The Old Grey Whistle Test

TV Show
TitleThe Old Grey Whistle Test
User score

7.5

Release dateSep 21, 1971
Release date of last episodeApr 22, 1987
Genre
Production countryUnited Kingdom
Production companiesBBC
Series statusEnded
Seasons count16 (List of episodes)
Episodes count558
Run time60 min.

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.

Latest episodes

List of episodes

S16.E20 ∙ That Was The Whistle Test That Was

Apr 22, 1987

S16.E19 ∙ Big in Japan special

Apr 21, 1987

S16.E18 ∙ Level 42 in concert

Apr 20, 1987

S16.E17 ∙ Paul Simon

Apr 1, 1987

S16.E16 ∙ Wet Wet Wet

Mar 25, 1987

S16.E15 ∙ Episode 15

Mar 18, 1987

S16.E14 ∙ U2 / Sinéad O’Connor

Mar 11, 1987

S16.E13 ∙ Deep Purple / The Mission

Mar 4, 1987

S16.E12 ∙ Episode 12

Feb 25, 1987

S16.E11 ∙ Episode 11

Feb 18, 1987

S16.E10 ∙ World Party

Feb 11, 1987

S16.E9 ∙ Run DMC

Feb 4, 1987

S16.E8 ∙ The Cult

Jan 28, 1987

S16.E7 ∙ The Comfy Area

Jan 21, 1987

S16.E6 ∙ Michelle Shocked

Jan 14, 1987

S16.E5 ∙ Episode 5

Jan 13, 1987

S16.E4 ∙ Run DMC

Jan 7, 1987

S16.E3 ∙ End of the Year

Dec 31, 1986

S16.E2 ∙ Paul Simon special

Dec 23, 1986

S16.E1 ∙ The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker

Sep 20, 1986

Actors

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