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 7
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1
E1
‘Rolling Stones’ in Concert
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
Sep 20, 1977 -
2
E2
Episode 2
Sep 27, 1977 -
3
E3
Joan Armatrading / Harry Chaplin
Oct 4, 1977 -
4
E4
Episode 4
Oct 11, 1977 -
5
E5
Dr. Hook
Oct 18, 1977 -
6
E6
The Runaways
Oct 25, 1977 -
7
E7
James Taylor & Carly Simon
Nov 1, 1977 -
8
E8
Episode 8
Nov 8, 1977 -
9
E9
Cher & Greg Allman
Nov 15, 1977 -
10
E10
‘Southside Johnny & The Ashury Dukes’ in Concert
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
Nov 22, 1977 -
11
E11
Tyla Gang / Don McLean / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / Warsaw Pakt / Steve Hillage
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)
Nov 29, 1977 -
12
E12
Episode 12
Dec 6, 1977 -
13
E13
Episode 13
Dec 13, 1977 -
14
E14
Episode 14
Dec 20, 1977 -
15
E15
The Kinks’ Christmas Concert
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
Dec 24, 1977 -
16
E16
Ramones
Jan 3, 1978 -
17
E17
Picks of Last Years Bunch
(Originally intended for 31st December)
Jan 5, 1978 -
18
E18
‘John Martyn’ Special
May you Never / Small Hours / Certain Surprise / Couldn’t Love You More / Big Muff / Bless the Weather (credits) Inside out / Spencer and the Rover
Jan 10, 1978 · 28m -
19
E19
Episode 19
Jan 17, 1978 -
20
E20
Episode 20
Jan 24, 1978 -
21
E21
Talking Heads / Fabulous Poodles
Jan 31, 1978 -
22
E22
Adverts / Jim Capaldi / Styx / Dusty Springfield
Feb 7, 1978 -
23
E23
XTV / Radio Stars English
Feb 14, 1978 -
24
E24
‘Dickie Betts & Great Southern’ in Concert
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)
Feb 21, 1978 -
25
E25
Episode 25
Feb 28, 1978 -
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E26
Episode 26
Mar 7, 1978 -
27
E27
Billy Joel
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)
Mar 14, 1978 · 39m -
28
E28
‘Graham Parker & The Rumour’ in Concert
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
Mar 21, 1978 -
29
E29
Cheap Trick
Mar 28, 1978 -
30
E30
Episode 30
Apr 4, 1978 -
31
E31
Episode 31
Apr 11, 1978 -
32
E32
Episode 32
May 2, 1978 -
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E33
Episode 33
May 9, 1978 -
34
E34
Dire Straits
"Sultans Of Swing"
May 16, 1978 -
35
E35
The Jam
The Jam • Billy Hunt " In The Street Today " " 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street "
May 23, 1978 -
36
E36
Episode 36
May 30, 1978 -
37
E37
‘Randy Newman’ in Concert
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
Jun 6, 1978 -
38
E38
Episode 38
Jun 13, 1978 -
39
E39
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in concert
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
Jun 20, 1978