September 21, 1971
16
558
EN
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.
Bob Harris
Cast
Annie Nightingale
Cast
N/A
N/A
Specials
18 episodes
N/A
1971/2
42 episodes
September 21, 1971
1972/3
49 episodes
September 12, 1972
1973/4
43 episodes
September 25, 1973
1974/5
42 episodes
September 24, 1974
1975/6
35 episodes
September 30, 1975
1976/7
36 episodes
September 28, 1976
1977/8
39 episodes
September 20, 1977
1978/9
37 episodes
September 19, 1978
1979/80
34 episodes
September 18, 1979
1980/81
41 episodes
October 7, 1980
1981/2
29 episodes
October 1, 1981
1982/3
22 episodes
September 17, 1982
1983/4
20 episodes
September 18, 1983
1984/5
38 episodes
October 23, 1984
1985/6
31 episodes
October 1, 1985
1986/7
20 episodes
September 20, 1986
BBC
GB
