The Old Grey Whistle Test

1971

Seasons & Episodes

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8.1| NA| en| More Info
Released: 21 September 1971 Ended
Producted By: BBC
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006zbkl
Info

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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BBC

The Old Grey Whistle Test Videos and Images

The Old Grey Whistle Test Audience Reviews

Supelice Dreadfully Boring
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
gnb Famous, and rightly so, as the only music programme of its generation to give airtime to obscure, unsigned and alternative bands/artists.Many a now-famous face were given their first 15 minutes of fame on the "Old Grey Whistle Test" and we have it to thank for introducing vast quantities of quality music to the record buying public.If you can, get your hands on the special DVD releases celebrating the programme. While the first issue concentrates mainly on famous artists (Meat Loaf, Blondie, Simply Red, Talking Heads) it is the more obscure acts on DVD 2 that are really of interest (Kevin Ayers, Be Bop Deluxe).So if you can remember Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale, Mark Ellen and David Hepworth first time round then give OGWT another blast. Whereas, if you know nothing about the programme give it a watch any way and ask yourself why we don't have music shows like this anymore!
foxybyproxy This collection of performances from the 70's to the 90's includes some classic songs by everyone from Randy Newman to the Damned. Classic footage of the New York Dolls, Captain Beefheart, Iggy Pop, the Ramones and others make this a must have for any music fan. It's monaural but the quality is still very good and most performances are live.