1945-97

Also known as Brian McManus
British singer

Connolly was born to an unmarried woman and remained in hospital care until he was two, when he was fostered by the McManus family, who already had three born-to children. His foster brother was named Mark, and there was also a cousin named Mark McManus - who grew up to become the actor who played Taggart in the British television detective series.

In the 1970s Connolly was a singer with the rock group Sweet. In adulthood he cut himself off from his foster family and claimed that he was in fact the half-brother of the actor.

References

Chalmers, Sarah. "Fallen Glam Rock Idol Brian Connolly ...," Daily Mail [London], 6 March 1997, pp. 46-47
"Brian Connolly: Biography." [Includes portrait]. Available at: http://hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember.2/BrianConnollyBio.html

Indexes

European
Uk/great Britain
20th Century
Music and Dance
Estrangement from Adoptive or Foster Family
Addiction or Abuse (drugs, Alcohol or Gambling)
Formal, American/European-Type Fostering
Birth or Infancy
Unmarried Mother, Single Parent (Mother or Father) Unable to Cope
Others ("Strangers")
Adoptive/Foster Family Included Birth Child(ren)
Unmarried Mother