Fun Trivia : Connolly, Billy

Structure Sub-topic of: Celebrities C-D Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 20 general entries.

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Connolly, Billy

Billy was born on 24th November, 1942. Who were his parents?

Billy Connolly


William Connolly and Mamie McLean. Jack was Billy's grandfather and Iris Pressagh was his first wife and the mother of his children Jamie and Cara.



What was Billy's profession from 1958 till he quit to become an artist?

Billy Connolly


welder.



The first line-up of Humblebums consisted of Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey. After the first record a third person joined Humblebums, eventually taking Tam's place. Who was this guitarist with whom Billy recorded two more records?

Billy Connolly


Gerry Rafferty. Earl Scruggs was one of Billy's early heroes. Jimmy Page played guitar in the infamous Led Zeppelin.



What is Billy's favorite musical instrument, which he plays very well himself?

Billy Connolly


Banjo.



A little anecdote from the early years: in 1970 Billy began performing as a solo artist. His manager, Doug Mitchell, wanted him to play a gig at Glasgow University. Billy didn't think that was a good idea, but went along with it anyway. When he walked on stage, someone in the audience shouted: 'Get aaaff!' How did Billy react?

Billy Connolly


Good-naturedly he replied 'certainly' and immediatly left the stage.. I hope you didn't think Billy started crying. I mean, come on!



What is Billy's nickname in Scotland, the one he got while he was still working in the shipyards?

Billy Connolly


The Big Yin.



Behind every great man stands a strong woman, as they say, and in Billy's case, this is definitely true. Who is Billy's second wife, who made him quit drinking, thereby probably saving his life?

Billy Connolly


Pamela Stephenson. Pam is an Australian born in New Zealand. She starred in the comedy TV show 'Not The Nine O'Clock News' together with Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Rowan Atkinson (who later got very famous as Mr. Bean). In 2001 she wrote a book about her husband, simply entitled 'Billy', which is absolutely great and a recommendation to all Billy fans all over the world. Cheers to Pam.



Billy has five children. Can you give the name of one of them?

Billy Connolly


Jamie .



Billy plays the main male part in the movie 'Mrs. Brown'. Billy is Mr. Brown, a Scotsman who becomes the personal friend of the British queen, whose husband had died. Who played the part of the Queen?

Billy Connolly


Judi Dench. Great movie that shows that Billy is not all jokes and laughter, but that he can play serious roles too. Nae problem for the Big Yin.



In 2001 Billy became 'Dr. Connolly'. Which university offered him an honorary doctorate?

Billy Connolly


Glasgow University. Not bad for a guy who had been labelled 'stupid' all his youth and quit school at the age of 15. Thanks for playing and I leave you with some advice from the man himself: 'Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? ... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes.'



Where did Billy state he always wanted to go to, to see what the army does with those wee red knives?

The Inimitable Billy Connolly


Switzerland. Born in November 1942 in Glasgow, Billy's mother left his father, William Connolly, the son of an Irish immigrant in 1946. Billy left Saint Gerards Secondary School at age 15 and became a welder in the Glasgow Shipyards.



Billy once said that, before you judge a man, "walk a ____ in his shoes. After that, who cares? He's a ____ away and you've got his shoes!"

The Inimitable Billy Connolly


mile. Billy joined the Territorial Army, particularly the Parachute Regiment, and together with Tam Harvey he started a group called the 'Humblebums' and went on to play banjo and guitar with Gerry Rafferty!



Another Billy classic was when he said: "who discovered we could get milk from ____ , and what did he THINK he was doing at the time?"

The Inimitable Billy Connolly


cows. In 1981 Billy 'set up house' with New Zealand born, then comedienne, Pamela Stephenson.



Which country was Billy talking about when he said: "There are two seasons, June and Winter."?

The Inimitable Billy Connolly


Scotland. In 2000 Billy was presented with "The Peoples Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts" and his wife, Pamela Stephenson has penned two books on her favourite subject, 'Billy' in 2001 and 'Bravemouth' in 2003. 'Billy' was awarded 'Best Book' at the prestigious 2002 British Book Awards.