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 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...'
