TV The Old Grey Whistle Test - Season 12 Episode 1 : Simple Minds / Hot Club The Old Grey Whistle Test - Season 12 Episode 1 : Simple Minds / Hot Club 7.5/10 by 2 users 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. Details Casts Posters Images Title The Old Grey Whistle Test - Season 12 Episode 1 : Simple Minds / Hot Club Alternative Titles First Air Date 1971-09-21 Last Air Date 1987-04-22 Number of Episodes 558 Number of Seasons 16 Genres , Networks BBC Two, Casts Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale Plot Keywords , Bob Harris Annie Nightingale Episodes List The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 1 Simple Minds / Hot Club Simple Minds / Hot Club 1982-09-17 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 2 Episode 2 Episode 2 1982-09-24 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 3 Episode 3 Episode 3 1982-10-01 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 4 Episode 4 Episode 4 1982-10-08 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 5 Episode 5 Episode 5 1982-10-15 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 6 Episode 6 Episode 6 1982-10-22 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 7 Episode 7 Episode 7 1982-10-30 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 8 Episode 8 Episode 8 1982-11-05 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 9 Episode 9 Episode 9 1982-11-12 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 10 Episode 10 Episode 10 1982-11-19 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 11 Elton John in concert Elton John in concert 1982-12-24 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 12 Pick of the Year Pick of the Year 1982-12-31 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 13 Episode 13 Episode 13 1983-04-08 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 14 Episode 14 Episode 14 1983-04-15 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 15 Episode 15 Episode 15 1983-04-22 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 16 Spandau Ballet Spandau Ballet 1983-04-29 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 17 Episode 17 Episode 17 1983-05-06 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 18 Episode 18 Episode 18 1983-05-13 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 19 Episode 19 Episode 19 1983-05-20 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 20 Waterboys / Eurythmics Waterboys / Eurythmics 1983-05-27 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 21 Roman Holliday Roman Holliday 1983-06-03 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... The Old Grey Whistle Test Season 12 :Episode 22 Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell 1983-06-19 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...