What night was The Old Grey Whistle Test on?
21 September 1971 first ever show broadcast on the late night Tuesday slot on BBC 2 10.55 pm. “In the studio, America and Lesley Duncan, with any guests who may appear.”
Who originally presented The Old Grey Whistle Test?
journalist Richard Williams
The first presenter of The Old Grey Whistle Test was rock journalist Richard Williams. Williams explained the title in the Radio Times: “before a new record is released a rough mix is played to the grey-haired doormen.
Did John Peel do The Old Grey Whistle Test?
I never did the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ but they won’t believe me. We don’t look anything alike. I’m about three stone heavier than you for a start’. We laughed and as always it felt good to me to have Peel-approval.
What did The Old Grey Whistle Test mean?
The name was derived from a Tin Pan Alley phrase. Whenever a new record was pressed up, it would be played to doormen. They were know as Old Greys, because they wore grey suits. If they could remember a song after one or two plays and whistle the tune, then the record was said to have passed The Old Grey Whistle Test.
When did The Old Grey Whistle Test finish?
February 23, 2018The Old Grey Whistle Test / Final episode date
Who replaced Bob Harris?
While Peel continued in his Radio One slot, Harris, wearied by incidents such as the one described above, left The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978, to be replaced by Annie Nightingale, the only other DJ of Peel’s generation who not only embraced the new wave, but continued evolving musically into the 21st Century; she …
What was The Old Grey Whistle Test named after?
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.
When did the old GREY Whistle Test finish?
What are John Peel Sessions?
The Peel Sessions were a feature of BBC Radio 1 shows hosted by the famous broadcaster John Peel. Around 4,000 sessions were recorded by over 2,000 artists in the period from 1967 until his passing in 2004. The sets usually consisted of four tracks pre-recorded at the BBC’s studios in Maida Vale, West London.
Where can I watch The Old Grey Whistle Test?
BBC Four – The Old Grey Whistle Test – Available now.
Who wrote Top of the Pops theme tune?
Steve Wright presents his first programme. 1981: The theme tune Whole Lotta Love is finally laid to rest as electro-pop becomes the genre of choice and a new theme tune, Yellow Pearl, written by Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott and Ultravox’s Midge Ure makes its debut.
Why was he called Whispering Bob Harris?
During this time he also presented BBC television’s The Old Grey Whistle Test, where his velvety voice and quiet delivery earned him his enduring nickname – Whispering Bob.
What was the last Peel session?
Last. Trencher were the last group to broadcast a session while Peel was alive in October 2004.
Are Peel Sessions live?
Peel Sessions are live music sessions recorded for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 show.
Who refused to mime on Top of the Pops?
Iron Maiden
In 1980, heavy metal band Iron Maiden played live on the show when they refused to mime to their single “Running Free”.
Who was the first black person on Top of the Pops?
‘” In 1991, aged 28, Dortie became famous overnight when he began presenting the BBC’s flagship entertainment programme.
Where is Bob Harris now?
Harris lives in Steventon, Oxfordshire.
Who did the most Peel Sessions?
The first track on the first album by Bauhaus, Double Dare, is taken from their Peel Session, as they felt unable to match the intensity of this version in a professional studio. The Fall famously recorded the highest number of Peel Sessions, turning in an incredible 24 separate sessions.
How many Peel Sessions were there?
Read More: 10 of the best John Peel Sessions
The late broadcaster, who passed away in 2004, recorded over 4000 live sessions by more than 2,000 artists on his legendary BBC Radio 1 show during his time at the station.
How many Peel Sessions are there?
4,000 sessions
The Peel Sessions were a feature of BBC Radio 1 shows hosted by the famous broadcaster John Peel. Around 4,000 sessions were recorded by over 2,000 artists in the period from 1967 until his passing in 2004. The sets usually consisted of four tracks pre-recorded at the BBC’s studios in Maida Vale, West London.
What year did they stop miming on Top of the Pops?
1966
Initially acts performing on the show would mime (lip-sync) to the commercially released record, but in 1966 after discussions with the Musicians’ Union, miming was banned.
Do they lip sync on Top of the Pops?
When this programme was created in 1964 its producers chose to have the performers lip sync, rather than sing, their songs. The British Broadcasting Corporation openly stated in its promotion of the show that the performers would lip sync rather than sing.
Why did they stop Top of the Pops?
But in 2006, after years of falling ratings, Top of the Pops was cancelled. As music and TV streaming fractured our collective viewing habits, the singles chart started to feel like an irrelevance and, therefore, so did TOTP.
What illness did Bob Harris have?
In May 2019 it was announced that Harris would take a break from his BBC Radio 2 presenting for a while, after suffering an aortic dissection (having undergone a tear to his aorta while walking 10 days previously). He returned to Radio 2 on 19 September 2019.
What was the first Peel session?
The first session was recorded by Tomorrow on 21 September 1967, and the last by Skimmer on 21 October 2004. After Skimmer’s session, three further sessions that had already been booked before Peel’s death were recorded: Bloc Party on 4 November, 65daysofstatic on 18 November and Sunn O))) on 9 December.