The Old Grey Whistle Test

The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971-1973)

EndedVariety showMusic

The Old Grey Whistle Test is a variety music show that aired on BBC 2.

The show's focus on "serious" rock music, rather than chart hits covered on BBC1 by Top of the Pops, was emphasised by a lack of showbiz glitter: bands would often perform their songs in front of either the bare studio walls or plain wooden boards (actually the backs of set walls from other programmes filmed in the same studio).

The programme hosted many seminal acts of the era, including the first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as then little-known acts of whom any early footage is now considered precious, such as Billy Joel, Judas Priest (with a long haired Rob Halford), Wishbone Ash, Judee Sill, Heart, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Whistle Test was also the British television debut of the American glam punk band New York Dolls. Although host Bob Harris derided the group as "mock rock," comparing them unfavourably to The Rolling Stones, their performance influenced the following punk rock scene such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash as well as alternative bands like R.E.M. and The Smiths and the glam metal scene of the 1980s.

Networks
Scheduleevery Tuesday (45 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S02E38Golden Earring, Loudon Wainwright IIIMai 29, 1973
S02E36Roy Buchanan, Jan Akkerman, Lean Russell, B. B. KingMai 15, 1973
S02E35Episode 35Mai 8, 1973
S02E34The Wailers, Pete Atkin, Yes, Bob MarleyMai 1, 1973
S02E33Birtha, John David Souther, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin GayeApr. 24, 1973
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When was the premiere of The Old Grey Whistle Test?

The Old Grey Whistle Test premiered on September 21, 1971.

What was the show's concept?

The show's concept was to feature live performances by rock bands and solo artists in a studio setting, as well as interviews with musicians.

Who were the hosts of The Old Grey Whistle Test?

The show had a rotating cast of hosts that included Richard Williams, Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale, and David Hepworth, among others.

What was the significance of the show's name?

The name "The Old Grey Whistle Test" was a reference to a Tin Pan Alley tradition in which a song's demo would be played to an executive who would then hum the tune and, if they could remember it, it passed the "old grey whistle test."

How long were the performances on the show?

Most performances on the show were between 15 and 20 minutes long.

What was the show's target audience?

The show's target audience was primarily young adults and music enthusiasts.

What was Ian Anderson's memorable performance on the show?

Ian Anderson's memorable performance on the show was in 1972 when he performed "My God" with Jethro Tull, complete with a theatrical performance that included a black cape and an introduction with a church bell.

Which Led Zeppelin album did the band preview on the show?

Led Zeppelin previewed their album "IV" on the show in 1971, performing "Black Dog" and "Stairway to Heaven" among others.

What was a unique aspect of the show's set design?

The show's set design featured a railway station clock and a railway car-style backdrop, which conveyed the sense that the show was a "journey through rock."

Which famous song did Bob Marley perform on the show in 1973?

Bob Marley performed his hit song "I Shot the Sheriff" on the show in 1973.

Also known as

  • Whistle Test

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Outer Banks
Running

Outer Banks

On an island of haves and have-nots, teen John B enlists his three best friends to hunt for a legendary treasure linked to his father's disappearance.

Alone
Running

Alone

Alone places ten hardcore survivalists alone in the wilderness - no camera crew, no teams, no producers - on a single mission to stay alive. At stake is $500,000 awarded to the person who can last the longest. They will face extreme isolation and psychological distress as they plunge into the unknown, self-documenting their experience.

Guy's Grocery Games
Running

Guy's Grocery Games

In each episode of Guy's Grocery Games, four talented chefs compete in a number of challenges as they navigate their way through the aisles of a grocery store, adhering to "real-world" obstacles. Whether it is shopping on a budget, substituting out-of-stock ingredients or grabbing groceries at closing time, each chef has to shop, prepare, and plate three different dishes using whatever they can pull off the shelves. Ultimately, the food does the talking, as one-by-one the losing chefs "check out," by a rotating panel of judges that includes Melissa d'Arabian, Richard Blais, G. Garvin, Troy Johnson, Catherine McCord, Aarti Sequeira, among others. The last chef standing goes on a shopping spree of a lifetime worth up to $20,000!

GenreFood
Wild Cards
Running

Wild Cards

Wild Cards follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman. Ellis, a demoted detective, has unfortunately spent the last year on the maritime unit, while Max has been living a transient life elaborately scamming everyone she meets. But when Max gets arrested and ends up helping Ellis solve a local crime, the two are offered the opportunity to redeem themselves, with Ellis going back to detective and Max staying out of jail. The catch? They have to work together, with each using their unique skills to solve crimes. For Ellis, that means hard-boiled shoe leather police work; for Max, it means accents, schemes and generally befriending everyone in sight, while driving Ellis absolutely nuts. Against the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver — with all its unique, charming, and even contradictory neighbourhoods and subcultures — the two will have to learn what it means to trust another person and maybe actually become partners.

Nine Perfect Strangers
Running

Nine Perfect Strangers

Nine Perfect Strangers takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this ten-day retreat is the resort's director Masha, a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine "perfect" strangers have no idea what is about to hit them.