The Shepherd's Bush Theatre was built by Victorian architect Frank Matcham for powerful theatre magnate Oswald Stoll. Situated in Shepherd's Bush Green, it opened it's doors on August 17, 1903 and hosted the popular stage and dance hall revues of the time. The Fred Karno Troupe was the first act to perform at the venable theatre. The theatre was sold to BBC Television in September of 1953 and became the home to such popular television shows as "Crackerjack", "That's Life", "Wogan" and "The Old Grey Whistle Test".
The Old Grey Whistle Test first aired on the BBC in 1971. Hosted by "Whispering Bob Harris, it was a ground breaking show, that aired live music from up and coming bands. Bob Harris explains how the name came about, "It was a 'tin pan alley' phrase from years ago. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys. The ones they could remember and could whistle having heard it just once or twice had passed the old grey whistle test".
The Old Grey Whistle Test was the last programme on a Friday night for BBC2, and if it was going well they would let the bands keep playing long into the night. Rory Gallagher performed on the "Old Grey Whistle Test" show at Shepherds Bush Theatre on March 2, 1976 and did just that on a day marking his 28th birthday. So grab a guinness, turn on the telly and join Whispering Bob, the Starkicker, and Rory Gallagher at the Old Grey Whistle Test. Rory is celebrating his 28th birthday and it's a party you won't want to miss.
