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 16
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1
E1
The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker
Sep 20, 1986 -
2
E2
Paul Simon special
Dec 23, 1986 -
3
E3
End of the Year
Dec 31, 1986 -
4
E4
Run DMC
Jan 7, 1987 -
5
E5
Episode 5
Jan 13, 1987 -
6
E6
Michelle Shocked
Jan 14, 1987 -
7
E7
The Comfy Area
Jan 21, 1987 -
8
E8
The Cult
Jan 28, 1987 -
9
E9
Run DMC
Feb 4, 1987 -
10
E10
World Party
Feb 11, 1987 -
11
E11
Episode 11
Feb 18, 1987 -
12
E12
Episode 12
Feb 25, 1987 -
13
E13
Deep Purple / The Mission
Mar 4, 1987 -
14
E14
U2 / Sinéad O’Connor
Mar 11, 1987 -
15
E15
Episode 15
Mar 18, 1987 -
16
E16
Wet Wet Wet
Mar 25, 1987 -
17
E17
Paul Simon
Apr 1, 1987 -
18
E18
Level 42 in concert
Apr 20, 1987 -
19
E19
Big in Japan special
Apr 21, 1987 -
20
E20
That Was The Whistle Test That Was
5 hour finale
Apr 22, 1987
