For those of us of a certain age, which is to say very old, the one-off return of the Old Grey Whistle Test (OGWT) on BBC4 last night brought back some memories. More than that, it was a reminder that the OGWT shaped and developed my musical tastes which have endured through to today.
The first host was Richard Williams who was on the show for a year before Whispering Bob Harris took over. They looked and indeed were exactly right for the show. They were above all serious musicos, with a deep knowledge, understanding and love of music. Through them, I discovered Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, Montrose, Little Feat, Lynyrd Skynyrd and so many more. I even went to my first gig – Elton John – on the back of his performance of Tiny Dancer on the show.
I cannot believe 30 years have elasped since the OGWT appeared and watching last night’s show – which in the rich traditions of the show, included some brand new music, as well as old stuff – showed just how little music is covered by mainstream British television. Yes, we have Jools Holland but that’s pretty well it. Last night’s “one-off” must not be a “one-off”.
Surely it cannot be that expensive to get one small studio, perhaps with a small audience and make a new OGWT with some live acts, some videos and interviews? Bob Harris might be a few years older but so what? He is still a consummate presenter. There must be countless bands and artists who would die for TV exposure and would appear for next to nothing, or even nothing?
A nostalgia fest it, strangely, wasn’t. In fact, thanks to the brand new music, the OGWT felt strangely cutting edge, even 30 years on. The formula was slightly different but not that much and it still works.
So, come on, BBC. How about instead of yet another new TV cop series or yet another medical drama, why not give us a weekly music show of about an hour duration? By all means put it on BBC4 every Friday night. I think they may have hit on something!
