About this season
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.
Episodes (20)
1. The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker
Aired 20 September 1986 • 60 min
2. Paul Simon special
Aired 23 December 1986 • 60 min
3. End of the Year
Aired 31 December 1986 • 60 min
4. Run DMC
Aired 7 January 1987 • 60 min
5. Episode 5
Aired 13 January 1987 • 60 min
6. Michelle Shocked
Aired 14 January 1987 • 60 min
7. The Comfy Area
Aired 21 January 1987 • 60 min
8. The Cult
Aired 28 January 1987 • 60 min
9. Run DMC
Aired 4 February 1987 • 60 min
10. World Party
Aired 11 February 1987 • 60 min
11. Episode 11
Aired 18 February 1987 • 60 min
12. Episode 12
Aired 25 February 1987 • 60 min
13. Deep Purple / The Mission
Aired 4 March 1987 • 60 min
14. U2 / Sinéad O’Connor
Aired 11 March 1987 • 60 min
15. Episode 15
Aired 18 March 1987 • 60 min
16. Wet Wet Wet
Aired 25 March 1987 • 60 min
17. Paul Simon
Aired 1 April 1987 • 60 min
18. Level 42 in concert
Aired 20 April 1987 • 60 min
19. Big in Japan special
Aired 21 April 1987 • 60 min
20. That Was The Whistle Test That Was
Aired 22 April 1987 • 60 min
5 hour finale