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 6
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1
E1
Bob Dylan
Sep 28, 1976 -
2
E2
Episode 2
Oct 5, 1976 · 40m -
3
E3
Janis Ian
Oct 12, 1976 -
4
E4
Episode 4
Oct 19, 1976 -
5
E5
Peter Frampton
Oct 26, 1976 -
6
E6
Episode 6
Nov 2, 1976 · 40m -
7
E7
Ralph McTell
Bob Harris introduces Ralph McTell in concert at the BBC Television Theatre in London's Shepherds Bush in 1976.
Nov 9, 1976 · 38m -
8
E8
Episode 8
Nov 16, 1976 -
9
E9
Linda Ronstadt
Nov 23, 1976 -
10
E10
Episode 10
Nov 30, 1976 -
11
E11
Jackson Browne
Dec 7, 1976 · 47m -
12
E12
Heart / Racing Cars
Dec 14, 1976 -
13
E13
Macon Whoppee (Capricorn Summer Picnic)
Dec 21, 1976 -
14
E14
Rod Stewart in concert
The Old Grey Whistle Test presents Rod's Christmas Concert recorded on 1976-12-15 featuring The Rod Stewart Group performing on stage at Olympia, London. Tonight’s the Night / The Wild Side of Life / This Old Heart of Mine / Sweet Little Rock ’n’ Roller / I Don’t Want to Talk About It / The Killing of Georgie / Maggie May / Get Back / Losing You / Sailing
Dec 24, 1976 · 64m -
15
E15
Pick of the Year
Dec 31, 1976 -
16
E16
Episode 16
Jan 4, 1977 -
17
E17
Episode 17
Jan 11, 1977 -
18
E18
The Eleventh House
Jan 18, 1977 -
19
E19
Ry Cooder & The Chicken Skin Band
Feb 1, 1977 -
20
E20
Average White Band
Feb 8, 1977 -
21
E21
Episode 21
Feb 15, 1977 · 42m -
22
E22
Manhattan Transfer
Feb 22, 1977 -
23
E23
Episode 23
Mar 1, 1977 -
24
E24
Episode 24
Mar 8, 1977 -
25
E25
Andrew Gold
Mar 15, 1977 -
26
E26
The Kinks
Mar 29, 1977 -
27
E27
Bandit
Apr 5, 1977 -
28
E28
Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band
Apr 12, 1977 -
29
E29
Episode 29
Apr 19, 1977 · 39m -
30
E30
The Kinks
Apr 26, 1977 -
31
E31
Episode 31
May 3, 1977 -
32
E32
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
May 10, 1977 -
33
E33
Dory Previn in concert
May 17, 1977 -
34
E34
George Benson / Udio Lindberg
May 24, 1977 -
35
E35
Episode 35
May 31, 1977 -
36
E36
Eric Clapton
Jun 7, 1977
