Photo: Steve Goudie

Broadcast history

Thursday 15 July 2010, 23:00 Bob Harris Special

Saturday 17 July 2010, 17:00

Sunday 22 August 2010, 18:00

Sunday 13 February 2011, 18:00

Sunday 18 September 2011, 18:00

Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the start of this seminal TV rock programme

Sunday 25 September 2011, 14:00

Podcast now available

Playlist

AREA CODE 615 Stone Fox Chase*
AL STEWART Year Of The Cat (live on the OGWT)*
FOCUS Sylvia
LED ZEPPELIN Heartbreaker
ROBERT PLANT Big Log*
ROSANNE CASH Girl From The North Country

* from the album The Old Grey Whistle Test (Rhino)

David Randall talks to the legendary broadcaster about the Old Grey Whistle Test and his radio career.

Bob Harris has inspired a generation of rock fans.  Founding the London-based news magazine 'Time Out' in 1968 he was one of the early voices on BBC Radio 1 presenting the 'Sounds of the Seventies' show.

In September 1972 his background as a journalist helped him get the job on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test', BBC2's flagship rock music programme, when he replaced original host Richard Williams.  Bob became the show's best known presenter and stayed until 1978.

In June 2010 Rhino release the first of a series of CDs celebrating the programme and to tie-in with the show's 40th anniversary in 2011.

In the eighties Bob Harris continued to broadcast for a number of local radio stations including Radio 210, Radio Oxford and GWR whilst contributing to BFBS, the British Forces service.  In May 1991 he became the first voice on BBC Radio 1's overnight service.  However, he was part of the subsequent "cull" of older presenters in 1993. 

Since 1998 Bob Harris has presented a weekend early morning show on BBC Radio 2 as well as 'Bob Harris Country' which reflects his love of that genre and his championing of Country music and Americana in general.  In 2007 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and took a four month break to recover.

Bob Harris is amongst the UK's premier rock broadcasters and as influential as former colleagues, the late Tommy Vance, Alan Freeman and John Peel.

Photo: BBC

Album review

Bob Harris website