The Old Grey Whistle Test
8.1
1971
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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- Cast：
- Bob Harris , Annie Nightingale
Episode 39 : Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in concert
June. 20,1978
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
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Episode 38 : Episode 38
June. 13,1978
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Episode 37 : ‘Randy Newman’ in Concert
June. 06,1978
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
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Episode 36 : Episode 36
May. 30,1978
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Episode 35 : The Jam
May. 23,1978
The Jam • Billy Hunt " In The Street Today " " 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street "
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Episode 34 : Dire Straits
May. 16,1978
"Sultans Of Swing"
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Episode 33 : Episode 33
May. 09,1978
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Episode 32 : Episode 32
May. 02,1978
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Episode 31 : Episode 31
April. 11,1978
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Episode 30 : Episode 30
April. 04,1978
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Episode 29 : Cheap Trick
March. 28,1978
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Episode 28 : ‘Graham Parker & The Rumour’ in Concert
March. 21,1978
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
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Episode 27 : Billy Joel
March. 14,1978
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)
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Episode 26 : Episode 26
March. 07,1978
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Episode 25 : Episode 25
February. 28,1978
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Episode 24 : ‘Dickie Betts & Great Southern’ in Concert
February. 21,1978
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)
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Episode 23 : XTV / Radio Stars English
February. 14,1978
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Episode 22 : Adverts / Jim Capaldi / Styx / Dusty Springfield
February. 07,1978
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Episode 21 : Talking Heads / Fabulous Poodles
January. 31,1978
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Episode 20 : Episode 20
January. 24,1978
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Episode 19 : Episode 19
January. 17,1978
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Episode 18 : ‘John Martyn’ Special
January. 10,1978
May you Never / Small Hours / Certain Surprise / Couldn’t Love You More / Big Muff / Bless the Weather (credits) Inside out / Spencer and the Rover
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Episode 17 : Picks of Last Years Bunch
January. 05,1978
(Originally intended for 31st December)
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Episode 16 : Ramones
January. 03,1978
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Episode 15 : The Kinks’ Christmas Concert
December. 24,1977
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
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Episode 14 : Episode 14
December. 20,1977
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Episode 13 : Episode 13
December. 13,1977
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Episode 12 : Episode 12
December. 06,1977
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Episode 11 : Tyla Gang / Don McLean / Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / Warsaw Pakt / Steve Hillage
November. 29,1977
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)
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Episode 10 : ‘Southside Johnny & The Ashury Dukes’ in Concert
November. 22,1977
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
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Episode 9 : Cher & Greg Allman
November. 15,1977
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Episode 8 : Episode 8
November. 08,1977
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Episode 7 : James Taylor & Carly Simon
November. 01,1977
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Episode 6 : The Runaways
October. 25,1977
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Episode 5 : Dr. Hook
October. 18,1977
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Episode 4 : Episode 4
October. 11,1977
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Episode 3 : Joan Armatrading / Harry Chaplin
October. 04,1977
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Episode 2 : Episode 2
September. 27,1977
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Episode 1 : ‘Rolling Stones’ in Concert
September. 20,1977
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
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Seasons
Season 11
The eleventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 1st October 1981, concluding after 29 episodes on 10th June 1982.
Season 10
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.
Season 7
The seventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 20th September 1977, concluding on 20th Jun 1987 and containing 39 episodes.
Season 4
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.
Season 3
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.
Season 2
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
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