Violent Femmes

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

Episode 7

Episode 8

Lou Reed

Bruce Springsteen in concert

Big Country in concert

Nik Kershaw in concert

Old Grey Pick of the Year

Episode 14

Episode 15

Episode 16

Episode 17

Episode 18

Episode 19

Episode 20

Episode 21

Episode 22

Episode 23

Episode 24

Episode 25

Prince in concert

Episode 27

Mick Jagger extended special

Episode 29

Episode 30

Episode 31

Episode 32

Episode 33

Episode 34

Episode 35

Episode 36

Episode 37

Episode 38

1984/5

That Was The Whistle Test That Was

The Old Grey Whistle Test

BBC Two

1971/2

1972/3

1973/4

1974/5

1975/6

1976/7

1977/8

1978/9

1979/80

1980/81

1981/2

1982/3

1983/4

1985/6

1986/7

Specials

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.