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.
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Season 2
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1
E1
Series 2, Episode 1
Loggins and Messina: "Danny's Song" and "House At Pooh Corner"
Sep 12, 1972 -
2
E2
Series 2, Episode 2
Sep 19, 1972 -
3
E3
Series 2, Episode 3
Sep 26, 1972 -
4
E4
Series 2, Episode 4
Oct 3, 1972 -
5
E5
Series 2, Episode 5
Oct 10, 1972 -
6
E6
Series 2, Episode 6
Oct 17, 1972 -
7
E7
Birtha / Mike Hugg / Rick Wakeman
Birtha: Free Spirit / Too Much Woman For The Henpecked Man Mike Hugg: Blue Suede Shoes Again Rick Wakeman Interview
Oct 24, 1972 -
8
E8
Series 2, Episode 8
Oct 31, 1972 -
9
E9
Episode 9
Nov 7, 1972 -
10
E10
Series 2, Episode 10
Nov 15, 1972 -
11
E11
Series 2, Episode 11
Nov 21, 1972 -
12
E12
Series 2, Episode 12
Nov 28, 1972 -
13
E13
Series 2, Episode 13
Dec 5, 1972 -
14
E14
Focus
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.
Dec 12, 1972 -
15
E15
Series 2, Episode 15
Dec 19, 1972 -
16
E16
Boxing Day Compilation
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
Dec 26, 1972 -
17
E17
Genesis
Hammersmith, England, Old Grey Whistle Test, "Willow Farm"
Jan 2, 1973 -
18
E18
J Geils Band / Joan Armatrading / David Geffen / Captain Beefheart / Barclay James Harvest / Exuma
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)
Jan 9, 1973 -
19
E19
Series 2, Episode 19
Mar 16, 1973 -
20
E20
Roberta Flack / Mike Absalom / The Rolling Stones / Frank Zappa
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)
Jan 23, 1973 -
21
E21
The Who / Claire Hammill / Shawn Phillips / Status Quo
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)
Jan 30, 1973 -
22
E22
Sharks
Feb 6, 1973 -
23
E23
Rory Gallagher / Duncan Browne / Bette Midler / Loggins & Messina
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)
Feb 13, 1973 -
24
E24
Strawbs / Judee Sill
Feb 20, 1973 -
25
E25
Tony McPhee / Tassavallan / Donovan / Mickie Most / Country Joe MacDonald
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
Feb 27, 1973 -
26
E26
Argent / Shawn Phillips / Sha Na Na / Roy Buchanan
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)
Mar 6, 1973 -
27
E27
Roger Daltrey / John Martyn / John Lennon & Yoko Ono / Edgar Winter Band
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)
Mar 13, 1973 -
28
E28
Humble Pie / Ry Cooder / Led Zeppelin / Deliverance
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)
Mar 20, 1973 · 35m -
29
E29
Episode 29
Mar 27, 1973 -
30
E30
Roxy Music
Apr 3, 1973 -
31
E31
Episode 31
Apr 10, 1973 -
32
E32
Episode 32
Apr 17, 1973 -
33
E33
Birtha / John David Southern
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
Apr 24, 1973 -
34
E34
The Wailers
May 1, 1973 -
35
E35
Yes: Live in Concert
Yes, live in Concert at the Rainbow Theatre, Dec 1972. And You and I / Clap / Roundabout / Yours is no Disgrace / Wurm
May 1, 1973 -
36
E36
Alaquin
May 8, 1973 -
37
E37
American Blues Legends Live in Concert
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
May 8, 1973 -
38
E38
Roy Bucchanan
May 15, 1973 -
39
E39
Leon Russell / BB King
May 15, 1973 -
40
E40
Nazareth / Harvey Andrews / Camel / The Eagles / Del Shannon
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
May 22, 1973 -
41
E41
Cream
May 29, 1973 -
42
E42
Episode 42
Jun 5, 1973 -
43
E43
Focus: Live in Concert
Jun 5, 1973 -
44
E44
John Entwistle - Kevin Ayers - Slick & Kanter - Seals & Crofts
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)
Jun 12, 1973 -
45
E45
Terry Reid - Del Shannon - Strider - Mike Oldfield - Pete Sinfield
Terry Reid: Without Expression / Live Life Del Shannon - Louise Kelly Strider: Higher & Higher (promo) Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (promo) Pete Sinfield: Still (promo)
Jun 19, 1973 -
46
E46
Episode 46
Jul 10, 1973 -
47
E47
Edgar Winter Group / Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee / Alan Hull
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)
Jul 17, 1973 -
48
E48
Johnny Rivers / Drifters / Pete Sinfield
Jul 24, 1973 -
49
E49
Freddie King / Dr John / Doobie Brothers / Blue
Freddie King: Boogie Funk Woman / Across The River Dr. John: Such A Night Doobie Brothers: Long Train Running (promo) Blue: Red Light Song (promo)
Jul 31, 1973