“Inside the Whistle Test Studio”
The November 1973 issue of “Music Scene” magazine featured privileged access to the studios of BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test.
Bob Harris gave a tour and interview to journalist Rodney Marlowe accompanied by photographer Dezo Hoffman.
What really goes on at the Old Grey Whistle Test. Is it the front for an International Conspiracy? Ace journalist RODNEY MARLOWE, accompanied by expert spy-cameraman DEZO HOFFMAN, went to investigate. He found mystery man Bob Harris most obliging. Everyone was open and frankly willing to help. On the surface it seemed like an ordinary T.V. music programme, but, of course, he never did find out the truth
You can't help liking Bob Harris, compére of The Old Grey Whistle Test, the programme which topped the New Musical Express poll on television shows at the last reckoning. No airs and graces, very natural, lots of things to say and an infectious sense of humour. Compared to the photographs we took some weeks back, his hair and beard are now much shorter. He went on holiday this past summer and found the mass of hair somewhat hot, so out came the scissors!
This coming series will be his second and that says a lot for him. The programme has had quite a number of front-men and he's now the longest serving member. Spontaneity seems one important element to the show and Bob with his easy going manner fits into that groove very well.
The accent isn't so much on chart material, at least not the Top 30 singles, as with giving talented groups and singers the chance to make music, for, as Bob said, "music is what matters, not the compère." He is modest but the remark isn't meant to be seen in that light anyway for he means what he says. He wants music to speak for itself and not rely on someone trying to sell it with lots of words and some contrived enthusiasm
What seems to make Bob so good at his job is simply the fact that "this is what I want to do and enjoy immensely, my Monday night Sound Of The Seventies show and Whistle Test." Bob's genuinely interested in who appears on the programme. He doesn't have any final word on artists chosen but he can suggest.
"I find my radio programme helps a lot, for each Monday I feature two live groups and listening to them gives me some idea of who would fit into the television programme set up." Home were one of the groups to have come this way, from radio show to television. "Incidentally I feel so disappointed about their album. They are so good but no-one really gave them enough time to make it. A great pity."
According to Bob, "there's a fine team working on the programme and when people responsible are into what they do then success is more than likely to come."
