Long Ryders

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

Episode 7

Episode 8

Episode 9

Episode 10

Episode 11

Episode 12

85 Whistle Test 86

Meatloaf in concert

Joni Mitchell in concert

Bryan Ferry special

Episode 17

Episode 18

Episode 19

Episode 20

Stevie Wonder special

Episode 22

Episode 23

Episode 24

Episode 25

Episode 26

Episode 27

Episode 28

Episode 29

Big Country in concert

Rolling Stones

1985/6

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

1984/5

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.