Old Grey Whistle Test

The old grey whistle test initially started in the early seventies and ran until it's demise in 1987. The programme was on BBC2 and was on late to attract the attention of the more serious rockers in the country.

The setting was in a small room to give that more ambient feel. The programme was presented by DJ Bob Harris or Whispering Bob due to his quiet voice and laid back style. He left the programme in 1978 as the programme was falling behind the times and relying on nostalgia and possibly it's lack of recognition of Punk and New Wave.

Annie Nightingale took over the anchor role to make the programme contemporary, she was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and is currently the longest serving DJ with over 40 years service. She helped the programme embrace new styles such as Punk and New Wave. She was also famed for the first DJ on Radio to play music from CD's.

Also other presenters came on the scene with Andy Kershaw, Dave Ellen, Dave Hepworth and Richard Skinner joining the ranks, All of them had connections with Radio 1 and Hepworth and Ellen were noted writers for music magazines such as NME, Sounds and Smash Hits. Those four also took the helm for the 1985 Live Aid concert shown on BBC for the greatest live show ever.

The programme moved to a mid evening slot in 1983 and the title was shortened to whistle Test and the programme finished on a live broadcast on New Years Eve 1987 with live sets by The Eagles and Meatloaf.

The programme did introduce a lot of acts to the UK audience where other programmes didn't go. We saw the first appearances of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Judas Priest, Billy Joel, Heart and also US punk Band New York Dolls who Bob Harris panned as 'mock rock'.

Following the Dolls appearance we then were introduced to the likes of the Adverts, Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Ramones, The Jam and the Clash. The alternative scene was also blossoming and the whistle test introduced from America REM and also Manchester's The Smiths. It also introduced the UK audience to the Glam Metal scene but by the time that was running the programme was pulled by the BBC and the Whistle Test was no more.

The show did become the blueprint for many other shows that followed with the live music feel but old father time called on the Whistle test and all we have now is memories.