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Windswept and Interesting
Windswept and Interesting: My Autobiography | Billy Connolly
3 posts | 4 read | 2 to read
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds. Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart. As a young comedian Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness too. His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal. It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's Disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings... and writing. Windswept and Interesting is Billy's story in his own words. It is joyfully funny - stuffed full of hard-earned wisdom as well as countless digressions on fishing, farting and the joys of dancing naked. It is an unforgettable, life-affirming story of a true comedy legend. 'I didn't know I was Windswept and Interesting until somebody told me. It was a friend who was startlingly exotic himself. He'd just come back from Kashmir and was all billowy shirt and Indian beads. I had long hair and a beard and was swishing around in electric blue flairs. He said: "Look at you - all windswept and interesting!" I just said: "Exactly!" After that, I simply had to maintain my reputation...'
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Rissreads
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Mehso-so

I listened to this, Billy reading Billy. He is a funny guy, no argument there but I would have liked a bit more depth.
Book club book.

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MinnieTimperley
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Pickpick

Listened to the audio: obviously laugh out loud funny, but open, honest and philosophical.

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TheNeverendingTBR
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Pickpick

Okay, basically i just read this in one sitting.

It's very rare for me to do that, i was just so engrossed in it.

It's written so well and chapters are the perfect length.

It's sad, it's interesting and most of all hilarious.

I now understand why this had been highly rated, it was an absolutely brilliant autobiography and possibly the best one I've actually read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4412265433

Check out my full review⤴️

Cathythoughts I must check it out. I‘ve always loved his humour and his kindness 3y
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