Windswept & Interesting

My Autobiography

By: Billy Connolly

Narrated by: Billy Connolly

WINNER OF THE 2022 BRITISH BOOK AWARDS AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR: NON-FICTION

The funny, frank and full autobiography of the nation's favourite comedian.

'It's the first time I've done this. Other people have written about me - or for me - but this time it's just my own life in my own words'

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...'

(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2021 Billy Connolly

Critic reviews

Billy Connolly's long and vivid life makes for a joyous memoir

There are a lot of laughs and love in the book, but a great grimness to it as well.

This is everything a celebrity autobiography should be and more.

Missing his Welles in the Keys

I met Billy Connery at Newark airport , he was behind me at passport control, and then again at baggage claim. We had several brief chats, and it was nice to meet your hero, and think even more of him after. Book was wind swept and very interesting . From fellow Glaswegian and Tim .

Classic Billy but left me wanting more!

Billy is an institution and genuinely one of a kind. I enjoyed this book but wished it were longer, and had more details of his various adventures he has had in his incredible life to date.

absolutely brilliant

loved every word, grunt, groan & eeeeowww. Conamara is in the west of Ireland

F&#king brilliant 😎

Absolutely loved it start to finish. Didn't want it to stop. Makes you feel like Billy's a personal friend by the end 😊.

LOVES! My inspiration: Sir Connolly

This has every aspect of a epic story love, hate, colourful characters;) nutters and the like with lots of fuck off. I’m a dedicated doppelgänger at this point! I really needed the laughs and it has opened the door for me to talk about some past experiences. Addiction is no joke and I’m happy to hear that someone made something of themselves. Proof is in the pudding.