Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly

by Pete Clemons

There have recently been a few programmes on TV involving Billy Connolly. They have been reminding us of Billy’s past achievements. And Billy, himself, has been reminiscing along with us. Sadly, Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson's - a neurological condition that impacts movement and speech – several years ago. But apart from physically, he doesn’t appear to have lost his spark.

Billy Connolly left the shipyards of Glasgow during the mid-1960s. He particularly remembers a conversation with fellow welder Willie McGuiness. The words: ‘You don’t want to be sitting here, an old man, who wanted to be a folk singer. If you are keen on it then do it now’ were ringing in his ear and he acted upon that advise.

As still happens today, those who think differently, tend to find each other and gravitate toward each other. Back then though, these people were more identifiable by the way let their hair grow long. Together these types of people did anything other than the ordinary. Tam Harvey and John Byrne were two of the artists who befriended Billy. (50 years on and John Byrne has recently had an exhibition at the National Portrait gallery in Edinburgh).

During 1965 Billy and Tam Harvey formed The Humblebums, a name derived from a play on the word Hobo. Billy playing banjo an instrument that he had discovered a few years earlier and practised at every moment he could.

At gigs, Billy introduced them both to the audience by saying, ‘My name's Billy Connolly, and I'm humble. This is Tam Harvey, he's a bum’.

Gerry Rafferty met Billy during 1968 while sharing a bus in Paisley. The pair recognised in each other, things others didn’t. Gerry, who already knew John Byrne, mentioned to John that he had just met the funniest man he had ever come across. John would animate Billy throughout his career. Gerry joined The Humblebums, expanding the band to a trio, but it then became a duo again after Tam Harvey left.

Gerry Rafferty was writing some strong songs and was dedicated to ‘making it’ and this, in turn, influenced Billy. As The Humblebums, Billy told stories while Gerry played the songs. But it seems that the stories were becoming longer and were overtaking the concerts. A strain developed between the pair and, in all places, at Queen Street Station, Glasgow, they made the decision to split. Apparently, it was all very amicable. The Humblebums had given Billy the desire to be more than just a comic.

Billy was also becoming known for his colourful and outrageous clothes as well as causing some controversy with his observational brand of humour. One famous example of this was a sketch called The Crucifixion. Apparently, the whole sketch had begun years earlier in the Saracens Head pub on Gallowgate, Glasgow.

Billy and Tam Harvey frequented the pub regularly. Tam told Billy a story that, over time, Billy added to and expanded upon. Essentially the story picked up on an alleged spelling mistake in the bible and that the last supper had really taken place in Gallowgate, and not Galilee. And this, I understand, is how The Crucifixion sketch began.

Billy Connolly shot to fame after several appearances on the Michael Parkinson chat show. He starred in his own comedy shows and tours and then moved into the world of humorous travelogues, where again, he created many popular prime time TV series. His career took another dramatic turn when he featured in several blockbuster films.

Billy appeared in Coventry several times at the theatre. And there was even on appearance at the start of his solo career which took place at The Bear Inn folk club that once stood on the High Street. I am also, fairly-certain, that The Humblebums once appeared at the Elastic Inn folk club. But I need to find evidence to prove that one.

The one thing Billy has unknowingly given me is the ability to laugh at myself and to not take life too seriously.

The Humblebums