Billy Connolly Boeken

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...'

Outrageously funny story-telling from the nation's favourite comedian: Tall Tales and Wee Stories brings together the 'Best of Billy Connolly'. 'One of stand-up's great naturals. No one told a story better.' Guardian

Travelling by plane, motorbike, boat and on foot, Billy Connolly tours the length and breadth of Australia with his stage show, and delivers a personal commentary on what he sees. The book encompasses a wide variety of characters, and also excerpts from Connolly's stage act.

The book features a delightful blend of selected artworks and humorous anecdotes from renowned comedian Billy Connolly, showcasing his artistic journey. Originating from his debut fine art exhibition, "Born on a Rainy Day," the collection highlights Connolly's unique perspective and creativity, offering readers an intimate look at his life and inspirations.

In my fantasy of the Rambling Man who is something of a hobo, walking - or maybe jumping into the car of a moving train - is what he does. He slings his guitar or banjo over his shoulder and strides out along the road to the next town. There he plays a few songs at a local gig and meets a beautiful woman who feeds and shags him. It's a wonderful life, and a million miles better than sitting on your couch watching reality TV.During his lifetime of global adventures, Sir Billy Connolly's genuine curiosity and natural ability to connect with the people he meets on the road has made him a true 'citizen of the world'. A good trip, in my book, should be littered with little detours. Travelling from A to B is all very well, but you risk missing out on so much . . . In RAMBLING MAN, Billy takes us with him on his incredible journeys criss- crossing the world. But this is no conventional travel memoir. From Ireland to India, Australia to the Arctic, we join the Big Yin on an international voyage full of detours, digressions and the most eccentric of characters - all underscored by the chosen soundtrack of the ultimate ramblin' man himself.

A book of global adventures with Billy Connolly - an unconventional travel memoir that crisscrosses the world, encapsulating a lifetime of incredible journeys and hundreds of fascinating encounters.

Billy Connoly - milovník hudby, motorkář, metla všeho nudného a všedního, snil o cestě po legendární Route 66 od chvíle, kdy poprvé uslyšel Chucka Berryho zpívat tu nejskvělejší rock 'n' rollovou nahrávku všech dob. A nyní dostal svojí šanci - vydává se na své na míru postavené tříkolce hledat skutečnou Ameriku, která ještě stále může být nalezena mimo dálnice tohoto národa. Na cestě po všech z jejích 3 666 kilometrů (2 278 mil) od mrakodrapů Chicaga po Molo v Santa Monice v Kalifornii, Billyho cesta ho vede kolem mnoha základních ikon Spojených států: Gateway Arch v St Louis, Monument Valley a Grand Canyon, a pár pozůstalých jedinečných, neonem osvícených čerpacích stanic a jídelen, které kdysi tuto cestu lemovaly. Ale také mu tato cesta dává příležitost poznat lidi, kteří tuto silnici považují za svůj domov, od Mervina, amišského truhláře, k Robovi, který je tak jako Billy nadšeným příznivcem bendža, a obsesivním sběratelem hudebních nástrojů, k Angelovi, který je jedním z mnoha lidí, kteří jsou odhodlaní udržet ducha Matky Cest naživu. Vtipné, dojímavé a inspirující zároveň, příběhy, které na své cestě sbírá, vyprávějí příběh moderní Ameriky. A možná inspirují pár lidí, aby taky usedli na své motorky. Se svým instinktem pro dobrý příběh, který nemá konkurenci, a s nakažlivým entuziasmem, který ho udělal naším nejpodmanivějším národním pokladem, Billy Connolly je vrcholným průvodcem na vrcholném silničním výletě.