Talk:The Old Grey Whistle Test

List of bands
wouldn't it be nice to have a list of the bands who've been on OGWT and the dates or episodes or something? Amirman 14:02, 22 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Right off you go ..... 8) Candy 12:18, 23 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I found an episode list / guest list in transmission date order at the BFI website which might be of some use: http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/921 85.210.34.235 11:47, 24 January 2007 (UTC)


 * It's scanty but a start Candy 20:46, 24 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Great, thanks for that link. I've been looking for a link to the OGWT guest for ages. User:Chilkoot 02:24, 25 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Once in there the Search feature should make it a bit easier to find who you're after. Oh, and those of you in the UK, why not get in touch with the BBC to encourage them to repeat all or some of the episodes - on BBC4 for instance http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/. All that stuff in the archive we only see glimpses of! Quillfiller 15:22, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

OGWT can't be understood unless you know what an OGW is. This had to deal with the feat of getting mgmt to approve show content. Check your most accessible cockney resource. The etymology in the article is ridiculous, the link purportedly backing it up is broken.

Looking for the names of two hosts of the OGWT
I am considering a page on the Hot Band that originated as a backup band with Emmylou Harris. I found a great interview from the Old Grey Whistle Test, but need the names of the hosts from the show who were interviewed on the following BBC Four program. I have never put a page together and could also use some help if anyone feels any interest! Please see this clip I found on You Tube- [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvZackpkRRU Emmylou Harris - Gram's death and Hot Band formation] Can someone pinpoint the Old Grey Whistle Test hosts? I do need a little help here. --leahtwosaints 22:20, 3 December 2007 (UTC)


 * That YouTube link above is no longer availble Quillfiller (talk) 00:48, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

OGWT is running on Perfromance Channel
OGWT is running on Perfromance Channel (available on Sky in UK) with single artist programmes including Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Manhattan Transfer and Hall & Oates. I note that these are all US artists so it may have something to do with copyright. Royzee (talk) 17:07, 10 December 2007 (UTC)


 * After name-changes I think the Performance channel is now either Sky Arts 1 or 2 -currently Channels SKY 256 and SKY 257. Haven't seen any of these OGWT programmes on either of these since the 2007 post above.Though there are 10 min programmes with a reminiscing Bob Harris called Centre Stage that appears regularly on Sky Arts 1.Quillfiller (talk) 00:47, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

Dylan & Young
I was a great fan of TOGWT but like Jules Hollands show [which i also like] both have failed to get Dylan or Young to appear .I wonder why ? regards jimmy —Preceding unsigned comment added by Julyarchives (talk • contribs) 23:31, 14 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Have they tried? I think OGWT played a live film of "Rockin' in the Free World", but otherwise, never Dylan. Rodhull  andemu  23:37, 14 September 2010 (UTC)

John Peel
Given that DJ John Peel was the presenter of the BBC program Old Grey Whistle Test in the 70's why does he not warrant a mention on this page? I also notice that there is no mention of the program on his page and I sincerely hope that this is not an attempt to rewrite history in a very blatant way. Amdmelville (talk) 20:13, 8 January 2016 (UTC)


 * The reason Peel isn't listed might just be because he never was an OGWT presenter.Andrew G. Doe (talk) 07:57, 26 September 2017 (UTC)

John Peel originated The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC radio in the 1970's. To omit his name from the Wikipedia Page is to dishonour a man who introduced under-the-radar bands and genres to the music-loving public. Albastar (talk) 06:00, 19 February 2018 (UTC)


 * Please provide a citation so that this can be added - or of course you can add it yourselves, so long as you include a citation. Andy Mabbett ( Pigsonthewing ); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 11:08, 26 June 2018 (UTC)
 * The article clearly opens with the statement "... was a British television music show." There is currently no connection to any previous radio programme, whether that involved John Peel or not. Similarly the article on Peel makes no mention of OGTW. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:12, 26 June 2018 (UTC)

The meaning behind "The Old Grey Whistle Test" still needs to be explained...
Likning to Tin Pan Alley is worthless has "The Old Grey Whistle Test" is not even seen written in the article.

Haps it is code for Grey aliens/Archons/bowmen/starmen/archies/ the David Bowies of this world (and others) to test out out their singing abilities. When not warmongering, did the Grey eminence ever sing? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.0.183.116 (talk) 07:53, 16 September 2018 (UTC)


 * This https://televisionheaven.co.uk/reviews/the-old-grey-whistle-test is unsourced, but has this explanation:"The 'Old Greys' of the title were the doormen who worked for record companies in the 1920's. The 'test' being that executives would play them the latest compositions, and the ones they heard them whistling later on were the ones that would be sure-fire hits." 109.153.136.161 (talk) 17:03, 21 January 2022 (UTC)


 * This explanation appears in the lead section, sourced to: "Spencer Leigh, Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life, chapter 5 (Carmarthen: McNidder & Grace, 2015. ISBN 9780857160867". So I don't see any issue. Martinevans123 (talk) 19:02, 21 January 2022 (UTC)

Selected list of performers - YouTube clips
A number of artists' appearances are supported by YouTube clips created by private individuals. Are these all correctly licensed to avoid breach of copyright? There seems to be license information for the audio, i.e. the song. But does this also cover the video content, which surely would require a release statement by the BBC? Thanks. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:30, 28 February 2019 (UTC)
 * But I am far from an expert on the copyright status of YouTube content. Perhaps we could ask for advice from someone like User:Fram. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:16, 28 February 2019 (UTC)
 * Do you mean the external link to youtube which now gives as result "This account has been terminated because we received multiple third-party claims of copyright infringement regarding material the user posted."? I just checked the Lynyrd Skynyrd link, and that one at least seems to lack the necessary rights. Same goes for the Bowie one. I'll remove them all, please only readd ones where you are pretty sure that the actual copyright holder is behind the channel. Fram (talk) 13:22, 28 February 2019 (UTC)
 * I had not seen that one. I was also hoping for some engagement from the IP editor who has created this section. I must admit I was expecting as a source a list of guests published somewhere by the BBC or perhaps from a book discussing the series, not individual YouTube links (very nice to have though those might be). I was not keen to re-add any of them. Thank you for your swift intervention. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:33, 28 February 2019 (UTC)
 * No problem, thanks for asking. Fram (talk) 13:39, 28 February 2019 (UTC)

missing artists. I know a complete list is difficult but what about The Tubes 1977? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.105.0.82 (talk) 06:26, 2 March 2019 (UTC)
 * I can remember "White Punks On Dope" as if it were yesterday. Yes, it's posted at YT. But another likely copyvio. Martinevans123 (talk) 22:42, 2 March 2019 (UTC)

We need a source for what is there now. Ideally a book source. Meanwhile is this source reliable? Here's quite a useful start point:. but it is not considered "reliable". Martinevans123 (talk) 22:36, 2 March 2019 (UTC)

Also, what are the criteria for inclusion in this list? Is it meant to be comprehensive? Martinevans123 (talk) 22:42, 2 March 2019 (UTC)

Is it just performers who appeared live? Or also those on film? Does it exclude those who had tracks played under those weird 1930's film clips?? Whatever, the section should describe what the list is meant to contain. There might be some sources in the articles of the performers listed, and if so these should be copied across. Perhaps other editors have suggestions for sourcing, e.g. User:Ritchie333 perhaps? The list is growing rapidly and it might even get too big. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:49, 3 March 2019 (UTC)


 * Another possible source might be this 2-disk album, which is described as follows: "... it does not feature live performances from the show, it rounds up 38 album cuts and hits from artists that appeared on the show during the ’70s and early ‘80s." Martinevans123 (talk) 20:14, 4 March 2019 (UTC)


 * We've now got 132 entries and only 2 of these supported by a source. I'd strongly suggest to stop adding any more entries until the exiting entries can be sourced. Alternatively the whole section could be "commented out", so that it is not displayed, until we have enough (or at least some more) good sources. Thanks. Martinevans123 (talk) 16:18, 6 March 2019 (UTC)

I would get rid of all of the entries, as they seem to be an indiscriminate collection of information. Given 4-5 acts appeared on every episode of Whistle Test, a full list would be excessive and a list of what's "important" isn't really forthcoming. The few significant appearances, such as "Whispering Bob" calling the New York Dolls "mock rock", should be documented in the prose, with sources. As Whistle Test was a serious show, you're not going to get the piss-taking notoriety that you'd get on Top of the Pops which is documented in independent sources. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont)  21:29, 6 March 2019 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the clear advice. The main contributor(s) to this section, via a series of anon IPs, does not seem willing or able to engage is any discussion here. Any last comments before I delete the entire section? Thanks. Martinevans123 (talk) 21:59, 6 March 2019 (UTC)


 * None from me. Ritchie333 (talk) (cont)  23:35, 6 March 2019 (UTC)


 * Seconding that deleting this section is the right move. Even if they were all properly sourced it fails WP:INDISCRIMINATE. Popcornduff (talk) 14:02, 13 March 2019 (UTC)
 * You might want to look at this IP editor's other "interests". They seem to be wholly unaware of the purpose of Talk pages, but this doesn't stop them eagerly adding lots of "information" to this type of music show article. Martinevans123 (talk) 15:22, 13 March 2019 (UTC)

= What does 'commissioned' mean = Amazed to read this is from David Attenborough ! ! ! Probably my only hero decade after decade. What does it mean that Sir Attenborough 'commissiond' the show? Please state it on the main page, or reference to a definition. -- Tommy Barlow, Scot, UK, USA --> Sweden 2021.


 * His Daveness was Director of Programmes for the whole of BBC TV 1969-72 before he resigned to concentrate on the natural history Stuffs for which he’s best known. Mr Larrington (talk) 20:39, 31 January 2022 (UTC)