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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCONNOLLY, Billy(b 24 Nov. '42, Glasgow) Folksinger, songwriter, comedian. Apprentice welder in Scottish shipyards, then in Territorial Army; new career began in folk clubs mid-'60s. Made albums with Gerry Rafferty in The Humblebums; went solo, but shaggy dog stories between the songs got longer until they took over. Moved south c'71, eventually playing to Scottish expatriates in USA and Far East. In Scotland "The Big Yin' was a superstar, but not until mid-'70s did other UK audiences appreciate (or understand) him. Live LPs Cop Yer Whack For This '74, Get Right Intae Him '75 captured his rambling, bawdy, scatological stories, often about inebriation: when this fails it is dismal, but he's on form more often than not. His version of Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E' was UK no. 1 '75; answer to Village People's "In The Navy' was "In The Brownies'; his anthem was the silly, endearing "Welly Boot Song'. LP Atlantic Bridge '76 incl. his definitive C&W song, "The Shitkicker's Waltz'. He diversified, appearing with Richard Burton in Absolution, Michael Caine in Water '84; on stage in straight dramatic role in The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B early '80s; has appeared at Amnesty International shows. Relationship with TV comedienne Pamela Stephenson was widely reported, much to his annoyance. |