| The Old Grey Whistle Test | |
|---|---|
 One of 1970s opening titles | |
| Also known as | Whistle Test (1983–88) |
| Created by | Rowan Ayers Mike Appleton |
| Presented by | Richard Williams Ian Whitcomb Bob Harris Annie Nightingale Andy Kershaw David Hepworth Mark Ellen Richard Skinner Ro Newton |
| Opening theme | "Stone Fox Chase" –Area Code 615 (1971–83) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Mike Appleton |
| Running time | 40–60 minutes |
| Production company | BBC Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC2 (1971–88) BBC Four (One-off special, 2018) |
| Release | 21 September 1971 (1971-09-21) – 1 January 1988 (1988-01-01) |
The Old Grey Whistle Test (sometimes abbreviated toWhistle Test orOGWT) is a British former television music show. The show was devised by BBC producerRowan Ayers, commissioned byDavid Attenborough[1] and aired onBBC2 from 1971 to 1988. It took over the BBC2 late-night slot fromDisco 2, which ran between September 1970 and July 1971, while continuing to feature non-chart music. The original producer, involved in an executive capacity throughout[2] the show's entire history, wasMichael Appleton.
According to presenterBob Harris, the programme derived its name from aTin 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 the doormen could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.[3]
On 23 February 2018, a one-off live three-hour special ofThe Old Grey Whistle Test was broadcast onBBC Four, hosted by Harris to mark 30 years since the final episode had been broadcast.[4]
Launched onBBC2, the show focused on albums, rather than chart hits covered onBBC1 byTop of the Pops. It was originally produced in a studio atBBC Television Centre in westLondon known as "Pres B", which had been originally designed for shooting weather forecasts andin-vision continuity.[5][6] The studio was only 32 by 22 feet (10 m × 7 m).[5] Due to the lack of technology that accommodated live performances, bandsmimed to tracks in early episodes.[6]
The series' opening titles theme was an animation of a male figure made up of stars (known as the 'Star Kicker') dancing. The programme's title music, with itsharmonica theme, was a track called Stone Fox Chase by aNashville band,Area Code 615.
The first host wasRichard Williams, features editor ofMelody Maker, the music weekly. From 1972 the programme was presented by disc jockeyBob Harris (nicknamed ‘Whispering Bob Harris’ because of his quiet voice and laid-back style). He later became notorious among the younger generation for distancing himself on air fromRoxy Music's first performance on the show and calling theNew York Dolls "mock rock"[7][8] and leftOGWT in 1978.
In the programme's early days, before the advent of themusic video, tracks that could not be performed live by musicians were accompanied by old film footage, edited especially for the programme by film collector and archivistPhilip Jenkinson.
After Harris's departureAnnie Nightingale took over as host. In December 1980 Nightingale presented a special edition immediately after themurder ofJohn Lennon (who had appeared on the show in 1975). This particular episode consisted almost entirely of interviews with various people about Lennon's life and career.[9]
Following the departure of Nightingale in 1982,Mark Ellen andDavid Hepworth were the regular presenters.[10]
For the series beginning in January 1984 the title was abridged toWhistle Test, with a new logo and set design. More significant was a full revamp of the series in October 1984, where the programme was moved to a live mid-evening slot on BBC2. A new title sequence, theme music (byDave Stewart) and set design was introduced, and the show included the new Top 30 chart rundown, telephone video vote, and live performances across the country.[11] Alongside Hepworth and Ellen,Richard Skinner andAndy Kershaw joined the series.[12] The same four presenters co-presented the BBC's television coverage ofLive Aid in 1985. Ro Newton joined as presenter in October 1985.
Initially the new series performed well in its new timeslot. However, the BBC's new soap operaEastEnders, was scheduled directly against Whistle Test, and this resulted in a drop in viewership.[13]
The series was cancelled in early 1987 byJanet Street-Porter, who had been appointed head of Youth Programmes at the BBC.[14] The series ended with a live New Year's Eve special, hosted by Bob Harris, broadcast through to the early hours of New Year's Day 1988: material included "Hotel California" byEagles, live from 1977, and "Bat Out of Hell" byMeat Loaf.
Owing to technical issues during the show's early years and the need to ensure performances were controlled, the bands often recorded the instrumental tracks the day before. The vocals were then performed live "99 percent" of the time. After 1973 the show changed to an entirely live format.[15]
On 23 February 2018 the BBC broadcast a special programme, hosted by Bob Harris, to mark 30 years since the series was last broadcast. This live studio show featured music, special guests and rare archive footage. It featured live performances fromGary Numan,Kiki Dee,Peter Frampton,Wildwood Kin,Richard Thompson,Albert Lee andRobert Vincent.[16]
Harris chatted toWhistle Test alumni, including Gary Numan,Dave Stewart,Joan Armatrading,Ian Anderson,Toyah Willcox,Dennis Locorriere,Chris Difford and Kiki Dee, as well as fanDanny Baker.[16]
Gary Numan's performances on the show caused his latest album,Savage (Songs from a Broken World), to re-enter the charts the following week at number 60.[17]
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