Byrne studied at both Edinburgh and Glasgow Schools of Art in the late 50s and early 60s. A superb painter and draughtsman, the multi-talented Byrne is also a first-class playwright (‘The Slab Boys’, ‘Tutti Frutti’), his ear for dialogue is as acute (and witty) as his eye for detail. Much of his subject matter in both disciplines is overtly autobiographical, he often includes or refers to the Teddy Boy/Rock and Roll era of his youth. Byrne has designed record covers for Donovan, The Beatles, Gerry Rafferty and Billy Connolly. His work is held in major collections in Scotland and abroad. Several of his paintings hang in The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, the Museum of Modern Art and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.