The Old Grey Whistle Test
Season 16 Episode 9 - Run DMC
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 in Season 16
The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker
60 min
Paul Simon special
60 min
End of the Year
60 min
Run DMC
60 min
Episode 5
60 min
Michelle Shocked
60 min
The Comfy Area
60 min
The Cult
60 min
Run DMC
60 min
World Party
60 min
Episode 11
60 min
Episode 12
60 min
Deep Purple / The Mission
60 min
U2 / Sinéad O’Connor
60 min
Episode 15
60 min
Wet Wet Wet
60 min
Paul Simon
60 min
Level 42 in concert
60 min
Big in Japan special
60 min
That Was The Whistle Test That Was
60 min
