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 (37)
1. Ramones
Aired 19 September 1978 • 60 min
2. Rezillos / Steven Bishop
Aired 26 September 1978 • 60 min
3. The Police
Aired 3 October 1978 • 60 min
4. Jethro Tull in concert
Aired 9 October 1978 • 60 min
5. Episode 5
Aired 17 October 1978 • 60 min
6. Siouxsie and the Banshees / The Cars / John Cooper Clarke / Steely Dan / Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger
Aired 24 October 1978 • 60 min
01 - Introduction by Anne Nightingale 02 - Metal Postcard - Siouxsie and the Banshees 03 - Jigsaw Feeling - Siouxsie and the Banshees 04 - The Cars - Interview with Bob Harris pt1 05 - My Best Friends Girl - The Cars 06 - The Cars - Interview with Bob Harris pt2 07 - Just What I Needed - The Cars 08 - Reelin In The Years - Steely Dan 09 - I Don't Want To Be Nice - John Cooper Clarke 10 - Kung-Fu International - John Cooper Clarke 11 - Readers Wives - John Cooper Clarke 12 - Walk And Don't Look Back - Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger
7. Episode 7
Aired 31 October 1978 • 60 min
8. Episode 8
Aired 7 November 1978 • 60 min
9. Buzzcocks
Aired 14 November 1978 • 60 min
10. Devo
Aired 28 November 1978 • 60 min
11. X-Ray Spex
Aired 5 December 1978 • 60 min
12. Muddy Waters / Devo
Aired 12 December 1978 • 60 min
13. Episode 13
Aired 19 December 1978 • 60 min
14. Rod Stewart in concert
Aired 24 December 1978 • 60 min
Repeat from 24th December 1976
15. Pick of the Year, Part 1
Aired 30 December 1978 • 60 min
16. Pick of the Year, Part 2
Aired 31 December 1978 • 60 min
17. Episode 17
Aired 2 January 1979 • 60 min
18. Episode 18
Aired 9 January 1979 • 60 min
19. Episode 19
Aired 16 January 1979 • 60 min
20. Emerson, Lake & Palmer special
Aired 23 January 1979 • 60 min
Karen Evil 9 - 1st impression / Watching Over You / Tank / Tiger in a Spotlight / Show me the Way to go Home / Piano Concerto (instrumental) / Pirates All recorded in Memphis, except Piano Concerto and Pirates, filmed in Montreal.
21. Episode 21
Aired 30 January 1979 • 60 min
22. Episode 22
Aired 13 February 1979 • 60 min
23. Episode 23
Aired 20 February 1979 • 60 min
24. Episode 24
Aired 27 February 1979 • 60 min
25. Episode 25
Aired 6 March 1979 • 60 min
26. Episode 26
Aired 13 March 1979 • 60 min
27. Episode 27
Aired 20 March 1979 • 60 min
28. Episode 28
Aired 27 March 1979 • 60 min
29. Episode 29
Aired 3 April 1979 • 60 min
30. Iggy Pop / Tom Waits
Aired 10 April 1979 • 60 min
31. Johnny Winter in concert
Aired 17 April 1979 • 60 min
Johnny Winter in concert at TV Shepherds Bush Theatre, London. Hideaway / Messin’ with the Kid / Mississippi Blues / Walking by Myself / Rock n’ Roll
32. Episode 32
Aired 8 May 1979 • 60 min
33. Episode 33
Aired 15 May 1979 • 60 min
34. Episode 34
Aired 22 May 1979 • 60 min
35. Episode 35
Aired 29 May 1979 • 60 min
36. Episode 36
Aired 5 June 1979 • 60 min
37. Thin Lizzy in concerts
Aired 12 June 1979 • 60 min
Thin Lizzy live at the Rainbow Theatre March 1978. The Boys are Back in Town / Emerald / Dancing in the Moonlight / Massacre / Still in Love with You / Don’t Believe a Word / Are You Ready / Sha la la / Baby Drives me Crazy / Me and the Boys