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 8
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1
E1
Ramones
Sep 19, 1978 -
2
E2
Rezillos / Steven Bishop
Sep 26, 1978 -
3
E3
The Police
Oct 3, 1978 -
4
E4
Jethro Tull in concert
Oct 9, 1978 -
5
E5
Episode 5
Oct 17, 1978 -
6
E6
Siouxsie and the Banshees / The Cars / John Cooper Clarke / Steely Dan / Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger
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
Oct 24, 1978 -
7
E7
Episode 7
Oct 31, 1978 -
8
E8
Episode 8
Nov 7, 1978 -
9
E9
Buzzcocks
Nov 14, 1978 -
10
E10
Devo
Nov 28, 1978 -
11
E11
X-Ray Spex
Dec 5, 1978 -
12
E12
Muddy Waters / Devo
Dec 12, 1978 -
13
E13
Episode 13
Dec 19, 1978 -
14
E14
Rod Stewart in concert
Repeat from 24th December 1976
Dec 24, 1978 -
15
E15
Pick of the Year, Part 1
Dec 30, 1978 -
16
E16
Pick of the Year, Part 2
Dec 31, 1978 -
17
E17
Episode 17
Jan 2, 1979 -
18
E18
Episode 18
Jan 9, 1979 -
19
E19
Episode 19
Jan 16, 1979 -
20
E20
Emerson, Lake & Palmer special
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.
Jan 23, 1979 -
21
E21
Episode 21
Jan 30, 1979 -
22
E22
Episode 22
Feb 13, 1979 -
23
E23
Episode 23
Feb 20, 1979 -
24
E24
Episode 24
Feb 27, 1979 -
25
E25
Episode 25
Mar 6, 1979 -
26
E26
Episode 26
Mar 13, 1979 -
27
E27
Episode 27
Mar 20, 1979 -
28
E28
Episode 28
Mar 27, 1979 -
29
E29
Episode 29
Apr 3, 1979 -
30
E30
Iggy Pop / Tom Waits
Apr 10, 1979 -
31
E31
Johnny Winter in concert
Johnny Winter in concert at TV Shepherds Bush Theatre, London. Hideaway / Messin’ with the Kid / Mississippi Blues / Walking by Myself / Rock n’ Roll
Apr 17, 1979 -
32
E32
Episode 32
May 8, 1979 -
33
E33
Episode 33
May 15, 1979 -
34
E34
Episode 34
May 22, 1979 -
35
E35
Episode 35
May 29, 1979 -
36
E36
Episode 36
Jun 5, 1979 -
37
E37
Thin Lizzy in concerts
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
Jun 12, 1979