The Old Grey Whistle Test
Season 8 Episode 3 - The Police
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 8
Ramones
60 min
Rezillos / Steven Bishop
60 min
The Police
60 min
Jethro Tull in concert
60 min
Episode 5
60 min
Siouxsie and the Banshees / The Cars / John Cooper Clarke / Steely Dan / Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger
60 min
Episode 7
60 min
Episode 8
60 min
Buzzcocks
60 min
Devo
60 min
X-Ray Spex
60 min
Muddy Waters / Devo
60 min
Episode 13
60 min
Rod Stewart in concert
60 min
Pick of the Year, Part 1
60 min
Pick of the Year, Part 2
60 min
Episode 17
60 min
Episode 18
60 min
Episode 19
60 min
Emerson, Lake & Palmer special
60 min
Episode 21
60 min
Episode 22
60 min
Episode 23
60 min
Episode 24
60 min
Episode 25
60 min
Episode 26
60 min
Episode 27
60 min
Episode 28
60 min
Episode 29
60 min
Iggy Pop / Tom Waits
60 min
Johnny Winter in concert
60 min
Episode 32
60 min
Episode 33
60 min
Episode 34
60 min
Episode 35
60 min
Episode 36
60 min
Thin Lizzy in concerts
60 min
