Bob Harris: still a champion of the music - Telegraph Rock and Pop Features Bob Harris: still a champion of the music The Old Grey Whistle Test is back and presenter Bob Harris tells Neil McCormick that it still sounds great – even on the radio . Bob Harris: I look at the singles charts and for the first time ever I haven't got any interest in them Photo: REX FEATURES Follow Music fans of a certain vintage will have been delighted to learn that The Old Grey Whistle Test, the BBC’s seminal rock programme, is to be revived for its 40th anniversary later this year. Curiously, however, the 16-part series will be broadcast on Radio 2. “I grant that radio might seem a funny place for a television programme,” concedes Bob Harris, the veteran presenter, “but even when you disconnect the video from the audio, you’ve got this incredible archive of amazing performances that really have to be heard to be believed.

“The sound quality is fantastic and it’s striking how many of the great names of that time, the likes of Elton John, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones and so many huge talents, still provide the spine of playlists worldwide that we hear on radio to this day.” It does mean, of course, that people will be able to appreciate the show’s eclectic variety of ’70s and ’80s music without having to cope with the fashions of the day, when jackets were often louder than the bands. At 65, Harris himself certainly looks different, having long since cut his hippy hair and shaved off his beard. “People say I look younger now than I did then,” he says with a laugh. He does appear fit and strong after a recent bout with prostate cancer, although the bags beneath his eyes and wrinkles on his pate might give the game away.

Related Articles The Horrors: 'We’ve blown up stuff’ 10 Jul 2011 The deep, slightly husky, resonantly intimate voice that earned him the nickname “Whispering Bob” remains exactly the same, which, allied with his huge enthusiasm for music, has helped keep him a continued and much-loved presence on radio, where he presents Americana shows on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. Reviewing Whistle Test footage, Harris was struck by just how happy his younger self had been in the presenting role. “It makes me laugh, because I am so obviously in this lovely sort of bewildered enjoyment at being in the middle of all this music, just absolutely loving it.” In the recent honours list, Harris was made an OBE for services to broadcasting. “I am genuinely thrilled.

I’m still in the process of trying to connect it with me, because I have a feeling of not being worthy in a way, because I’ve got this for doing something I absolutely love.” Despite more than 40 years in broadcasting, for many Harris will always be associated with the decade when he was effectively the BBC’s face of rock music, presenting Whistle Test from 1972 until 1978 (although the programme continued with other presenters until 1987). Yet Harris considers himself a child of the Sixties, “because I moved to London in ’66, I was 20 years old and the counter culture was so vigorous. It was an amazing scene to parachute into.” Arriving from Northampton, Harris helped set up Time Out magazine as co-editor with Tony Elliot, and became friends with Bowie. He recounts taking the young singer-songwriter on a DJing gig at a medical college in east London in 1968. “He’d been in the studio recording Space Oddity and came along with the backing track on a cassette, which he plugged into a little Marshall amplifier and sat on the edge of the stage with his acoustic guitar.

This was a Saturday night student disco, I’d been playing Motown, Stax and the Stones, everybody had beers in their hands, it was absolutely going like a house on fire, David brought the night to a grinding halt. “People were booing, somebody threw a glass and poured beer all over him. I was so incensed, I stormed across the stage and said, 'You mark my words, one day you’ll remember this, he’s gonna be a star!’ Seeing him come through and appear on Whistle Test was fantastic. It made me so proud.” Harris says he has mixed feelings about Seventies music. “The early part of the decade was a relatively innocent time. Record companies hadn’t managed to contain this new musical expression and start churning it out like a sausage factory. But it became self indulgent and people began to take advantage of the creative freedom, spend their album advance on cocaine, hole up in a studio for months doing work you could have done in six days. “I went to see Yes in Madison Square Garden in 1974 and the drummer came down in a pod, stepping out into dry ice.

I recognised that we really did need punk rock to come and blast it all to bits.” Whistle Test, however, was deemed by many to be hostile to the new wave explosion. Harris claims his hands were tied because the BBC remit was to make an album-oriented show, and punk was a singles-driven genre. In March 1977 he was attacked in a bar by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, sustaining cuts and bruises, before being rescued (in what seems symbolic of the ’70s musical divide) by Procul Harum’s road crew. “It was like a pebble in the pool, and the ripples went out, and it made it difficult for me to stop off at a venue, see a band and hang out, because of the level of hostility I encountered. I was the symbol of everything they hated, and that was very difficult, because I could see where they were coming from.” In 1978, Harris stepped down from Whistle Test and he admits that it took time to re-establish his serious musical credentials.

He still considers himself primarily a champion of “new music”, although it is in the country and Americana genres “unashamedly influenced by old-time music, by which I mean bluegrass, road music, singer-songwriters and young blues artists”. Harris has eight children from four relationships and seems perversely delighted that he cannot understand the taste of his youngest daughter, Flo, 14. “I look at the singles charts and for the first time ever I haven’t got any interest in them, because there is nothing that I find remotely appealing to my own ear. To me it’s hopped into a new generation that just doesn’t have the same sense of music. It’s a really good thing, because who wants to be stuck in the centre of Sergeant Pepper for the rest of your life?” Recovery from cancer in 2007 has, he says, given him a greater sense of purpose. “You realise time is going by. I came out of treatment with as close to a clean bill of health as you can get, but you never get away from these things scot free. It’s a reminder that I’m 65 and I haven’t got a huge number of years ahead of me.

You want to get the most out of life while you’re living it, so that is my philosophy.” His affection for The Old Grey Whistle Test has increased with the passing of time. Cherished memories include spending time with John Lennon in New York and having the Bee Gees sing their Spirits Having Flown album to him when the studio mixing desk broke down. “Robin and I are still very good friends, and he recently presented me with a heritage award. I am now qualified to put a green plaque on a building — you only get a blue one after you die, so I’m in no hurry for that. I’d love to plonk it on the BBC building somewhere: Bob Harris Was Here!” Old Grey Whistle Test | Pop Culture Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Old Grey Whistle Test Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected.

The Old Grey Whistle Test (short Whistle Test or OGWT) is a former music programme of the BBC ; It ran from 21 september 1971 to 1 december 1987 and is today seen as a forerunner of Later with Jools Holland . Also took out the the 33rd place in a top 100 of all time by British television programs. Edit Old Grey Whistle Test paid particular attention to serious bands (so with little glitz and glamour) and let this occur in a bare studio (although there are later also on location was filmed). The first presenter, Melody Maker journalist Richard Williams, was replaced in 1972 by whispering Bob Harris known for its whisper voice, but also because he denounced the New York Dolls as mock rock (freely translated, neprock). The reason for the latter was that singer David Johansen commented on the rabbits teeth of Harris. In 1978 the presentation on Annie Nightingale took when the program was in danger of missing the connection with the punk generation.

Punk group The Adverts referred to by their action in Nightingale's first broadcast to open with the pronunciation "At last the 1978 show" (pun on the comedy series At Last the 1948 Show). In december 1980 Nightingale was charged with the difficult task to dedicate broadcast to the newly murdered John Lennon ; not much later she was replaced by Andy Kershaw (in turn), David Hepworth , Mark Ellen and Richard Skinner who also of the party were at Live Aid . In 1983 the program moved to the early evening and the title was shortened to Whistle Test. Despite all these rejuvenation cures the hippie-image remained standing and four years later the canvas with a new year's Eve broadcast full of archival footage. Whistle Test (TV Series 1971–1987) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Contemporary music show featuring live performances and interviews with an emphasis on album acts.

Stars: a list of 413 titles created 26 Oct 2011 a list of 174 titles created 16 Sep 2012 a list of 25 titles created 18 Oct 2012 a list of 548 titles created 22 Sep 2014 a list of 1408 titles created 09 Sep 2015 Search for " Whistle Test " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Title: Whistle Test (1971–1987) 8.3/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. September 1971 (UK) See more » Also Known As: Did You Know? Trivia The series was accused of being slow to catch on to the popularity of punk acts. Host Bob Harris was even physically attacked by Sid Vicious in March 1977 because of his perceived antipathy towards the genre. Harris admits he became "the symbol of everything they hated".

In 1978 Anne Nightingale took over from him because she was regarded as more receptive to the new music. See more » Quotes Performed by Area Code 615 (series theme tune) A unique collection of live song performances 24 April 2003 | by foxybyproxy (Long Beach, CA) – See all my reviews This collection of performances from the 70's to the 90's includes some classic songs by everyone from Randy Newman to the Damned. Classic footage of the New York Dolls, Captain Beefheart, Iggy Pop, the Ramones and others make this a must have for any music fan. It's monaural but the quality is still very good and most performances are live. 3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Old Grey Whistle Test: a classic returns - but to the radio | Television & radio | The Guardian Old Grey Whistle Test: a classic returns - but to the radio OGWT will mark its 40th anniversary by being revived on Radio 2. It is a shame it is not back on to TV The Old Grey Whistle Test ... back but not on the box.

Photograph: BBC Thursday 7 July 2011 10.56 EDT First published on Thursday 7 July 2011 10.56 EDT Share on Messenger Close Old Grey Whistle Test, the much missed music show for discerning rock fans, is returning to the BBC for a series of shows to mark its 40th anniversary next month. The revival is taking place on Radio 2 rather than a late night slot on BBC2, its home for 16 years before its cancellation in 1987. Original presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris will host the shows which will comprise a mix of archive and new performances, alongside interviews with artists who appeared in the original series. The fact that the revival is taking place on the radio instead of on TV is shame – it was after all a TV programme and wouldn't have made the impact it did in the 70s and 80s if it had been on the radio.

In the era before videos and stadium shows, Old Grey Whistle Test was the first place British music fans got to see overseas artists such as Bob Marley , Bruce Springsteen and Steely Dan, and gave the likes of David Bowie their first national exposure. The programmes format also allowed artists to perform whatever they wanted rather than just peddle their latest single. For some artists – such as the now influential Californian singer-songwriter Judee Sill and Scottish new wave band TV21 – it was their only appearance on British TV. In the BFI's list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes in 2000 , Old Grey Whistle Test came 33rd – a fitting position considering its focus on albums. Whereas other music shows were brash and dictated by chart positions, hair and dance routines, OGWT had a reverence towards artists that bordered on the creepy.

Although in later years it was presented by the more chummy Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, the era that is most fondly remembered and most commonly spoofed is Bob Harris's – most notably John Thomson's Jazz Club presenter Louis Balfour on The Fast Show but also by Richard Ayoade in Snuff Box – before he was replaced, in true punk rock year zero style, by Annie Nightingale in 1978. BBC3 are currently re-running every Top of the Pops from 1976 – which has become a weekly horror show of how terrible pop music was in the mid 70s. It's a shame they can't do the same for OGWT – although some may argue that rather than another repeated music show what we actually need is a new one. There is an impression that music fans are well served by the vast number of music TV stations available on digital TV but away from these video jukebox channels there is no magazine show that offers the performances, interviews, perspective and seriousness (not everything has to be whacky) of OGWT.

I'll listen to the Radio 2 shows and enjoy the nostalgia trip but I'll be wistful too that today's generation doesn't have a similarly chin-stroking music show of their own. But what do you think? Happy to see it back or should it remain in the vaults forever? Live Music Show - Old Grey Whistle Test Live Music Show ...They would play it to people they called the old greys [doormen in grey suits]. The ones that could remember and could whistle having heard it just once had passed the... Curated by Jason Forrest Live Music Show The Old Grey Whistle Test (usually abbreviated to Whistle Test or OGWT) was 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 ago.

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 ones they could remember and could whistle having heard it just once or twice had passed the old grey whistle test." History The show's focus on "serious" rock music rather than chart hits was emphasised by a lack of showbiz glitter: bands would often perform their songs in front of either the bare studio walls or plain wooden boards (actually the backs of set walls from other programmes filmed in the same studio). As with many BBC productions, this was (initially at least) as much a matter of money as of style; other late night shows of the time, having only 'minority' appeal, also had to be content with spartan sets. Another factor was that the programme was originally made in a studio known as "Pres B", which had been originally intended for in-vision continuity . The studio was only 32x22 [2] feet (a little under 10 x 7 metres) which left little room for a set once the cameras and band were in.

The series' opening titles consisted of an animation of a male figure (known as the 'Star Kicker') made up of stars dancing. The programme's title music, with its distinctive harmonica theme, was a track called "Stone Fox Chase" by a Nashville band, Area Code 615 (once played live on the show, in 1978, by Val Doonican and Charlie McCoy ). [3] The first host was Richard Williams , features editor of Melody Maker , the music weekly. From 1972, the programme was presented by DJ Bob Harris (nicknamed "Whispering Bob Harris", due to his quiet voice and "laid back" style). He later became notorious among the younger generation for calling the New York Dolls "mock rock" and left OGWT in 1978. Anne Nightingale took over as host in 1978 when it was felt the programme was behind the times in its failure to embrace punk. This was acknowledged when The Adverts opened Nightingale's first show, T. V.

Smith beginning with the words "At last the 1978 show" (a pun on the television comedy At Last the 1948 Show ) and a sigh of relief that the programme was finally contemporary. Annie Nightingale presenting Whistle Test c. 1980 In December 1980 Nightingale faced the daunting task of presenting the show in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of John Lennon (who had himself appeared on the show in 1975). This particular episode consisted almost entirely of interviews with various people about Lennon's life and career. Old Grey Whistle Test | Rock Peaks Old Grey Whistle Test Know a thing or two about this show? Want to help make this page better? Earn points and win prizes. Find out what's involved Track The Old Grey Whistle Test A partial episode guide can be found here . This appears to be an almost complete episode guide .

Order By: 5 days 18 hours ago Read the original article on Wikipedia Old Grey Whistle Test on Wikipedia The Old Grey Whistle Test Starkicker logo Rowan Ayers Presented by Richard Williams, Ian Whitcomb, Bob Harris, Anne Nightingale, Andy Kershaw, David Hepworth, Mark Ellen, Richard Skinner and Ro Newton Country of origin Original release 21 September 1971 – 1 January 1988 The Old Grey Whistle Test (usually abbreviated to Whistle Test or OGWT) was a British television music show. It was commissioned by David Attenborough[1] and aired on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from Disco 2, which ran between September 1970 and July 1971, while continuing to feature non-chart music. The show was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. The original producer, involved in an executive capacity throughout[2] the show's entire history, was Michael Appleton. 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. Any song they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.[3] Contents 7 External links History The show's focus on "serious" rock music, rather than chart hits covered on BBC1 by Top of the Pops, was emphasised by a lack of showbiz glitter: bands would often perform their songs in front of either the bare studio walls or plain wooden boards (actually the backs of set walls from other programmes filmed in the same studio). As with many BBC productions, this was (initially at least) as much a matter of money as of style; other late night shows of the time, having only 'minority' appeal, also had to be content with spartan sets. Another factor was that the programme was originally produced in a studio at BBC Television Centre in west London known as "Pres B", which had been originally designed for shooting little more than in-vision continuity.

The studio was only 32 by 22 feet (10 m × 7 m)[4] which left little room for a set once the cameras and band were in. The original opening credits were played over a naked dancing woman painted in green to Santana's Jingo. When Richard Williams was replaced by 'Whispering' Bob Harris, the series' opening titles theme was changed to the now more famous animation of a male figure made up of stars (known as the 'Star Kicker') dancing. The programme's title music, with its harmonica theme, was a track called "Stone Fox Chase" by a Nashville band, Area Code 615. The first host was Richard Williams, features editor of Melody Maker, the music weekly. From 1972, the programme was presented by disc jockey Bob Harris (nicknamed "Whispering Bob Harris", because of his quiet voice and "laid back" style). He later became notorious among the younger generation for calling the New York Dolls "mock rock"[5] and left OGWT in 1978. After Harris's departure, Anne Nightingale took over as host.

In December 1980, Nightingale presented the show in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of John Lennon (who had himself appeared on the show in 1975). This particular episode consisted almost entirely of interviews with various people about Lennon's life and career. Following the departure of Nightingale in 1982, Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Richard Skinner also took turns as presenters. In 1983, the programme was moved to a live mid-evening slot. The title was abridged to Whistle Test and the title credits and music were changed. Andy Kershaw joined the series as a presenter in 1984.[6] The same four presenters co-presented the BBC's television coverage of Live Aid in 1985.

The series was cancelled in the spring of 1987 by Janet Street-Porter, who had been appointed head of Youth Programmes at the BBC.[7] The series ended with a live New Year's Eve special broadcast through to the early hours of New Year's Day 1988; material included "Hotel California" by The Eagles, live from 1977, and "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf. The executive producer of The Old Grey Whistle Test was Mike Appleton. Tom Corcoran (died October 2014), Derek Burbidge and Kate Humphreys directed, including the series location inserts. The audio was always of prime importance. Gregg Baily was the recordist for the show on location. Many viewers assumed the bands were always playing live. However, 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.

However, after 1973, the show changed to an entirely live format.[8] Other directors and camera operators were Martin Pitts in the USA, and for England, John Metcalfe and Tim Pope, John Burrowes in the UK along with David Croft.[citation needed] Location shoots all over the world were an essential part of the programme. Influence The programme hosted many seminal acts of the era, including the first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as then little-known acts of whom any early footage is now considered precious, such as Billy Joel, Judas Priest (with a long haired Rob Halford), Wishbone Ash, Judee Sill, Heart, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Whistle Test was also the British television debut of the American glam punk band New York Dolls. Although host Bob Harris derided the group as "mock rock," comparing them unfavourably to The Rolling Stones, their performance influenced the following punk rock scene such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash as well as alternative bands like R.E.M. and The Smiths and the glam metal scene of the 1980s.

The show become the template for many successive "serious" British music programmes, such as The Tube, Later with Jools Holland and From the Basement. In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, The Old Grey Whistle Test was placed 33rd. Parodies A parody of the show as part of Rutland Weekend Television in 1975, featuring Eric Idle as Harris, is the first known mention of fictional band, Toad The Wet Sprocket – a later reference on a Monty Python album gave rise to the band of the same name. The parody also featured "all-dead" musician Stan Fitch, whose silent, motionless performance was treated with quick zooms, closeups, and other visual effects typical of shows like Whistle Test. The show was parodied on an episode of The Benny Hill Show, originally aired on 24 September 1975, being called "Old Grey Whistle Tester". The host was parodied by Benny Hill.[9] The show's title was parodied in the comedy series Father Ted, in the episode "The Old Grey Whistle Theft".

The series was also parodied on The Fast Show, with Jazz Club, hosted by the eccentric (but quiet) Louis Balfour (a play on Bob Harris).[10][11] In 2006, the series was parodied in the sketch comedy show Snuff Box. The host was played by Richard Ayoade. The Jon Holmes radio show on BBC Radio 6 Music has a feature called the Old Gay Whistle Test, a parody where a homosexual pensioner whistles a tune for the listeners to guess. DVD series In 2006, the BBC released three DVDs. The first concentrated on the early and mid 1970s. The second DVD completed the timeline, as it dealt with the late 1970s and 1980s. The third DVD, however, covered the entire history. The DVDs also featured spoken intros by the presenters introducing the songs. Billy Joel included his 1978 performance on the show as part of The Stranger 30th Anniversary Edition DVD.

Archive status Out of an original total of 445 episodes, 16 episodes are missing, a further 54 are incomplete and one exists on a format inferior to the original. See also Alright Now, a short-lived rock music television series made by Tyne Tees Television for ITV in 1979–1980. Revolver, a British music TV series on ITV that ran for one series only, of eight episodes, in 1978 that featured Punk and New Wave acts. Sounds of the Seventies, a 1970s late night BBC radio show which concentrated on albums rather than singles, and rock rather than pop. Top of the Pops, a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. References ^ "Sir David Attenborough: 'This awful summer?". The Independent, UK broadsheet newspaper. ^ Credits of the programme ^ Spencer Leigh, Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life, chapter 5 (Carmarthen: McNidder & Grace, 2015.

ISBN 9780857160867). ^ "TV Studio History". "TV Studio History". Retrieved 6 March 2010. ^ Stevie Chick (13 June 2011). "The New York Dolls play 'mock rock' on British TV". The Guardian. ^ Duerden, Nick (29 September 2012). "Andy Kershaw: The DJ who came back from the wars". The Indepedent. Retrieved 7 November 2016. ^ Kershaw, Andy (2012). No Off Switch. Virgin. p. 213. ISBN 978-0415892131. ^ Popular music and television in Britain. "Popular music and television in Britain". Retrieved 17 March 2012. ^ "BFI Film & TV Database: The Benny Hill Show[24/09/75]". ^ "Bob Harris - Whispering Campaigner". Retrieved 27 October 2009. ^ "Bob's On The Beat (From Oxford Mail)". Retrieved 27 October 2009.

External links Old Grey Whistle Test | Duran Duran Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Old Grey Whistle Test BBC 2 UK TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test (usually abbreviated to Whistle Test or OGWT) was an influential BBC2 television (UK) 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 . History Edit The show's focus on "serious" rock music rather than chart hits was emphasised by a lack of showbiz glitter: bands would often perform their songs in front of either the bare studio walls or plain wooden boards (actually the backs of set walls from other programmes filmed in the same studio). As with many BBC productions, this was (initially at least) as much a matter of money as of style; other late night shows of the time, having only 'minority' appeal, also had to be content with spartan sets.

Another factor was that the programme was originally made in a studio known as "Pres B", which had been originally intended for in-vision continuity . The studio was only 32x22 feet (a little under 10 x 7 metres) which left little room for a set once the cameras and band were in. The series' opening titles consisted of an animation of a male figure (known as the 'Star Kicker') made up of stars dancing. The programme's title music, with its distinctive harmonica theme, was a track called "Stone Fox Chase" by a Nashville band, Area Code 615 (once played live on the show, in 1978, by Val Doonican and Charlie McCoy ). The first host was Richard Williams , features editor of Melody Maker , the music weekly. From 1972, the programme was presented by DJ Bob Harris (nicknamed "Whispering Bob Harris", due to his quiet voice and "laid back" style). He later became notorious among the younger generation for calling the New York Dolls "mock rock" and left OGWT in 1978.

Anne Nightingale took over as host in 1978 when it was felt the programme was behind the times in its failure to embrace punk. This was acknowledged when The Adverts opened Nightingale's first show, T. V. Smith beginning with the words "At last the 1978 show" (a pun on the television comedy At Last the 1948 Show ) and a sigh of relief that the programme was finally contemporary.In December 1980 Nightingale faced the daunting task of presenting the show in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of John Lennon (who had himself appeared on the show in 1975). This particular episode consisted almost entirely of interviews with various people about Lennon's life and career. In the early 1980s, Andy Kershaw , David Hepworth , Mark Ellen and Richard Skinner also took turns as presenters. When a Japanese group called The Sadistic Mika Band appeared, a stagehand arranged for the name of the programme title (usually hung on the back wall) to be spelled as The Old Gley Whistle Test. In 1983, the programme was moved to a live mid-evening slot.

The title was abridged to Whistle Test and the title credits and music were changed. The final show was broadcast at the end of 1987; material included " Hotel California " by The Eagles , live from 1977, and " Bat out of Hell " by Meat Loaf . The executive producer of the The Old Grey Whistle Test was Mike Appleton. Derek Burbidge and Kate Humphreys directed and videoed many of the artists. The audio was always of prime importance. Gregg Baily was the recordist for the show on location. Other directors and camera operators were Martin Pitts in the USA, and for England, John Metcalfe and Tim Pope and many others. Location shoots all over the world were an essential part of the programme. Influence Edit The programme hosted many seminal acts of the era, including the first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as then little-known acts of whom any early footage is now considered precious, such as Billy Joel , Judee Sill , Heart and Lynyrd Skynyrd .

Although many felt that the show had run its course by the time it went off the air, it had become the template for many successive "serious" British music programmes, such as The Tube , Later with Jools Holland and From the Basement In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000 , voted for by industry professionals, The Old Grey Whistle Test was placed 33rd. A parody of the show as part of Rutland Weekend Television in 1975, featuring Eric Idle as Harris, is the first known mention of fictional band, Toad The Wet Sprocket - a later reference on a Monty Python album gave rise to the band of the same name. The show's title was parodied in the comedy series Father Ted , in the episode " The Old Grey Whistle Theft ". The series was also parodied on The Fast Show , with Jazz Club, hosted by the eccentric (but quiet) Louis Balfour (a play on Bob Harris). In 2006, the series was parodied in the sketch comedy show Snuff Box . The host was played by Richard Ayoade .

The BBC has released three DVD compilations from the show. TV Shows We Used To Watch - BBC The Old Grey Whistle Test | Flickr Paul Townsend By: Paul Townsend TV Shows We Used To Watch - BBC The Old Grey Whistle Test 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. How did the show get it's odd name? Well, a number of years before the show started (and in the early days of the recording industry), legend has it that record company executives in London's Denmark Street would test the acceptability of their new tunes by getting a rather old doorman (dressed in a grey uniform, or, as also stated, with grey hair) to whistle them. If he could whistle a tune back after hearing it just once, it would pass 'the old grey whistle test'. The Old Grey Whistle Test (usually abbreviated to Whistle Test or OGWT) was 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.

The show's focus on "serious" rock music rather than chart hits was emphasised by a lack of showbiz glitter: bands would often perform their songs in front of either the bare studio walls or plain wooden boards (actually the backs of set walls from other programmes filmed in the same studio). As with many BBC productions, this was (initially at least) as much a matter of money as of style; other late night shows of the time, having only 'minority' appeal, also had to be content with spartan sets. Another factor was that the programme was originally made in a studio known as "Pres B", which had been originally intended for in-vision continuity. The studio was only 32x22 feet (a little under 10 x 7 metres) which left little room for a set once the cameras and band were in. The series' opening titles consisted of an animation of a male figure (known as the 'Star Kicker') made up of stars dancing.

The programme's title music, with its distinctive harmonica theme, was a track called "Stone Fox Chase" by a Nashville band, Area Code 615 (once played live on the show, in 1978, by Val Doonican and Charlie McCoy). The first host was Richard Williams, features editor of Melody Maker, the music weekly. From 1972, the programme was presented by DJ Bob Harris (nicknamed "Whispering Bob Harris", due to his quiet voice and "laid back" style). He later became notorious among the younger generation for calling the New York Dolls "mock rock" and left OGWT in 1978. Anne Nightingale took over as host in 1978 when it was felt the programme was behind the times in its failure to embrace punk. This was acknowledged when The Adverts opened Nightingale's first show, T. V. Smith beginning with the words "At last the 1978 show" (a pun on the television comedy At Last the 1948 Show) and a sigh of relief that the programme was finally contemporary.

In December 1980 Nightingale faced the daunting task of presenting the show in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of John Lennon (who had himself appeared on the show in 1975). This particular episode consisted almost entirely of interviews with various people about Lennon's life and career. In the early 1980s, Andy Kershaw, David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and Richard Skinner also took turns as presenters. When a Japanese group called The Sadistic Mika Band appeared, a stagehand arranged for the name of the programme title (usually hung on the back wall) to be spelled as The Old Gley Whistle Test. In 1983, the programme was moved to a live mid-evening slot. The title was abridged to Whistle Test and the title credits and music were changed. The final show was broadcast at the end of 1987; material included "Hotel California" by The Eagles, live from 1977, and "Bat out of Hell" by Meat Loaf. The executive producer of The Old Grey Whistle Test was Mike Appleton. Derek Burbidge and Kate Humphreys directed and videoed many of the artists.

The audio was always of prime importance. Gregg Baily was the recordist for the show on location. Although many assumed the bands were playing live, due to technical issues and the need to ensure performances were controlled, the bands often recorded the performance on the day of shooting prior to taping, and then mimed to this "live" track. Other directors and camera operators were Martin Pitts in the USA, and for England, John Metcalfe and Tim Pope and many others. Location shoots all over the world were an essential part of the programme. The programme hosted many seminal acts of the era, including the first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as then little-known acts of whom any early footage is now considered precious, such as Billy Joel, Judas Priest with a long haired Rob Halford, Judee Sill, Heart and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Although many felt that the show had run its course by the time it went off the air, it had become the template for many successive "serious" British music programmes, such as The Tube, Later with Jools Holland and From the Basement In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, The Old Grey Whistle Test was placed 33rd. A parody of the show as part of Rutland Weekend Television in 1975, featuring Eric Idle as Harris, is the first known mention of fictional band, Toad The Wet Sprocket - a later reference on a Monty Python album gave rise to the band of the same name. The parody also featured "all-dead" musician Stan Fitch, whose silent, motionless performance was treated with quick zooms, closeups, and other visual effects typical of shows like Whistle Test. The show's title was parodied in the comedy series Father Ted, in the episode "The Old Grey Whistle Theft".

The series was also parodied on The Fast Show, with Jazz Club, hosted by the eccentric (but quiet) Louis Balfour (a play on Bob Harris). In 2006, the series was parodied in the sketch comedy show Snuff Box. The host was played by Richard Ayoade. The BBC has released three DVD compilations from the show. It’s sad – really, really sad – that there is no obvious equivalent to The Old Grey Whistle Test on television today. But perhaps a contemporary take on the show could yet present itself. Fingers crossed, or else what will this generation’s children rely upon for their televised musical education? Have you watched any of the freely broadcast music channels lately? Terrifying. Done

Question: Who was the presenter of the UK television series ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ from 1972 to 1978?
Answer: Bob Harris