Original title
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Released
9/21/1971
Origin country
GB
Production companies
BBC
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
16
Number of episodes
558
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.
Over its incredible 16-year run from 1971-1987 The Old Grey Whistle Test was THE destination in the U.K. to see cutting ed live performances by the hottest emerging acts in music. The first in a series of three Old Grey Whistle Test DVD compilations to be exported to the U.S. The Old Grey Whistle Test features performances by such legends as John Lennon Elton John Bob Marley Lynyrd Skynyrd Rory Gallagher The Police REM and U2 often at the start of their legendary careers! PLUS historic interviews with Mick Jagger John Lennon Keith Richards Robert Plant Bruce Springsteen and Elton John - over three hours of music and interviews in total - all on one DVD that will be a must have for music fans everywhere! Complete Playlist (in order of appearance on the program): Alice Cooper "Under My Wheels"; Elton John "Tiny Dancer"; Curtis Mayfield "We Gotta Have Peace"; Randy Newman "Political Science"; Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine"; Rory Gallagher "Hands Off"; The Wailers "Stir It Up"; Roxy Music "Do The Strand"; The Edgar Winter Group "Frankenstein"; Captain Beefheart "Upon the My O My"; Little Feat "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor"; John Lennon "Stand By Me"; Lynyrd Skynyrd "Freebird"; Emmylou Harris "Amarillo"; Bonnie Raitt "Too Long At The Fair"; Tom Waits "Tom Traubert's Blues"; Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"; XTC "Statue of Liberty"; Blondie "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear"; Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "American Girl" The Police "Can't Stand Losing You"; Bruce Springsteen "Rosalita"; Iggy Pop "I'm Bored"; The Specials "Message to You Rudi"; The Damned "Smash It Up/I Just Can't Be Happy Today"; The Ramones "Rock 'n' Roll High School"; U2 "I Will Follow"; REM "Moon River" / "Pretty Persuasion"
This is a fantastic collection of Old Grey Whistle Test and Rock Goes To College appearances. The Old Grey Whistle Test, Collegiate Theatre, UCL, January 10th 1978 - May You Never, Small Hours, Certain Surprise, Couldn't Love You More and Big Muff. Rock Goes To College, Reading University, October 20th 1978 - May You Never, One World, One Day Without You, The Dealer, Certain Surprise, Big Muff and Anna. Rock Goes To College, Stirling University, March 2nd 1981 Big Muff, Some People Are Crazy, Grace and Danger, Save Some (For Me), Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail, Couldn't Love You More, Amsterdam and Johnny Too Bad. Bonus Footage, ALL from The Old Grey Whistle Test; March 13th 1973 May You Never and I'd Rather Be The Devil. January 17th 1975 One Day Without You and You Can Discover. March 1st 1977 Couldn't Love You More and One World. October 15th 1982 Hiss On The Tape, Hung Up and Gun Money.
Compilation of 1970s BBC performances on shows from The Old Grey Whistle Test to Sight and Sound by such luminaries of the electric guitar as Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler, The Edge and Peter Green, as well as acoustic masters like John Martyn, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Paco Pena. Happening For Lulu - 04/01/1969 Jimi Hendrix — Voodoo Chile Monster Music Mash - 07/10/1969 Fleetwood Mac — Oh Well Top Of The Pops - 15/10/1970 Deep Purple — Black Night In Concert: Pentangle - 04/01/1971 The Pentangle — Blues In Time Sounds For Saturday - 01/07/197 Paco Peña — Cantes Por Bulerias Top Of The Pops - 01/12/1973 Thin Lizzy — Whiskey in the Jar The Old Grey Whistle Test - 17/01/1975 Little Feat — Rock & Roll Doctor The Old Grey Whistle Test - 14/03/1975 Dr. Feelgood — Roxette Sign And Sound In Concert - 22/01/1977 Santana — Oye Como Va Sign And Sound In Concert - 15/10/1977 John Martyn — Dealer The Old Grey Whistle Test - 16/05/1978 Dire Straits — Sultans Of Swing The Old Grey Whistle Test - 20/06/1978 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers — American Girl The Old Grey Whistle Test - 17/10/1978 B.B. King — 'Hold On' Rock Goes To College - 27/01/1979 Rory Gallagher — Brute Force And Ignorance Rock Goes To College - 24/02/1979 The Police — Message in a Bottle The Old Grey Whistle Test - 28/02/1981 U2 — I Will Follow
01. Eagles - Take It Easy (In Concert, Recorded 20th March 1973) 02. Little Feat - Fat Man In The Bathtub (17th January 1975) 03. Peter Frampton - Show Me The Way (Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead - 26th October 1976) 04. Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (Studio, 16th May 1978) 05. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (Televison Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, London - 11th November 1975) 06. Bob Seger - Still The Same (In Concert 1978) 07. Tom Petty - Fooled Again (10th May 1977) 08. ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses (15th April 1980) 09. Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon (In Concert 1976) 10. Rory Gallagher- Walk On Hot Coals (13th February 1973) 11. Steve Miller Band - The Gangster Is Back (Rainbow Theatre, London February 1972, OGWT 19th July 1975) 12. Joe Walsh - Turn To Stone (2nd May 1975) 13. Eagles - Hotel California (In Concert 1978) 14. Little Feat- Long Distance Love (Studio 1975) 15. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird (Knebworth Festival, 21st August 1976) 16. Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan (November 1978) 17. Like A Hurricane - Neil Young (Hammersmith Odeon, March 1976)
01. Ramones - Don't Come Close - studio 1978 02. ZZ Top - I Thank You - studio 1980 03. Talking Heads - Life During Wartime - in concert 1979 04. Spirit - Turn To The Right - studio 1981 05. Bruce Springsteen - Quarter To Three - in concert 1979 06. Linda Ronstadt - Willin' - in concert 1976 07. John Martyn (with Phil Collins) - Sweet Little Mystery - studio 1980 08. Genesis - I Know What I Like - in concert 1973 09. Yes - Yours Is No Disgrace (cut) - in concert 1972 10. George Benson - Nature Boy - studio 1977 11. Curtis Mayfield - Keep On Keeping On - studio 1972 12. Elton John - The B*tch Is Back - in concert 1974 13. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way - in concert 1976 14. Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rich Girl - studio 1977 15. Nils Lofgren - Back It Up - studio 1975 16. Dr Feelgood - She Does It Right - studio 1975 17. Manfred Mann's Earthband - Blinded By The Light - (Midnight Special 1976) 18. Rolling Stones - Hip Shake ( Montreux 1972) 19. Rolling Stones - Bluesberry Jam/ John's Jam (Montreux 1972)
01. Tourists - Blind Among The Flowers - 1979 02. Japan - Swing - 1981 03. Pretenders - Stop Your Sobbing - 1981 04. Nina Hagen - Ziggy Stardust 05. Patti Smith - Horses - 1976 06. Jim Croce - Workin' At The Car Wash Blues - 1973 07. Paul Butterfield - Slow Down - 1977 08. Alvin Lee - Don't Be Cruel - 1975 09. Stackridge - Dancing On Air - 1975 10. Bonnie Raitt - Love Has No Pride - 1975 11. Joni Mitchell - Help Me - 1975 12. Van Morrison - Wild Nights - 1975 13. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes - The Fever - 1977 14. Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love - 1975 15. Ry Cooder - Vigilante Man - 1973 16. Joe Walsh - Rocky Mountain Way - 1975 17. Tell Everyone 18. Sweet Lady Mary
01. OGWT Intro 02. Bob Harris Intro 03. Spanish Tide - Family (November 1971) 04. Fog On The Tyne - Lindisfarne (October 1971) 05. Think About It, Darling - Jerry Lee Lewis (April 1972) 06. Rusty Red Armour - Vinegar Joe (April 1972) 07. What About Me? - Richie Havens (June 1972) 08. God's Song - Randy Newman (March 1972) 09. Looking For A Love - The J. Geils Band (January 1973) 10. Use Me - Bill Withers (November 1972) 11. On Broadway - The Drifters (July 1973) 12. Looking For A Kiss - The New York Dolls (November 1973) 13. Dance With Me - Janis Ian (October 1974) 14. This Is The Day - Captain Beefheart (June 1974) 15. If You Want To Get To Heaven - The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (April 1976) 16. Be My Baby - Kate & Anna McGarrigle (February 1977) 17. Johannesburg - Gil Scott-Heron (February 1976) 18. White Punks On Dope - The Tubes (November 1977) 19. Radios In Motion - XTC (February 1978) 20. The Beginning Of The End - Eddie & The Hot Rods (February 1978) 21. Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions - Graham Parker & The Rumour (March 1978) 22. My Best Friend's Girl - The Cars (November 1978) 23. Free For All - Ted Nugent (May 1979) 24. Burma Shave - Tom Waits (April 1979) 25. Peter Gabriel Interview (OGWT, 1982-10-09) 26. Bob Dylan & Dave Stewart - Interview & Performance (OGWT, 1985-11-22) 27. Goin' To Brownsville - Ry Cooder (OGWT, 1973) 28. Smack Dab In The Middle - Ry Cooder (OGWT, January 1977) 29. He'll Have To Go - Ry Cooder (OGWT, January 1977) 30. How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live? - Ry Cooder (OGWT, 1982)
01. The Mumble Rumble & The Cocktail Rock - Kilburn & The High Roads (Ian Dury) - 1973-11-20 02. Doolin Dalton - J.D. Souther - 1973-04-24 03. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder - 1974-02-03 04. Costafine Town - Splinter - 1974-10-08 05. This Is The Day - Captain Beefheart - 1974-06-18 06. Another Sleep Song - Graham Nash - 1974-05-08 07. Coast To Coast - Ducks Deluxe - 1974-01-20 08. Space Circus - Chick Corea - 1974-03-12 09. Turn To Stone - Joe Walsh - 1975-05-02 10. Fat Man In The Bathtub - Little Feat - 1975-01-17 11. You Never Can Tell - Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance 1975-02-21 12. Piano Man - Billy Joel - 1975-05-16 13. Hey Joe - Patti Smith - 1976-05-11 14. Love Me Like A Man - Bonnie Raitt - 1976-03-23 15. For A Dancer - Jackson Browne - 1976-12-07 16. Mohammed's Radio - Warren Zevon & Jackson Browne - 1976-12-07 17. Without Love - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes - 1977-04-16 18. Fooled Again - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - 1977-05-10 19. Close Your Eyes - James Taylor & Carly Simon - 1977-11-01 20. Sixteen Again - The Buzzcocks - 1978-11-14 21. Art-I-Ficial - X-Ray Spex - 1978-12-05 22. Definitive Gaze - Magazine - 1978-09-19 23. Don't You Write Her Off - McGuinn, Clark & Hillman - 1979-02-20 24. On The Nickel - Tom Waits - 1979-04-24 25. Cheap Sunglasses - ZZ Top - 1980-04-15 26. Interview / Doin' The Things That We Want To - Lou Reed - 1984-12-18 27. The Lay Of The Land - The Fall (with The Michael Clark Company) - 1984-11-20 28. Lights Of Downtown - The Long Ryders- 1985-10-01 29. The Last Time (I Get Burned Like This) - The Robert Cray Band - 1985-11-26 30. Uncomplicated - Elvis Costello & The Attractions - 1986-05-27 31. Farewell From Bob Harris - 1988-01-01 (The Last Whistle Test) 32. Sally MacLennane - The Pogues - 1985-06-04
01. Queen B*tch (Take 2) - David Bowie 1972-02-08 * 02. We Got The Beat - The Go-Go's 1982-01-21 03. Indiscipline - King Crimson 1982-03-18 04. I Know What Boys Like - The Waitresses 1982-04-29 05. Another One Bites The Dust - Clint Eastwood & General Saint 1982-04-22 06. A Dream Goes On Forever - Todd Rundgren 1982-06-03 07. Ziggy Stardust - Bauhaus 1982-10-04 08. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John 1982-12-24 09. Scullery - Clifford T. Ward 1973-11-20 10. On The Line - Graham Nash 1974-05-08 11. Lovesick Blues - The Crickets 1972-12-12 12. Walk On Hot Coals - Rory Gallagher 1973-02-13 13. Thousand Stars - Big Country 1983-04-22 14. Gold - Spandau Ballet 1983-04-29 15. war Baby - Tom Robinson (recorded in Chippenham 1983-11-28) 16. Reel Around The Fountain - The Smiths (recorded at The Assembly Rooms, Derby 1983-12-06) 17. I Will Not Follow - The Waterboys 1983-05-27 18. our Lips Are Sealed - Fun Boy Three 1983-05-06 19. Tear-Stained Letter - Richard Thompson 1984-03-23 20. Frost & Fire - Everything But The Girl 1984-10-30 21. I Love You Suzanne - Lou Reed 1984-12-18 22. Gun Law - Kane Gang 1985-02-19 23. Uncomplicated - Elvis Costello & The Attractions 1986-05-27 24. Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam 1986-07-15 25. Back To Centre - Paul Brady 1986-06-17 26. Shop Lifters - Ivor Cutler 1986-06-03 27. Severina - The Mission (with Julianne Regan) 1987-03-04 28. Just Like You Said It Would Be - Sinead O'Connor (recorded in Belfast 1987-03-11) 29. Ship Of Fools - World Party 1987-02-11 30. Exit - U2 (recorded in Belfast 1987-03-11) 31. Chantilly Lace > Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Jerry Lee Lewis 1972-04-25
01. Workin' For MCA - Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974-12-05 (Rockpalast) 02. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974-12-05 (Rockpalast) 03. Show Me The Way - Peter Frampton 1976-10-26 04. Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits 1978-05-16 05. Foxhole - Television 1978-05-16 06. Don't Come Close - The Ramones 1978-09-19 07. War Zone - The Vibrators 1978-04-04 08. Ha Ha, I'm Drowning - The Teardrop Explodes 1980-11-08 09. Too Much, Too Young - The Specials 1979-10-02 10. Cosmic Surfing - Yellow Magic Orchestra 1979-10-09 11. Down By The River - Neil Young & The International Harvesters 1985-10-15 (excerpt) 12. I'm Waiting For The Man - Lou Reed 1984-12-18 outtake 13. Dying On The Vine - John Cale 1985-12-03 14. Brenda's Iron Sledge - Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians 1985-04-16 15. Milkman of Human Kindness - Billy Bragg 1984-02-10 16. Inbetween Days - The Cure 1985-11-19 (@ Camden Palace, London) 17. Home - Public Image Limited 1986-05-20 18. Neat, Neat, Neat - The Damned 1986-09-20 19. Oblivious - Aztec Camera 1983-12-16 (@ Aston University Birmingham) 20. Working For The Yankee Dollar - The Skids 1979-11-13 21. Don't Worry About The Government - Talking Heads 1978-01-31 22. Streams Of Whiskey - The Pogues 1986-06-17 23. Born In The U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 1984-10-30 24. Listen Like Thieves - INXS 1986-07-08 25. Severina - The Mission (with Julianne Regan) 1987-03-04 26. The Killing Moon - Echo & The Bunnymen 1985-11-12 27. Medicine Show - Big Audio Dynamite 1986-05-13 28. E=MC2 - Big Audio Dynamite 1986-05-13 (excerpt) 29. Cheap Sunglasses - ZZ Top - 1980-04-15 30. I Found Love - Lone Justice 1987-02-25 31. Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974-12-05 (Rockpalast) 32. Women Of Ireland - The Chieftains 1976-04-06 33. OGWT Outro (inc “Billy Hunt” - The Jam 1978-05-23 and “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” - Arctic Monkeys, The Old Grey Whistle Test Story, 2007-01-03)
01. Psycho Killer - Talking Heads - "RockPop" (@ Westfallenhalle, Dortmund 1980-12-20) OGWT 1981-01-31 02. Andy Kershaw Intro 1985-02-26 03. Chasing The Night - The Ramones 1985-02-26 04. Ships In The Night - Be Bop Deluxe 1976-01-13 05. She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult 1987-01-28 06. King Kong - Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - "Colour Me Pop" (BBC) 1968-10-23 (OGWT 1971-11-16) 07. Fly Away - James King & The Lone Wolves 1985-03-05 08. Horses > Hey Joe - Patti Smith 1976-05-11 09. Keith Don't Go - Nils Lofgren 1976-05-25 10. Sin City - Hank Wangford, Billy Bragg & Brendan Croker - "Rock Around The Clock" (BBC) 1986-09-20 11. When Will I Be Loved? - Linda Ronstadt (@ New Victoria Theatre, London) OGWT 1976-11-23 12. You Be Illin' - Run DMC 1987-02-04 13. This Charming Man - The Smiths (@ The Assembly Rooms, Derby 1983-12-06) "Whistle Test On The Road" 1983-12-09 14. Forgotten Sons - Marillion 1983-05-20 15. Run Run Run - Echo & The Bunnymen with Billy Bragg - "Rock Around The Clock" (BBC) 1986-09-20 16. Dreamboat Annie - Heart 1976-12-14 17. Walking By Myself - Johnny Winter (@ BBC Television Theatre, Shepherd's Bush 1979-04-30) OGWT 1979-05-01 18. Celluloid Heroes - The Kinks (@ The Rainbow Theatre, London 1977-12-24) 19. Terminal Love - The Boys 1980-01-08 (or 15th?) 20. Elephant Talk - King Crimson (@ The Venue, London 1981-10-05) OGWT 1981-11-26 21. I Wanna Be Your Dog - Iggy Pop 1979-04-24 22. Get Back To The Country - Neil Young & The International Harvesters 1985-10-15 23. Neil Young interview excerpt 1985-10-15 24. Feelin' Single, Seein' Double - Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band (@ BBC Television Theatre, Shepherd's Bush 1977-01) OGWT 1977-04-12 25. Smoke On The Water Intro - Ritchie Blackmore 26. Ritchie Blackmore talks to "Dawn Chorus" (Liz Kershaw) 27. The Unwritten Law (excerpt) - Deep Purple (Tracks 26-28 @ Palais des Omnisports, Bercy, Paris 1987-02-20) OGWT 1987-03-04 28. Ants Invasion - Adam & The Ants 1981-01-17 29. Poptones - Public Image Limited 1980-12-02 30. Hang On To Yourself - David Bowie (@ Dallas Convention Center 1978-04-10) OGWT 1979-02-27 31. Bob Harris Intro 1977-09-20 32. Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones (@ Les Abbatoirs, Paris 1976-06-05) OGWT 1977-09-29
01. OGWT Intro (1977-09-20) 02. Bob Harris Intro (1977-09-20) 03. Eleven O'clock Tick Tock - U2 (1981-02-28) 04. Love On The Wrong Side Of Town - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (1977-11-22 BBC Televison Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, London, England) 05. School Days - The Runaways (1977-10-25) 06. Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? - Chris Rea (1978-05-16) 07. I Want You To Want Me - Cheap Trick (1978-03-28) 08. Sail Away - Randy Newman (1978-06-06 BBC Televison Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, London, England (recorded 1978-06-02)) 09. Without A Word - Jack Bruce (1975-06-06) 10. Say When - Lene Lovich (1979-03-13) 11. Down In The Park - Tubeway Army (1979-05-22) 12. Night Boat To Cairo - Madness (1979-12-11) 13. She's Tuff - Fabulous Thunderbirds (1980-11-03) 14. Beasley Street - John Cooper Clarke (1980-11-03) 15. Messages - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1980-04-15) 16. Inglan Is A B*tch - Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980-03-06) 17. To Hell With Poverty - Gang Of Four (1981-04-11) 18. All About You - Scars (1981-04-18) 19. Never Gonna Cry Again - Eurythmics (with Holgar Czukay) (1981-06-02) 20. Insects - Altered Images (1981-11-26) 21. Musta Notta Gotta Lotta - Joe Ely (1981-05-11) 22. Sense Of Purpose - The Sound (1981-11-26) 23. The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (Makes Me Poor) - Ry Cooder (recorded 1982-05-18) 24. Alathea - Robin Trower (1975-01-24) 25. Hand Of Fate - Rolling Stones (1976-06-06) 26. Fool To Cry - Rolling Stones (1976-06-06) 27. Outta Space - Billy Preston with the Rolling Stones (1976-06-06) 28. Live Life - Terry Reid (1973-06-19) 29. Sweet Gene Vincent - Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1980-12-24)
A celebration of the musically mixed-up decade that was the 1970s. 01: Elton John, Tiny Dancer 02: Lindisfarne, Fog on the Tyne 03: Steppenwolf, Born to be wild 04: Curtis Mayfiend, We got to have peace 05: David Bowie, Queen Bitch 06: Gladys Knight & The Pips, Every Beat of my heart 07: Vinegar Joe, Proud to be a Honky Woman 08: Brinsley Schwartz, Surrender to the Rhythm 09: New York Dolls, Jet Boy 10: Roxy Music, Do the strand 11: Argent, God gave Rock N Roll to you 12: Bob Marley, Concrete Jungle 13: Captain Beefheart, Upon the My-O-My 14: Johnny Winter, Jumpin' Jack Flash 15: Dr Feelgood, Roxette 16: Patti Smith Horses 17: Gregg Allman & Cher, Love me 18: Tom Petty, Listen to her heart 19: Talking Heads Psycho Killer 20: The Jam, A Bomb in Wardour Street 21: Blondie, (I'm always touched by your) Presence, Dear 22: Iggy Pop, I Wanna Be your dog 23: The Specials, Too much too young
Featuring over 30 tracks including: David Bowie - 'Oh You Pretty Thing', Roger Daltrey - 'Giving It All Away', Supertramp - 'Dreamer', Janis Ian - 'At Seventeen', Joe Jackson - 'Sunday Papers', Orange Juice - 'Rip It Up', B.B. King - 'When It All Comes Down/Hold On' and Chris Rea - 'Fires Of Spring'.
Bob Harris presents a 1975 Lynyrd Skynyrd concert from BBC TV Theatre, Shepherd's Bush, featuring Double Trouble, I Ain't The One, Call Me the Breeze, Same Old Blues, Every Mother's Son, Sweet Home Alabama and Freebird.
A compilation of BBC performances by artists who lived and worked in California in the 1970s. Featuring Jackson Browne, Little Feat, Ry Cooder, Judee Sill, Bonnie Raitt and a rare duet between James Taylor and Carly Simon.
Hosted by Bob Harris, this live studio show features music, special guests and rare archive to mark 30 years since the legendary series was last broadcast in 1988. Bob also chats to Whistle Test alumni along with fans. A night of reminiscence, great music and fun.
The first series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 21st September 1971 and concluded on 11th July 1972 for a total of 43 episodes.
The Move performed two songs, Ella James and The Words of Aaron
"You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone"
The second series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 12th September 1972, concluding on 31st July 1973 with a total of 49 Episodes
Loggins and Messina: "Danny's Song" and "House At Pooh Corner"
Birtha: Free Spirit / Too Much Woman For The Henpecked Man Mike Hugg: Blue Suede Shoes Again Rick Wakeman Interview
The guys in Focus were jamming in a small BBC studio in the heart of Television Centre, rehearsing for their first appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test. It was 12th December 1972, The atmosphere was great, very light-hearted and enjoyable as the band rehearsed its set. They decided to play 'Sylvia', 'Anonymous II' and 'Hocus Pocus', with a seasonal slant. Instead of following the usual pattern of the vocal breaks, This launched into a mock-serious yodelling version of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas...’ building up to that top falsetto with a heart-rending ‘And a Happy New Yeeeeeaaaaarrr...’, tailing off into Jan’s million miles an hour guitar playing. The performance was an absolute sensation. People had never seen anything quite like them before.
Alice Cooper: Under My Wheels Dion / Runaround Sue David Bowie: Queen Bitch Ten Wheel Drive: The Night I Got Out of Jail The Beach Boys: You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone Steve Miller Band: Living in the USA Vinegar Joe: Rusty Red Armour Carole King and Merry Clayton: Oh No Not My Baby Curtis Mayfield: Keep On Keeping On Mick Jagger: Interview The Rolling Stones: Tumbling Dice Poco: Just For Me and You The Beatles: Some Other Guy Roxy Music: Ladytron Stevie Wonder: Interview Janis Ian: He’s A Rainbow Jerry Lee Lewis: Think About It Darlin’ Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Hammersmith, England, Old Grey Whistle Test, "Willow Farm"
J. Geils Band: Looking for a Love / Floyds Hotel Joan Armatrading: Child Star / Give it a Try David Geffen interview Captain Beefheart : Some Yo Yo Stuff (filmfinders) Barclay James Harvest: Thank You (Marquee film) Exuma: Baby Let Me In (filmfinders)
Roberta Flack: Sonny and Sister Joy / I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer Mike Absalom: Hector the Dope Sniffing Hound / Saga of WPC Sadie Stick The Rolling Stones: Happy, All Down The Line (concert clips) Frank Zappa: Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus (filmfinders clip)
The Who: The Relay / Long Live Rock Claire Hammill: The Artist / Please Stay Tonight Shawn Phillips Status Quo: Don’t Waste My Time (Marquee film)
Rory Gallagher: Hands Off / Walk on Hot Coals Duncan Browne: Ragged Rain Life / My Old Friends Bette Midler interview Loggins & Messina: Your Mama Don't Dance (promo)
Tony S McPhee: Write Me a Few Short Lines / Me and the Devil Tassavallan: Presidenti Lounge Donovan: Cosmic Wheels (film) / interview Mickie Most interview Country Joe MacDonald
Argent: God Gave Rock ’n’ Roll to You / It’s Only Money Shawn Phillips: I Took A Walk / Lady Of The Blue Rose Sha Na Na: Rock N Roll is Here To Stay (Crystal Palace, London clip) Roy Buchanan: Them Changes / After Hours (Madison Square Garden, New York, 1972 clip)
Roger Daltrey: Giving It All Away / One Man Band John Martyn: May You Never / I’d Rather Be The Devil John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Move On Fast (from ‘One to One’ concert) Edgar Winter Band: Heavy (concert clip)
Humble Pie: Black Coffee / Twist and Shout Ry Cooder: Goin’ To Brownsville / Vigilante Man / interview Led Zeppelin: No Quarter (filmfinders) Deliverance : Dueling Banjos (film clip)
Birtha: I Can't Stop The Madness John David Southern: How Long / Doolin’ Dalton vintage Motown clips of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Yes, live in Concert at the Rainbow Theatre, Dec 1972. And You and I / Clap / Roundabout / Yours is no Disgrace / Wurm
Homesick James: Louisiana Blues Snooky Pryor: Do the Boogie Woogie Boogie Woogie Red: Hello Little Girl Washboard Willie - Love You Baby 24 Hours a Day Whispering Smith - Never Leave me Baby Lightnin’ Slim - Too Much Monkey Business
Nazareth: Bad Boy / Vigilante Man Harvey Andrews: Friend Of Mine / For My Father Camel: Never Let Go (promo) The Eagles: Outlaw Man (filmfinders) Del Shannon interview
John Entwistle - Peg Leg Peggy / My Wife Kevin Ayers: Shouting in a Bucket Blues / Oh Wot A Dream Slick & Kanter interview Seals & Crofts: Dust On My Saddle (film)
Terry Reid: Without Expression / Live Life Del Shannon - Louise Kelly Strider: Higher & Higher (promo) Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (promo) Pete Sinfield: Still (promo)
Edgar Winter Group: Frankenstein / Rock N Roll Boogie Woogie Blues / Hanging Around Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee: Walking My Blues Away / Sonny's Thing / Walk On Alan Hull: Numbers (film)
Freddie King: Boogie Funk Woman / Across The River Dr. John: Such A Night Doobie Brothers: Long Train Running (promo) Blue: Red Light Song (promo)
The third series of The Old Grey Whistle Test started on 25th September 1973, concluding on 9th July 1974 for a total of 43 episodes.
Country Gazette: Keep On Pushing / Tried So Hard / Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Down The Road Leo Kottke: The Driving Of The Year/ Nail Stealing Mick Jagger interview The Rolling Stones: Silver Train / Dancing With Mr. D (promos)
Brinsley Schwarz: Hooked on Love / Surrender to the Rhythm Gallagher & Lyle: Shine a Light / I Believe in You Golden Earring: Radar Love (film)
Unbroadcast
The forth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on 24th September 1974, finishing on 26ht Jul 1975 for a total of 42 episodes.
From Cambridge Folk Festival Arlo Guthrie: Gamblin’ Man / The Motor Cycle Song / Don't Think Twice It’s Alright Loudon Wainwright III: Guru / I Am The Way Richard Digance: Working Class Millionaire Planxty: The Blacksmith
Wally: Sunday Walking Lady / The Martyr The Rolling Stones: Ain't Too Proud To Beg (film) Keith Richards: interview
Bob Harris introduces a concert by superstar Elton John, recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon. White Christmas / Grimsby (Unbroadcast) / Rocket Man / Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Daniel / Grey Seal / Bennie & the Jets / Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds / I Saw Her Standing There / Don’t Let the Sun go Down on Me / Honky Cat / Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting / Crocodile Rock / The Bitch is Back / Your Song
Can you Follow / Morning Story / Keep it Down / Pieces of Mind / One / Spirit (instrumental) / Without a Word / Smiles and Grins
Yes at QPR Long Distance Runaround / The Clap / And you and I / Ritual / Runaround / Sweet Dreams
Bob Harris introduces Bonnie Raitt in a special concert performance for the Old Grey Whistle Test from 1976.
Bob Harris introduces Ralph McTell in concert at the BBC Television Theatre in London's Shepherds Bush in 1976.
The Old Grey Whistle Test presents Rod's Christmas Concert recorded on 1976-12-15 featuring The Rod Stewart Group performing on stage at Olympia, London. Tonight’s the Night / The Wild Side of Life / This Old Heart of Mine / Sweet Little Rock ’n’ Roller / I Don’t Want to Talk About It / The Killing of Georgie / Maggie May / Get Back / Losing You / Sailing
The seventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 20th September 1977, concluding on 20th Jun 1987 and containing 39 episodes.
Rolling Stones in concert at Les Abbatoirs recorded for French TV Honky Tonk Women / Hand of Fate / Fool to Cry / Hot Stuff / You Gotta Move / You Can’t Always Get What You Want / Baby (feat. Billy Preston) / Outta Space (feat. Billy Preston) / Jumping Jack Flash / Street Fighting Man / I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
Live from the TV Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush. This Time It’s for Real / Love on the Wrong Side of Town / She got Me Where She Wants Me / Little by Little / It Ain’t the Meat (It’s the Motion) / The Fever / We’re Having a Party (credits) / Stagger Lee
Tyla Gang: Don't Shift A Gear / The Young Lords Don McLean: Prime Time / Colour TV Blues Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: I Need To Know / American Girl / interview (Whiskey A GoGo, Los Angeles clip) Warsaw Pakt: Fast Eddie (film) Steve Hillage: Motivation Radio (live in Germany)
Bob Harris introduces the Kinks in concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London. Sleepwalker / Life on the Road / Well Respected Man / Death of a Clown / Sunny Afternoon / Waterloo Sunset / All Day and All of the Night / Slum Kids / Celluloid Heroes / Get back in the Line / Schoolboys in Disgrace / Lola / Alcohol / Skin & Bone / Father Christmas / You Really Got Me
(Originally intended for 31st December)
May you Never / Small Hours / Certain Surprise / Couldn’t Love You More / Big Muff / Bless the Weather (credits) Inside out / Spencer and the Rover
Dickey Betts in concert at the TV Theatre Shepherds Bush. Leaving me Again / Back on the Road / Good Time Feeling / Jessica / Ramblin’ Man / Southbound (credits)
Billy Joel and his band performing live on the British rock programme “The Old Grey Whistle Test” in 1978. Miami 2017 / Movin’ Out / New York State of Mind / Entertainer / She’s Always a Woman to Me / Root Beer Rag / Just the Way You Are / Only the Good Die Young (Credits)
Graham Parker & The Rumour live at the BBC. Stick to me (Take 1) / Stick to me (Take 2) / Problem Child / Back Door Love / Thunder and Rain / Turned up Too Late / Fools Gold / Saturday Night is Dead / I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down / Don’t Ask Me Questions / Soul Shoes
"Sultans Of Swing"
The Jam • Billy Hunt " In The Street Today " " 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street "
Randy Newman in concert from TV Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush. Birmingham / Leave Your Hat On / Texas Girl at the Funeral of her Father / Short People / Simon Smith & the Amazing Dancing Bear / In Germany Before the War / Political Science / Rider in the Rain / I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today / Rednecks / Guilty / Sail Away / It’s Lonely at the Top
Bob Harris introduces Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert at the BBC Television Centre in London's Shepherd's Bush in 1978. Anything That’s Rock & Roll / Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It) / I Need to Know / Breakdown / Listen to Her Heart / You’re Gonna Get It / American Girl / Strangered in the Night / Shout
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
Repeat from 24th December 1976
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.
Johnny Winter in concert at TV Shepherds Bush Theatre, London. Hideaway / Messin’ with the Kid / Mississippi Blues / Walking by Myself / Rock n’ Roll
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
Bed & Breakfast Man / Night Boat To Cairo
Genesis in concert highlights at London’s Lyceum Ballroom 07/05/80. Behind the Lines / Duchess / Guideline / Medley: In the Cage/Slipperman solo / Afterglow / Dance on a Volcano / Los Endos
The tenth series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 7th October 1980, concluding on the 14th July with a total of 41 episodes.
Documentary-style film of the Police's tour of Japan, Hong Kong, India, Egypt and Greece in 1980. Anne Nightingale accompanies the band and interviews its members during the tour. Includes concert footage and behind-the-scenes sequences of the band. All I Want is to be Next to You / Bring on the Night / Message in a Bottle / Walking on the Moon / So Lonely / Visions of the Night / Can’t Stand Losing You / Roxanne / Truth Hits Everybody / Driven to Tears / Born in the fifties
Ian Dury & The Blockheads Live from the Dominion Theatre. Partial to your Abracadabra / Superman’s Big Sister / Yes & No (Paula) / Uncoolohol / Billericay Dickie / Delusions of Grandeur / Dance of the Crackpots / I Made Mary Cry / Wot a Waste / Hey, hey Take me Away / Manic depression (Jimi) / Oh Mr Peanut / Hit me with Your Rhythm Stick / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads / Sex & Drugs & Rock n’ Roll
The eleventh series of The Old Grey Whistle Test began on the 1st October 1981, concluding after 29 episodes on 10th June 1982.
5 hour finale
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