Billy Connolly Biography
William Connolly, Jr. is a true example of how one can come from the lowest to the highest imaginable levels, his story is one of rags to riches and going by the stage name Billy Connolly he has established his mark as a talented actor, television personality, and stand-up comedian. Connolly was born on November 24 1942 in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland, UK to parents William and Mary Connolly.
Connolly lived a sad childhood that was filled with one misfortune after the other, first it begun with his father leaving the family for months at a time in order to earn a living in the military. Although he was left under the guardianship of his mother, this was no comfort as the young boy soon found himself all alone after his mother abandoned him. Following this Connolly was taken in by one relative after the other as the wait for his father’s return begun.
With the return of Connolly’s father there was no relief as William Connolly was later alleged to have sexually abused his son for no less than five years. During that time the young boy had to take up manual labour at a local metal work business so that he could fend for the daily needs. Away from work Connelly found the time to attend the St. Peter's Primary School in Glasgow and later the St. Gerard's Secondary School in Govan where he would spend time at the school bands singing folksongs.
A short professional stint that started in 1965 with a folk band named The Humblebums ended in 1970 and Connolly decided to go at it alone. This turned out to be a good move as two years later he released a debut album titled Billy Connolly Live, in addition to this Connolly was already a regular performer at many of the entertainment centres in Glasgow and its environs. The debut album was however not as successful as it was expected and in 1974 Connolly returned with a musical comedy album titled Solo Concert.
More 70’s albums followed this release and they were Get Right Intae Him!, Words and Music, The Big Yin, Atlantic Bridge, Billy Connolly, Raw Meat for the Balcony!, Anthology, and the decade ender was Riotous Assembly. In the 1980’s Connolly released the albums A Change is Good as Arrest, The Pick of Billy Connolly, In Concert, Big Yin Double Helping, An Audience With Billy Connolly, Billy & Albert, and Wreck on Tour.
In the 1990’s Connolly’s career took a halt and he released only four albums that were titled Live at the Odeon Hammersmith London, Musical Tour of Scotland, Comedy and Songs, and One Night Stand Down Under. Since then, Connolly has released the albums The Big Yin - Billy Connolly in Concert, Transatlantic Years, Billy Connolly's Musical Tour of New Zealand, Live in Concert, and The Man Live in London.
Connolly has received mixed reactions from audiences over his vocal stand about the Catholic faith, according to him this religion is solely to blame for the abuse he underwent with his father.
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