EXCLUSIVE: Lost negatives showcase Billy Connolly’s Dundee visits in 70s and 80s.

The smiles indicate that Connolly, the consummate entertainer, was cracking jokes and doing what he does best: making people laugh.

Graeme Strachan Previously unknown images have been uncovered, depicting Billy Connolly’s travels to Dundee in 1975 and 1980.

Barry Sullivan, an assistant archivist at DC Thomson, developed photos of the Scots comic legend at his best from long-forgotten negatives.

Barry stated that for any given article, a photographer may take five or six photos, only one or two of which will be published.”

Normally, it is rather evident which photographs were chosen and why. “But in this case, it must have been a difficult choice because they are all so good.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to find new or previously unseen photographs of high-profile individuals in our collection. “So, sourcing these photos of the Big Yin from so long ago was a real treat.”

Connolly was signing autographs and LPs

There was never a dull moment when Connolly visited town. In January 1975, he performed two sold-out concerts at the Caird Hall.

Tickets were priced at £1.75, £1.50, and £1. The first event on Friday night saw Connolly at his daring best. The audience adored it.

The next day, he appeared to Bruce’s Record Shop on Reform Street shortly after noon for a signing ceremony, joined by Rangers footballer Derek Johnstone and pop singer Christian, who was backing Connolly on his comedy tour.

Bruce’s carried Connolly’s early albums, including Cop Yer Whack for This, which featured songs like The Welly Boot Song and Sergeant, Where’s Mine?. They were all priced at £2.30.

The Courier’s headline read, “Reform Street Roar for Billy.” He barely made it into the store when a swarm of primarily young people rushed through the door clutching scraps of paper and demanding his autograph.

Connolly spent a significant amount of time accommodating all requests.

He was cracking jokes and making others laugh. He signed hundreds of autographs and recordings.

Connolly stated, “I’m amazed. “I’ve always enjoyed Dundee, but I never imagined it would be like this.

“I was hoping to go and see the Hibs at Muirton this afternoon with Big Derek but it looks as if I’ll have to miss out.” He wasted a great chance, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw in Perth.

Connolly was pictured backstage before gig

Connolly entertained 2,500 people on his second night at the Caird Hall.

Backstage photographs show him with two female police officers, banjo in hand, while onstage he delivered a mix of music and comedy.

The Courier’s headline read, “Big Yin feeds the 5,000.” It read: “Billy Connolly has departed Dundee a very happy man.

“To borrow a slightly altered well-known phrase, he came, got plugged in, and conquered. “Billy drew approximately 5,000 people to the Caird Hall for his sold-out concerts on Friday and Saturday nights.

“At midday on Saturday, the Glasgow lad staged scenes at a city centre record shop that has traditionally been designated for music stars. “Yes, Billy Connolly is quickly becoming one of Scotland’s most celebrated folk heroes.

“On Saturday night, he had the audience practically eating out of his hand. “He said, ‘Don’t stamp!’ and the stamping stopped.

“‘Sing!’ he commanded when a chorus came along, and the audience duly sung.

“But the Caird Hall stage wasn’t just for the Big Yin. “Singer Christian deserved all the applause he received.” Connolly remained at the Angus Hotel and proceeded to Liverpool the next day.

More images of famous turn at Angus Hotel

A few weeks later, on the night of February 15, his first appearance on Michael Parkinson’s chat show aired, and he became a household name.

He returned to the Caird Hall in September 1975, performing over two nights at 6.30pm and 9pm, with tickets priced at £2.25, £2, £1.75, and £1.50.

Connolly became a frequent visitor to the city.

More unseen photographs include his now-famous performance at a William McGonagall supper.

In January 1980, 500 people attended an event at the Angus Hotel as part of a £200,000 fundraising effort to help pay for the new £1 million Dundee Rep.

The Courier headline read, “Memorable musings may have made McGonagall merry”.

It read: “The traditional piping in of the bonnet signalled a night of speech and song in honour of a man who was not a legend in his own lifetime.

“For it was only generations after his death that William McGonagall, the Prince of Doggerel and master of poor poem, was acclaimed as the genius/idiot that he was.

“Last night, in the Angus Hotel in Dundee, 500 people raised £3,500 for the new Dundee Repertory Theatre in Tay Square, a cause that the disgruntled actor would applaud in his grave.

“The man most of the audience had been waiting for showed up an hour and a half late but did not disappoint.

“William ‘Amethyst’ Connolly, a modern-day McGonagall with brains, entertained the auditorium with a fast brand of wit and repartee, with no script to be seen.”

Forgotten Sunday Post interview from 1974

Along with the negatives, Connolly gave a forgotten interview to The Sunday Post in October 1974, in which he outlined the secret to his success.

“Hard work,” he said during the “Honest Truth” segment. “In show business, there are no shortcuts. “The week before I opened at the King’s in Glasgow, I worked 98 hours.

“The other thing is to maintain your sense of humour. “There was no moment when it suddenly all happened – I just noticed the audience was getting bigger and the bank manager was calling me Sir.”

The interview featured several quick-fire questions. Connolly was asked about his life before becoming renowned.

“I worked as a welder at Fairfield’s, John Brown’s and Alexander Stephen’s,” he told me. “That is where I met the two funniest guys in the world.

“There were two foremen named Lawrie and Dalgleish. “They were so funny I used to race back from dinner – and so did the other apprentices – just to listen to them.” Did he have a hidden fear? “The dark,” he replied.”

We must have the highest electricity bill in the world. “I don’t know why it is, but I keep lights on for as long as I can.”

Big Yin revealed how life in comedy started

How much did he earn in a single night in 1974? “It depends,” he replied. “I still work for free if it’s for a worthy cause.

“I am afraid to tell you how much I have been offered for one night. “I have been paid £3,000 for five concerts.”

Finally, he was asked if he had ever hoped the stage swallowed him up. “The only time I came close was the night I realised I could make people laugh.” “I was singing in a folk club in Paisley.

“I lost the words to a song. “I panicked for a few seconds before I started talking.”That’s how the whole thing really started – by mistake.”

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