The Old Grey Whistle Test

Sep 21, 1971 (en) [60] Min
  • First Air Date
    Sep 21, 1971
  • Production
    BBC
  • Rotten tomato
    75%
  • Original title
    The Old Grey Whistle Test
  • Release
    Sep 21, 1971
  • en
    -

Overview

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.

  1. Music Supervisor

  2. Producer

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Casts

Full Casts & Crew

Casts : 2 / Crews : 0

Specials ( )

Old Grey Whistle test Vol 1

Episode: 1

John Martyn Live at the BBC

Episode: 2

Guitar heroes at the BBC

Episode: 3

Old Grey Whistle Test Unreleased Volume 1

Episode: 4

Old Grey Whistle Test Unreleased Volume 2

Episode: 5

Old Grey Whistle Test Unreleased Volume 3

Episode: 6

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 4

Episode: 7

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 5

Episode: 8

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 6

Episode: 9

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 7

Episode: 10

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 8

Episode: 11

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume Unreleased 9

Episode: 12

70s Gold

Episode: 13

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume 2

Episode: 14

Old Grey Whistle Test Volume 3

Episode: 15

Lynyrd Skynyrd in Concert

Episode: 16

California Comes to the Whistle Test

Episode: 17

For One Night Only

Episode: 18

1971/2 ( 1971-09-21)

The first series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 21st September 1971 and concluded on 11th July 1972 for a total of 43 episodes.

Season 1, Episode 1

Episode: 1

Season 1, Episode 2

Episode: 2

Season 1, Episode 3

Episode: 3

Season 1, Episode 4

Episode: 4

Season 1, Episode 5

Episode: 5

Season 1, Episode 6

Episode: 6

Season 1, Episode 7

Episode: 7

Season 1, Episode 8

Episode: 8

Season 1, Episode 9

Episode: 9

0Season 1, Episode 10

Episode: 10

Series 1, Episode 11

Episode: 11

Series 1, Episode 12

Episode: 12

Series 1, Episode 13

Episode: 13

Series 1, Episode 14

Episode: 14

Series 1, Episode 15

Episode: 15

Series 1, Episode 16

Episode: 16

Series 1, Episode 17

Episode: 17

Series 1, Episode 18

Episode: 18

Poco

Episode: 19

Bowie

Episode: 20

Series 1, Episode 21

Episode: 21

Series 1, Episode 22

Episode: 22

Series 1, Episode 23

Episode: 23

Series 1, Episode 24

Episode: 24

Series 1, Episode 25

Episode: 25

Series 1, Episode 26

Episode: 26

Series 1, Episode 27

Episode: 27

Kevin Ayers

Episode: 28

Series 1, Episode 29

Episode: 29

Series 1, Episode 30

Episode: 30

Jerry Lee Lewis

Episode: 31

Series 1, Episode 32

Episode: 32

Series 1, Episode 33

Episode: 33

The Beach Boys

Episode: 34

Series 1, Episode 35

Episode: 35

Series 1, Episode 36

Episode: 36

Series 1, Episode 37

Episode: 37

Series 1, Episode 38

Episode: 38

Series 1, Episode 39

Episode: 39

Series 1, Episode 40

Episode: 40

Series 1, Episode 41

Episode: 41

Rolling Stones

Episode: 42

1972/3 ( 1972-09-12)

The second series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 12th September 1972, concluding on 31st July 1973 with a total of 49 Episodes

Series 2, Episode 1

Episode: 1

Series 2, Episode 2

Episode: 2

Series 2, Episode 3

Episode: 3

Series 2, Episode 4

Episode: 4

Series 2, Episode 5

Episode: 5

Series 2, Episode 6

Episode: 6

Birtha / Mike Hugg / Rick Wakeman

Episode: 7

Series 2, Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Series 2, Episode 10

Episode: 10

Series 2, Episode 11

Episode: 11

Series 2, Episode 12

Episode: 12

Series 2, Episode 13

Episode: 13

Focus

Episode: 14

Series 2, Episode 15

Episode: 15

Boxing Day Compilation

Episode: 16

Genesis

Episode: 17

J Geils Band / Joan Armatrading / David Geffen / Captain Beefheart / Barclay James Harvest / Exuma

Episode: 18

Series 2, Episode 19

Episode: 19

Roberta Flack / Mike Absalom / The Rolling Stones / Frank Zappa

Episode: 20

The Who / Claire Hammill / Shawn Phillips / Status Quo

Episode: 21

Sharks

Episode: 22

Rory Gallagher / Duncan Browne / Bette Midler / Loggins & Messina

Episode: 23

Strawbs / Judee Sill

Episode: 24

Tony McPhee / Tassavallan / Donovan / Mickie Most / Country Joe MacDonald

Episode: 25

Argent / Shawn Phillips / Sha Na Na / Roy Buchanan

Episode: 26

Roger Daltrey / John Martyn / John Lennon & Yoko Ono / Edgar Winter Band

Episode: 27

Humble Pie / Ry Cooder / Led Zeppelin / Deliverance

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Roxy Music

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Birtha / John David Southern

Episode: 33

The Wailers

Episode: 34

Yes: Live in Concert

Episode: 35

Alaquin

Episode: 36

American Blues Legends Live in Concert

Episode: 37

Roy Bucchanan

Episode: 38

Leon Russell / BB King

Episode: 39

Nazareth / Harvey Andrews / Camel / The Eagles / Del Shannon

Episode: 40

Cream

Episode: 41

Episode 42

Episode: 42

Focus: Live in Concert

Episode: 43

John Entwistle - Kevin Ayers - Slick & Kanter - Seals & Crofts

Episode: 44

Terry Reid - Del Shannon - Strider - Mike Oldfield - Pete Sinfield

Episode: 45

Episode 46

Episode: 46

Edgar Winter Group / Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee / Alan Hull

Episode: 47

Johnny Rivers / Drifters / Pete Sinfield

Episode: 48

Freddie King / Dr John / Doobie Brothers / Blue

Episode: 49

1973/4 ( 1973-09-25)

The third series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 25th September 1973, concluding on 9th July 1974 for a total of 43 episodes.

Blue / Jim Croce

Episode: 1

Reggae in Edinburgh special

Episode: 2

Rolling Stones / Country Gazette / Leo Kottke

Episode: 3

Leo Sayer / Don McLean

Episode: 4

Bloodstone / John Martyn

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Brinsley Schwarz / Gallagher & Lyle / Golden Earring

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Clifford T Ward / Greenslade / Stealers Wheel / Man / Bees Make Honey

Episode: 10

New York Dolls / Michael Chapman / B.B. King

Episode: 11

Hudson Ford / Gordon Giltrap / Mickey Dolenz

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Sensational Alex Harvey Band / Rita Coolige / Kris Kristofferson / Linda Lewis / Jackson Browne / Billy Preston

Episode: 14

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Dave Mason

Episode: 17

Sutherland Bros and Quiver / Ralph McTell / Ducks Deluxe

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Stevie Wonder / Doobie Brothers / Neil Sedaka

Episode: 20

Pete Berryman / Cockney Rebel / Marshall Tucker Band

Episode: 21

Horslips / Roy Harper / Joe Walsh / Maggie Bell

Episode: 22

Babe Ruth / Argent / Loggins and Messina / Cheech and Chong / Steve Howe / Rick Wakeman / Cousin Joe / Bonnie Raitt

Episode: 23

Canned Heat / Van Morrison / Bill Haley / Alquin

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Rab Noakes / Chic Corea / Stefan Grossman

Episode: 26

Saffrons / Stefan Grossman

Episode: 27

Lindisfarne / Isotope / Sharks / Alice Cooper

Episode: 28

Cashman & West / Argent / Cat Stevens

Episode: 29

Strawbs / Judi Pulver / Jobraith

Episode: 30

Jesse Colin Young / Robin Trower

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Beckett / Graham Nash / Bill Wyman

Episode: 34

Nazareth / James Griffin / Lesley Duncan / Tangerine Dream

Episode: 35

Montrose / Tim Buckley / James Gang / Black Oak Arkansas

Episode: 36

Van Morrison in concert

Episode: 37

Episode 38

Episode: 38

The Butts Band / Bridget St. John / Groundhogs / Pink Floyd

Episode: 39

Captain Beefheart / Dory Previn / Paul Simon

Episode: 40

Heavy Metal Kids / Pete Atkin / Ian Hunter / Loudon Wainwright III / JSD Band

Episode: 41

Elton John / Dobie Gray / Adam Faith / Stevie Wonder

Episode: 42

Rolling Stones, 1965 US tour film

Episode: 43

1974/5 ( 1974-09-24)

The forth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 24th September 1974, finishing on 26ht Jul 1975 for a total of 42 episodes.

Arlo Guthrie / Loudon Wainwright III / Richard Digance / Planxty

Episode: 1

Wally / The Rolling Stones

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Elton John Christmas Concert

Episode: 12

Ace / Leo Sayer / Doobie Brothers / Van Morrison

Episode: 13

Episode 14

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Dr. Feelgood

Episode: 23

Nutz

Episode: 24

Billy Cobham

Episode: 25

Episode 26

Episode: 26

Episode 27

Episode: 27

Episode 28

Episode: 28

Judas Priest

Episode: 29

Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show

Episode: 30

David Gates / Seals & Croft

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Episode 34

Episode: 34

‘Jack Bruce Band’ Special

Episode: 35

Episode 36

Episode: 36

Episode 37

Episode: 37

Episode 38

Episode: 38

Episode 39

Episode: 39

Moonrider / John Dawson Band

Episode: 40

Episode 41

Episode: 41

‘Yes’ in Concert

Episode: 42

1975/6 ( 1975-09-30)

John Lennon interview in New York

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

John Mayall

Episode: 4

Freddie King / Jack the Lad

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Dr. Hook special

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Ace / Strawbs

Episode: 12

Queen in concert

Episode: 13

Pick of the Year

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Supertramp in Concert

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Rory Gallagher

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Return to Forever

Episode: 25

Bonnie Raitt

Episode: 26

Jim Capaldi & The Space Cadets

Episode: 27

Episode 28

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Episode: 30

Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Daryl Hall & John Oates

Episode: 34

Nils Lofgren & Band

Episode: 35

1976/7 ( 1976-09-28)

Bob Dylan

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Janis Ian

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Peter Frampton

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Ralph McTell

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Linda Ronstadt

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Jackson Browne

Episode: 11

Heart / Racing Cars

Episode: 12

Macon Whoppee (Capricorn Summer Picnic)

Episode: 13

Rod Stewart in concert

Episode: 14

Pick of the Year

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

The Eleventh House

Episode: 18

Ry Cooder & The Chicken Skin Band

Episode: 19

Average White Band

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Manhattan Transfer

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Andrew Gold

Episode: 25

The Kinks

Episode: 26

Bandit

Episode: 27

Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

The Kinks

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Episode: 32

Dory Previn in concert

Episode: 33

George Benson / Udio Lindberg

Episode: 34

Episode 35

Episode: 35

Eric Clapton

Episode: 36

1977/8 ( 1977-09-20)

The seventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 20th September 1977, concluding on 20th Jun 1987 and containing 39 episodes.

‘Rolling Stones’ in Concert

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Joan Armatrading / Harry Chaplin

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Dr. Hook

Episode: 5

The Runaways

Episode: 6

James Taylor & Carly Simon

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Cher & Greg Allman

Episode: 9

‘Southside Johnny & The Ashury Dukes’ in Concert

Episode: 10

Tyla Gang / Don McLean / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / Warsaw Pakt / Steve Hillage

Episode: 11

Episode 12

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Episode 14

Episode: 14

The Kinks’ Christmas Concert

Episode: 15

Ramones

Episode: 16

Picks of Last Years Bunch

Episode: 17

‘John Martyn’ Special

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Talking Heads / Fabulous Poodles

Episode: 21

Adverts / Jim Capaldi / Styx / Dusty Springfield

Episode: 22

XTV / Radio Stars English

Episode: 23

‘Dickie Betts & Great Southern’ in Concert

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Episode 26

Episode: 26

Billy Joel

Episode: 27

‘Graham Parker & The Rumour’ in Concert

Episode: 28

Cheap Trick

Episode: 29

Episode 30

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Dire Straits

Episode: 34

The Jam

Episode: 35

Episode 36

Episode: 36

‘Randy Newman’ in Concert

Episode: 37

Episode 38

Episode: 38

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in concert

Episode: 39

1978/9 ( 1978-09-19)

Ramones

Episode: 1

Rezillos / Steven Bishop

Episode: 2

The Police

Episode: 3

Jethro Tull in concert

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Siouxsie and the Banshees / The Cars / John Cooper Clarke / Steely Dan / Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Buzzcocks

Episode: 9

Devo

Episode: 10

X-Ray Spex

Episode: 11

Muddy Waters / Devo

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Rod Stewart in concert

Episode: 14

Pick of the Year, Part 1

Episode: 15

Pick of the Year, Part 2

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Emerson, Lake & Palmer special

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Episode 26

Episode: 26

Episode 27

Episode: 27

Episode 28

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Iggy Pop / Tom Waits

Episode: 30

Johnny Winter in concert

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Episode 34

Episode: 34

Episode 35

Episode: 35

Episode 36

Episode: 36

Thin Lizzy in concerts

Episode: 37

1979/80 ( 1979-09-18)

Nils Lofgren in concert

Episode: 1

Rickie Lee Jones concert highlights

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Madness

Episode: 12

Mike Oldfield

Episode: 13

Blondie in concert

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Pick of the Year

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

The Knack in concert

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Fabulous Thunderbirds

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Episode 26

Episode: 26

Rory Gallagher concert highlights

Episode: 27

Girl

Episode: 28

ZZ Top

Episode: 29

Episode 30

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Genesis in concert

Episode: 34

1980/81 ( 1980-10-07)

The tenth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 7th October 1980, concluding on the 14th July with a total of 41 episodes.

Kate Bush in concert

Episode: 1

The Police in the East

Episode: 2

The Story So Far - 350th Edition

Episode: 3

Police in concert

Episode: 4

Paul Simon

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Episode 12

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Ian Dury & The Blockheads in concert

Episode: 14

Review of the Year

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Rockpop, Part 1

Episode: 18

Rockpop, Part 2

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Joni Mitchell in concert

Episode: 26

Rockplast, Part 1

Episode: 27

Rockplast, Part 2

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Episode 30

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Episode 34

Episode: 34

Episode 35

Episode: 35

Clark/Duke Project

Episode: 36

Eurythmics

Episode: 37

Jack Bruce & His Friends

Episode: 38

Episode 39

Episode: 39

Duran Duran

Episode: 40

Episode 41

Episode: 41

1981/2 ( 1981-10-01)

The eleventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 1st October 1981, concluding after 29 episodes on 10th June 1982.

Episode 1

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Altered Images

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Toyah in concert

Episode: 7

Pick of the Year

Episode: 8

No One Gets Out Alive: Doors documentary

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Rockpop in concert, Part 1

Episode: 11

Soft Cell

Episode: 12

XTC

Episode: 13

Rockpop in concert, Part 2

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Teardrop Explodes

Episode: 19

Van Morrison & Rick James in concert

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Ry Cooder

Episode: 26

Episode 27

Episode: 27

Todd Rundgren

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

1982/3 ( 1982-09-17)

Simple Minds / Hot Club

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Elton John in concert

Episode: 11

Pick of the Year

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Episode 14

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Spandau Ballet

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Waterboys / Eurythmics

Episode: 20

Roman Holliday

Episode: 21

Joni Mitchell

Episode: 22

1983/4 ( 1983-09-18)

Fun Boy Three special

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Level 42

Episode: 3

Tom Robinson & The Crew

Episode: 4

The Smiths

Episode: 5

Aztec Camera

Episode: 6

Pick of the Year

Episode: 7

Paul Young and the Royal Family

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Red Guitars / Gary Moore

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Episode 12

Episode: 12

Episode 13

Episode: 13

Icicle Works in concert

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

1984/5 ( 1984-10-23)

Violent Femmes

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Lou Reed

Episode: 9

Bruce Springsteen in concert

Episode: 10

Big Country in concert

Episode: 11

Nik Kershaw in concert

Episode: 12

Old Grey Pick of the Year

Episode: 13

Episode 14

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Episode 16

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Episode 21

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Prince in concert

Episode: 26

Episode 27

Episode: 27

Mick Jagger extended special

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Episode 30

Episode: 30

Episode 31

Episode: 31

Episode 32

Episode: 32

Episode 33

Episode: 33

Episode 34

Episode: 34

Episode 35

Episode: 35

Episode 36

Episode: 36

Episode 37

Episode: 37

Episode 38

Episode: 38

1985/6 ( 1985-10-01)

Long Ryders

Episode: 1

Episode 2

Episode: 2

Episode 3

Episode: 3

Episode 4

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Episode 6

Episode: 6

Episode 7

Episode: 7

Episode 8

Episode: 8

Episode 9

Episode: 9

Episode 10

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Episode 12

Episode: 12

85 Whistle Test 86

Episode: 13

Meatloaf in concert

Episode: 14

Joni Mitchell in concert

Episode: 15

Bryan Ferry special

Episode: 16

Episode 17

Episode: 17

Episode 18

Episode: 18

Episode 19

Episode: 19

Episode 20

Episode: 20

Stevie Wonder special

Episode: 21

Episode 22

Episode: 22

Episode 23

Episode: 23

Episode 24

Episode: 24

Episode 25

Episode: 25

Episode 26

Episode: 26

Episode 27

Episode: 27

Episode 28

Episode: 28

Episode 29

Episode: 29

Big Country in concert

Episode: 30

Rolling Stones

Episode: 31

1986/7 ( 1986-09-20)

The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker

Episode: 1

Paul Simon special

Episode: 2

End of the Year

Episode: 3

Run DMC

Episode: 4

Episode 5

Episode: 5

Michelle Shocked

Episode: 6

The Comfy Area

Episode: 7

The Cult

Episode: 8

Run DMC

Episode: 9

World Party

Episode: 10

Episode 11

Episode: 11

Episode 12

Episode: 12

Deep Purple / The Mission

Episode: 13

U2 / Sinéad O’Connor

Episode: 14

Episode 15

Episode: 15

Wet Wet Wet

Episode: 16

Paul Simon

Episode: 17

Level 42 in concert

Episode: 18

Big in Japan special

Episode: 19

That Was The Whistle Test That Was

Episode: 20
Sep 21, 1971 (en)
[60] Min
  • First Air Date Sep 21, 1971
  • Production
    BBC
  • Rotten tomato 75%
Original Title The Old Grey Whistle Test
en

Overview

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.

  1. Music Supervisor

  2. Producer