- 1.Have You Ever Thought About Being A Pervert / Football Violence
- 2.Pain In The Ass t
- 3.Marvo And The Lovely Doreent
- 4.How Rotten For Daphnet
- 5.D.I.V.O.R.C.E.t
- 6.The Walker...The Parachutist / As Usual
- 7.Gandhi's Revenge
- 8.In The Brownies
- 9.Ivan The Terrible / The C & W Supersong
Comedy & Songs1999
- 1.Glasgow Accents... Nine and a Half Guitars9:19
- 2.Maries's Wedding (Musical Appreciation)9:32
- 3.The Jobbie Weecha!!!16:06
- 4.The Short-Haired Police Cadet3:06
- 5.Harry Campbell and the Heavies7:14
- 6.Leo McGuire's Story3:29
- 7.A Life in the Day Of11:44
- 8.Steel Wellies?4:13
- 9.Mystery Two3:50
Classic Connolly1998
- 1.The Crucifixion15:34
- 2.The Jobbie Weecha!!!! / Please Help Me, I'm Falling16:13
- 3.The Short-Haired Police Cadet3:10
- 4.Marie's Wedding (Musical Appreciation): The Music Teacher / Campbell's Fairwell to Redcastle / Soldier's Joy / Marie's Wedding9:35
- 5.Glasgow Accents / Nine and a Half Guitars9:03
- 6.Nobody's Child5:55
- 7.Leo McGuire's Song3:47
Musical Tour of Scotland1995
- 1.Banjoland2:26
- 2.The Islands Theme3:33
- 3.The Waltzing Fool3:19
- 4.Tangle of the Isles Theme3:15
- 5.Glasgow3:29
- 6.Flower of Scotland Theme2:40
- 7.Campbell's Farewell1:11
- 8.Will Ye Go3:18
- 9.From Here to Claire2:45
- 10.The Islands4:29
- 11.Waltz of the Waves1:25
- 12.Tangle of the Isles3:03
- 13.Barges2:51
- 14.Flower of Scotland3:07
- 15.Glasgow Theme3:13
- 16.Will Ye Go Theme2:46
- 17.Irish Heartbeat4:55
More Classic Connolly - Wreck on Tour & Atlantic Bridge1994
- 1.Swearing and the Use of Bad Language30:22
- 2.Songwriting (Pre-Rock-N-Roll)3:03
- 3.Chick Murray's Wife in Blackpool9:31
- 4.How Did Bob Monkhouse Get So Shiny?0:54
- 5.Cycling Equipment13:13
- 6.The Rowan Tree/Barwick Green3:29
- 7.The Orient Express12:49
- 8.The Vaseline Salesman17:32
- 9.The Shitkickers Waltz29:36
Highlights & Footlights1993
- 1.When in Rome5:49
- 2.Teenage Parties4:15
- 3.The Great Marvo and the Lovely Doreen9:19
- 4.Sexie Sadie and the Lovely Raquel9:33
- 5.Gandhi's Revenge5:52
- 6.Pain in My Ass5:59
- 7.Have You Ever Thought About Being a Pervert7:57
- 8.Football Violence6:02
- 9.Ivan the Terrible4:45
- 10.The Two Laplanders1:21
- 11.Rentalaugh - The Vaseline Salesman7:16
- 12.Rodney and Cynthia3:13
Live at the Odeon Hammersmith London1991
- 1.Live at the Odeon Hammersmith London49:50
A Change Is as Good as Arrest1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
Riotous Assembly1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Anthology1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Raw Meat for the Balcony1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
Atlantic Bridge1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
Get Right Intae Him1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Cop Yer Whack for This1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Solo Concert1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Live1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Glasgow Accents - Stories & Songs
Tracklist not collected yet.
Mini Concert
Tracklist not collected yet.
On Tour With the Big Yin
Tracklist not collected yet.
Brave Read-Along Storybook and CD2012
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Polydor Records
Achievements
- Award
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Award
- Knight Bachelor
- Award
- British Academy Scotland Awards
- Award
- Chortle Awards
Groups
- The Humblebumsoriginalcurrent
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Sir William Connolly is a Scottish actor, musician, television presenter, artist and retired stand-up comedian. He is sometimes known by the Scots nickname the Big Yin. Known for his idiosyncratic and often improvised observational comedy, frequently including strong language, Connolly has topped many UK polls as the greatest stand-up comedian of all time. In 2017, he was knighted at Buckingham Palace for services to entertainment and charity. In 2022, he received the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…