The Old Grey Whistle Test
“Whispering” Bob Harris became synonymous with the landmark BBC television show, presenting from 1972 until December 1979.
“The early 1970’s was a golden moment for music. Some of the greatest artists of all time were putting out some of the greatest records of all time and I was right in the middle of it all, building my record collection and following my favourite bands as they played the vibrant London music scene.
According to Bob, 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. Any song they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.
I was just beginning my broadcasting career, taking all this new music onto Radio 1, presenting the ‘Sounds of the 70’s’ Monday evening music show, my dream job.
The television equivalent of that radio show was the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ and when I discovered the first series in 1971, I became an instant fan. Richard Williams was the presenter and the show featured a whole bunch of my favourite artists, from Curtis Mayfield and Jackson Browne to Alice Cooper, David Bowie and all the great bands I was seeing in the vibrant London clubs. ‘Whistle Test’ became a much-watch appointment for me late every Tuesday night.
It was as literally a life-changing moment. For the next seven years Mike and I formed a friendship and working brotherhood that took us to the heart of rock ‘n’ roll. It was way before the advent of multi-channel TV, digital broadcasting and the internet. ‘Whistle Test’ was unique and ground-breaking, an album music magazine programme, broadcast live on BBC 2 forty- five weeks of the year.
The show grew from a number of programmes from BBC producer Mike Appleton including Late Night Line-Up, Colour Me Pop and Disco 2, nurtured by the loose and creative atmosphere that prevailed at BBC2 at the time.
The mix was fabulous. We featured unique live studio sessions, interviews, location reports and concerts and made regular trips across the Atlantic to the cradle of rock ‘n’ roll – Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans and New York - to make films and capture performances from some of the greatest rock stars in the world. I was living and loving a rock star lifestyle.
This section of the site features some of those moments - photographs, scripts, running orders and whatever else I come across in my OGWT memory boxes and with the assistance of 3B Digital, I’ll be constantly adding to this archive so keep checking back.
Come with me backstage to explore one of the most exciting musical decades ever.”
Bob Harris, September 2020
Rare signed playlists from the original show recordings are available to buy:
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