The Old Grey Whistle Test
The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.
Type: tv
Season: 16
Episode: N/A
Duration: 60 minutes
Release: 1971-09-21
Rating: 7.5
Season 1 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1971-09-21
1971-09-28
1971-10-05
1971-10-12
1971-10-19
1971-10-26
1971-11-02
1971-11-09
1971-11-16
1971-11-23
1971-11-30
1971-12-07
1971-12-14
1971-12-28
1972-01-04
1972-01-11
1972-01-18
1972-01-25
1972-02-01
1972-02-08
1972-02-15
1972-02-22
1972-02-29
1972-03-07
1972-03-14
1972-03-21
1972-03-28
1972-04-04
1972-04-11
1972-04-18
1972-04-25
1972-05-02
1972-05-09
1972-05-23
1972-05-30
1972-06-06
1972-06-13
1972-06-20
1972-06-27
1972-07-04
1972-07-11
Season 2 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1972-09-19
1972-09-26
1972-10-03
1972-10-10
1972-10-17
1972-10-24
Birtha: Free Spirit / Too Much Woman For The Henpecked Man
Mike Hugg: Blue Suede Shoes Again
Rick Wakeman Interview
1972-10-31
1972-11-07
1972-11-15
1972-11-21
1972-11-28
1972-12-05
1972-12-12
The guys in Focus were jamming in a small BBC studio in the heart of Television Centre, rehearsing for their first appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test.
It was 12th December 1972, The atmosphere was great, very light-hearted and enjoyable as the band rehearsed its set. They decided to play 'Sylvia', 'Anonymous II' and 'Hocus Pocus', with a seasonal slant. Instead of following the usual pattern of the vocal breaks, This launched into a mock-serious yodelling version of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas...’ building up to that top falsetto with a heart-rending ‘And a Happy New Yeeeeeaaaaarrr...’, tailing off into Jan’s million miles an hour guitar playing.
The performance was an absolute sensation. People had never seen anything quite like them before.
1972-12-19
1972-12-26
Alice Cooper: Under My Wheels Dion / Runaround Sue
David Bowie: Queen Bitch
Ten Wheel Drive: The Night I Got Out of Jail
The Beach Boys: You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone
Steve Miller Band: Living in the USA
Vinegar Joe: Rusty Red Armour
Carole King and Merry Clayton: Oh No Not My Baby
Curtis Mayfield: Keep On Keeping On
Mick Jagger: Interview
The Rolling Stones: Tumbling Dice
Poco: Just For Me and You
The Beatles: Some Other Guy
Roxy Music: Ladytron
Stevie Wonder: Interview
Janis Ian: He’s A Rainbow
Jerry Lee Lewis: Think About It Darlin’
Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge: Help Me Make it Through the Night
1973-01-09
J. Geils Band: Looking for a Love / Floyds Hotel
Joan Armatrading: Child Star / Give it a Try
David Geffen interview
Captain Beefheart : Some Yo Yo Stuff (filmfinders) Barclay James Harvest: Thank You (Marquee film)
Exuma: Baby Let Me In (filmfinders)
1973-03-16
1973-01-23
Roberta Flack: Sonny and Sister Joy / I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer
Mike Absalom: Hector the Dope Sniffing Hound / Saga of WPC Sadie Stick
The Rolling Stones: Happy, All Down The Line (concert clips)
Frank Zappa: Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus (filmfinders clip)
1973-01-30
The Who: The Relay / Long Live Rock
Claire Hammill: The Artist / Please Stay Tonight Shawn Phillips
Status Quo: Don’t Waste My Time (Marquee film)
1973-02-06
1973-02-13
Rory Gallagher: Hands Off / Walk on Hot Coals
Duncan Browne: Ragged Rain Life / My Old Friends Bette Midler interview
Loggins & Messina: Your Mama Don't Dance (promo)
1973-02-20
1973-02-27
Tony S McPhee: Write Me a Few Short Lines / Me and the Devil
Tassavallan: Presidenti Lounge
Donovan: Cosmic Wheels (film) / interview
Mickie Most interview
Country Joe MacDonald
1973-03-06
Argent: God Gave Rock ’n’ Roll to You / It’s Only Money
Shawn Phillips: I Took A Walk / Lady Of The Blue Rose
Sha Na Na: Rock N Roll is Here To Stay (Crystal Palace, London clip)
Roy Buchanan: Them Changes / After Hours (Madison Square Garden, New York, 1972 clip)
1973-03-13
Roger Daltrey: Giving It All Away / One Man Band
John Martyn: May You Never / I’d Rather Be The Devil
John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Move On Fast (from ‘One to One’ concert)
Edgar Winter Band: Heavy (concert clip)
1973-03-20
Humble Pie: Black Coffee / Twist and Shout
Ry Cooder: Goin’ To Brownsville / Vigilante Man / interview
Led Zeppelin: No Quarter (filmfinders)
Deliverance : Dueling Banjos (film clip)
1973-03-27
1973-04-03
1973-04-10
1973-04-17
1973-04-24
Birtha: I Can't Stop The Madness
John David Southern: How Long / Doolin’ Dalton
vintage Motown clips of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1973-05-01
1973-05-01
Yes, live in Concert at the Rainbow Theatre, Dec 1972.
And You and I / Clap / Roundabout / Yours is no Disgrace / Wurm
1973-05-08
1973-05-08
Homesick James: Louisiana Blues
Snooky Pryor: Do the Boogie Woogie
Boogie Woogie Red: Hello Little Girl
Washboard Willie - Love You Baby 24 Hours a Day
Whispering Smith - Never Leave me Baby
Lightnin’ Slim - Too Much Monkey Business
1973-05-15
1973-05-15
1973-05-22
Nazareth: Bad Boy / Vigilante Man
Harvey Andrews: Friend Of Mine / For My Father
Camel: Never Let Go (promo)
The Eagles: Outlaw Man (filmfinders)
Del Shannon interview
1973-05-29
1973-06-05
1973-06-05
1973-06-12
John Entwistle - Peg Leg Peggy / My Wife
Kevin Ayers: Shouting in a Bucket Blues / Oh Wot A Dream
Slick & Kanter interview
Seals & Crofts: Dust On My Saddle (film)
1973-06-19
Terry Reid: Without Expression / Live Life
Del Shannon - Louise
Kelly Strider: Higher & Higher (promo)
Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (promo)
Pete Sinfield: Still (promo)
1973-07-10
1973-07-17
Edgar Winter Group: Frankenstein / Rock N Roll Boogie Woogie Blues / Hanging Around
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee: Walking My Blues Away / Sonny's Thing / Walk On
Alan Hull: Numbers (film)
1973-07-31
Freddie King: Boogie Funk Woman / Across The River
Dr. John: Such A Night
Doobie Brothers: Long Train Running (promo)
Blue: Red Light Song (promo)
Season 3 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1973-09-25
1973-09-25
1973-10-02
Country Gazette: Keep On Pushing / Tried So Hard / Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Down The Road
Leo Kottke: The Driving Of The Year/ Nail Stealing Mick Jagger interview
The Rolling Stones: Silver Train / Dancing With Mr. D (promos)
1973-10-09
1973-10-16
1973-10-23
1973-10-30
1973-11-06
Brinsley Schwarz: Hooked on Love / Surrender to the Rhythm
Gallagher & Lyle: Shine a Light / I Believe in You Golden Earring: Radar Love (film)
1973-11-13
1973-12-11
1973-12-26
1974-01-13
1974-01-27
1974-03-10
1974-03-19
1974-04-10
1974-04-17
1974-04-24
1974-05-01
1974-05-08
1974-05-28
1974-06-04
1974-07-09
Season 4 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1974-09-24
From Cambridge Folk Festival
Arlo Guthrie: Gamblin’ Man / The Motor Cycle Song / Don't Think Twice It’s Alright
Loudon Wainwright III: Guru / I Am The Way
Richard Digance: Working Class Millionaire
Planxty: The Blacksmith
1974-10-01
Wally: Sunday Walking Lady / The Martyr
The Rolling Stones: Ain't Too Proud To Beg (film)
Keith Richards: interview
1974-10-08
1974-10-15
1974-10-22
1974-10-29
1974-11-05
1974-11-12
1974-11-19
1974-11-26
1974-12-03
1974-12-24
Bob Harris introduces a concert by superstar Elton John, recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon.
White Christmas / Grimsby (Unbroadcast) / Rocket Man / Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Daniel / Grey Seal / Bennie & the Jets / Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds / I Saw Her Standing There / Don’t Let the Sun go Down on Me / Honky Cat / Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting / Crocodile Rock / The Bitch is Back / Your Song
1975-01-10
1975-01-17
1975-01-24
1975-01-31
1975-02-07
1975-02-13
1975-02-21
1975-02-28
1975-03-07
1975-03-14
1975-03-21
1975-03-28
1975-04-04
1975-04-11
1975-04-18
1975-04-25
1975-05-02
1975-05-09
1975-05-16
1975-05-23
1975-05-30
1975-06-03
Can you Follow / Morning Story / Keep it Down / Pieces of Mind / One / Spirit (instrumental) / Without a Word / Smiles and Grins
1975-06-14
1975-06-21
1975-06-28
1975-07-05
1975-07-12
1975-07-19
1975-07-22
Yes at QPR
Long Distance Runaround / The Clap / And you and I / Ritual / Runaround / Sweet Dreams
Season 5 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1975-09-30
1975-10-07
1975-10-14
1975-10-21
1975-10-28
1975-11-04
1975-11-11
1975-11-18
1975-11-25
1975-12-02
1975-12-09
1975-12-16
1975-12-24
1975-12-31
1976-01-06
1976-01-13
1976-01-20
1976-01-27
1976-02-03
1976-02-10
1976-02-17
1976-02-24
1976-03-02
1976-03-09
1976-03-16
1976-03-23
Bob Harris introduces Bonnie Raitt in a special concert performance for the Old Grey Whistle Test from 1976.
1976-03-30
1976-04-06
1976-04-13
1976-04-20
1976-05-04
1976-05-11
1976-05-18
1976-05-25
Season 6 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1976-09-28
1976-10-05
1976-10-12
1976-10-19
1976-10-26
1976-11-02
1976-11-09
Bob Harris introduces Ralph McTell in concert at the BBC Television Theatre in London's Shepherds Bush in 1976.
1976-11-16
1976-11-23
1976-11-30
1976-12-07
1976-12-14
1976-12-24
The Old Grey Whistle Test presents Rod's Christmas Concert recorded on 1976-12-15 featuring The Rod Stewart Group performing on stage at Olympia, London.
Tonight’s the Night / The Wild Side of Life / This Old Heart of Mine / Sweet Little Rock ’n’ Roller / I Don’t Want to Talk About It / The Killing of Georgie / Maggie May / Get Back / Losing You / Sailing
1976-12-31
1977-01-04
1977-01-11
1977-01-18
1977-02-01
1977-02-08
1977-02-15
1977-02-22
1977-03-01
1977-03-08
1977-03-15
1977-03-29
1977-04-05
1977-04-12
1977-04-19
1977-04-26
1977-05-03
1977-05-10
1977-05-17
1977-05-24
1977-05-31
1977-06-07
Season 7 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1977-09-20
Rolling Stones in concert at Les Abbatoirs recorded for French TV
Honky Tonk Women / Hand of Fate / Fool to Cry / Hot Stuff / You Gotta Move / You Can’t Always Get What You Want / Baby (feat. Billy Preston) / Outta Space (feat. Billy Preston) / Jumping Jack Flash / Street Fighting Man / I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
1977-09-27
1977-10-04
1977-10-11
1977-10-18
1977-10-25
1977-11-01
1977-11-08
1977-11-15
1977-11-22
Live from the TV Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush.
This Time It’s for Real / Love on the Wrong Side of Town / She got Me Where She Wants Me / Little by Little / It Ain’t the Meat (It’s the Motion) / The Fever / We’re Having a Party (credits) / Stagger Lee
1977-11-29
Tyla Gang: Don't Shift A Gear / The Young Lords
Don McLean: Prime Time / Colour TV Blues
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: I Need To Know / American Girl / interview (Whiskey A GoGo, Los Angeles clip)
Warsaw Pakt: Fast Eddie (film)
Steve Hillage: Motivation Radio (live in Germany)
1977-12-06
1977-12-13
1977-12-20
1977-12-24
Bob Harris introduces the Kinks in concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London.
Sleepwalker / Life on the Road / Well Respected Man / Death of a Clown / Sunny Afternoon / Waterloo Sunset / All Day and All of the Night / Slum Kids / Celluloid Heroes / Get back in the Line / Schoolboys in Disgrace / Lola / Alcohol / Skin & Bone / Father Christmas / You Really Got Me
1978-01-03
1978-01-10
May you Never / Small Hours / Certain Surprise / Couldn’t Love You More / Big Muff / Bless the Weather (credits) Inside out / Spencer and the Rover
1978-01-17
1978-01-24
1978-01-31
1978-02-14
1978-02-21
Dickey Betts in concert at the TV Theatre Shepherds Bush.
Leaving me Again / Back on the Road / Good Time Feeling / Jessica / Ramblin’ Man / Southbound (credits)
1978-02-28
1978-03-07
1978-03-14
Billy Joel and his band performing live on the British rock programme “The Old Grey Whistle Test” in 1978.
Miami 2017 / Movin’ Out / New York State of Mind / Entertainer / She’s Always a Woman to Me / Root Beer Rag / Just the Way You Are / Only the Good Die Young (Credits)
1978-03-21
Graham Parker & The Rumour live at the BBC.
Stick to me (Take 1) / Stick to me (Take 2) / Problem Child / Back Door Love / Thunder and Rain / Turned up Too Late / Fools Gold / Saturday Night is Dead / I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down / Don’t Ask Me Questions / Soul Shoes
1978-03-28
1978-04-04
1978-04-11
1978-05-02
1978-05-09
1978-05-30
1978-06-06
Randy Newman in concert from TV Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush.
Birmingham / Leave Your Hat On / Texas Girl at the Funeral of her Father / Short People / Simon Smith & the Amazing Dancing Bear / In Germany Before the War / Political Science / Rider in the Rain / I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today / Rednecks / Guilty / Sail Away / It’s Lonely at the Top
1978-06-13
1978-06-20
Bob Harris introduces Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert at the BBC Television Centre in London's Shepherd's Bush in 1978.
Anything That’s Rock & Roll / Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It) / I Need to Know / Breakdown / Listen to Her Heart / You’re Gonna Get It / American Girl / Strangered in the Night / Shout
Season 8 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1978-09-19
1978-09-26
1978-10-03
1978-10-09
1978-10-17
1978-10-24
01 - Introduction by Anne Nightingale
02 - Metal Postcard - Siouxsie and the Banshees
03 - Jigsaw Feeling - Siouxsie and the Banshees
04 - The Cars - Interview with Bob Harris pt1
05 - My Best Friends Girl - The Cars
06 - The Cars - Interview with Bob Harris pt2
07 - Just What I Needed - The Cars
08 - Reelin In The Years - Steely Dan
09 - I Don't Want To Be Nice - John Cooper Clarke
10 - Kung-Fu International - John Cooper Clarke
11 - Readers Wives - John Cooper Clarke
12 - Walk And Don't Look Back - Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger
1978-10-31
1978-11-07
1978-11-14
1978-11-28
1978-12-05
1978-12-12
1978-12-19
1978-12-30
1978-12-31
1979-01-02
1979-01-09
1979-01-16
1979-01-23
Karen Evil 9 - 1st impression / Watching Over You / Tank / Tiger in a Spotlight / Show me the Way to go Home / Piano Concerto (instrumental) / Pirates
All recorded in Memphis, except Piano Concerto and Pirates, filmed in Montreal.
1979-01-30
1979-02-13
1979-02-20
1979-02-27
1979-03-06
1979-03-13
1979-03-20
1979-03-27
1979-04-03
1979-04-10
1979-04-17
Johnny Winter in concert at TV Shepherds Bush Theatre, London.
Hideaway / Messin’ with the Kid / Mississippi Blues / Walking by Myself / Rock n’ Roll
1979-05-08
1979-05-15
1979-05-22
1979-05-29
1979-06-05
1979-06-12
Thin Lizzy live at the Rainbow Theatre March 1978.
The Boys are Back in Town / Emerald / Dancing in the Moonlight / Massacre / Still in Love with You / Don’t Believe a Word / Are You Ready / Sha la la / Baby Drives me Crazy / Me and the Boys
Season 9 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1979-09-18
1979-09-25
1979-10-02
1979-10-09
1979-10-16
1979-10-30
1979-11-06
1979-11-13
1979-11-20
1979-11-27
1979-12-04
1979-12-20
1979-12-31
1980-01-08
1980-01-11
1980-01-15
1980-01-22
1980-01-29
1980-02-12
1980-02-19
1980-02-26
1980-03-04
1980-03-11
1980-03-18
1980-03-25
1980-04-01
1980-04-08
1980-04-15
1980-05-06
1980-05-13
1980-05-27
1980-06-06
1980-06-17
Genesis in concert highlights at London’s Lyceum Ballroom 07/05/80.
Behind the Lines / Duchess / Guideline / Medley: In the Cage/Slipperman solo / Afterglow / Dance on a Volcano / Los Endos
Season 10 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1980-10-07
1980-10-10
Documentary-style film of the Police's tour of Japan, Hong Kong, India, Egypt and Greece in 1980. Anne Nightingale accompanies the band and interviews its members during the tour. Includes concert footage and behind-the-scenes sequences of the band.
All I Want is to be Next to You / Bring on the Night / Message in a Bottle / Walking on the Moon / So Lonely / Visions of the Night / Can’t Stand Losing You / Roxanne / Truth Hits Everybody / Driven to Tears / Born in the fifties
1980-10-11
1980-10-18
1980-11-01
1980-11-08
1980-11-15
1980-11-22
1980-11-29
1980-12-06
1980-12-09
1980-12-13
1980-12-20
1981-05-02
Ian Dury & The Blockheads Live from the Dominion Theatre.
Partial to your Abracadabra / Superman’s Big Sister / Yes & No (Paula) / Uncoolohol / Billericay Dickie / Delusions of Grandeur / Dance of the Crackpots / I Made Mary Cry / Wot a Waste / Hey, hey Take me Away / Manic depression (Jimi) / Oh Mr Peanut / Hit me with Your Rhythm Stick / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads / Sex & Drugs & Rock n’ Roll
1980-12-31
1981-01-10
1981-01-17
1981-01-24
1981-01-31
1981-02-07
1981-02-14
1981-02-21
1981-02-28
1981-03-07
1981-03-14
1981-03-21
1981-03-28
1981-03-28
1981-04-04
1981-04-11
1981-04-18
1981-04-25
1981-05-05
1981-05-12
1981-05-19
1981-05-26
1981-06-02
1981-06-09
1981-06-16
1981-07-07
1981-07-14
Season 11 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1981-10-01
1981-10-08
1981-10-15
1981-11-05
1981-11-26
1981-12-03
1981-12-17
1981-12-31
1982-01-21
1982-01-28
1982-02-04
1982-02-11
1982-02-18
1982-02-25
1982-03-04
1982-03-11
1982-03-18
1982-04-01
1982-04-03
1982-04-04
1982-04-15
1982-04-22
1982-04-29
1982-05-06
1982-05-20
1982-05-27
1982-06-03
1982-06-10
Season 12 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1982-09-17
1982-09-24
1982-10-01
1982-10-08
1982-10-15
1982-10-22
1982-10-30
1982-11-05
1982-11-12
1982-11-19
1982-12-24
1982-12-31
1983-04-08
1983-04-15
1983-04-22
1983-04-29
1983-05-06
1983-05-13
1983-05-20
1983-05-27
1983-06-03
1983-06-19
Season 13 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1983-09-18
1983-11-18
1983-11-25
1983-12-02
1983-12-09
1983-12-16
1983-12-23
1983-12-24
1984-01-13
1984-01-20
1984-01-27
1984-02-03
1984-02-10
1984-02-17
1984-02-24
1984-03-02
1984-03-09
1984-03-16
1984-03-23
1984-03-30
Season 14 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1984-10-23
1984-10-30
1984-11-06
1984-11-13
1984-11-20
1984-11-27
1984-12-04
1984-12-11
1984-12-18
1984-12-18
1984-12-31
1984-12-31
1985-01-01
1985-01-08
1985-01-15
1985-01-22
1985-01-29
1985-02-05
1985-02-12
1985-02-19
1985-02-26
1985-03-05
1985-03-12
1985-03-19
1985-03-26
1985-03-31
1985-04-02
1985-04-09
1985-04-16
1985-04-23
1985-04-30
1985-05-07
1985-05-14
1985-05-21
1985-05-28
1985-06-04
1985-06-11
1985-06-18
Season 15 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1985-10-01
1985-10-08
1985-10-15
1985-10-22
1985-10-29
1985-11-05
1985-11-12
1985-11-19
1985-11-26
1985-12-03
1985-12-10
1985-12-17
1985-12-31
1986-02-05
1986-04-01
1986-04-08
1986-04-29
1986-05-06
1986-05-13
1986-05-20
1986-05-23
1986-05-27
1986-06-03
1986-06-10
1986-06-17
1986-06-24
1986-07-01
1986-07-08
1986-07-15
1986-07-22
1986-08-23
Season 16 - The Old Grey Whistle Test
1986-12-23
1986-12-31
1987-01-07
1987-01-13
1987-01-14
1987-01-21
1987-01-28
1987-02-04
1987-02-11
1987-02-18
1987-02-25
1987-03-04
1987-03-11
1987-03-18
1987-03-25
1987-04-01
1987-04-20
1987-04-21
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
