Bob Harris

The Sparks Brothers

Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.

Wild Rose

A young Scottish singer, Rose-Lynn Harlan, dreams of making it as a country artist in Nashville after being released from prison.

The Old Grey Whistle Test: Live for One Night Only

Hosted by Bob Harris, this live studio show features music, special guests and rare archive to mark 30 years since the legendary series was last broadcast. Featuring performances from Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, and Albert Lee among others. Guests include Dave Stewart, Joan Armatrading, Ian Anderson, Chris Difford and Kiki Dee along with fans such as Danny Baker and Al Murray. A night of reminiscence, great music and fun.

Queen: Rock the World

In 1977, BBC music presenter Bob Harris was given exclusive and extensive access to the Queen. Conducting insightful interviews with all four band members as well as filming them at work in the studio as they were planning and rehearsing their forthcoming North American Tour, and then following them as they performed across the US, Bob captured a band attempting to replicate their huge domestic success on the global stage. To mark the 40th anniversary of the release of the News of the World album, the footage has now been carefully restored and revisited to compile this hour-long portrait of a group setting out to take the next step on their remarkable journey to becoming one of the biggest bands on the planet.

Buddy Holly: Rave On

Documentary following the life of rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly.

Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall

A history and tribute to British Jim Marshall's amplifiers, which since then became the standard of rock'n'roll amplifiers ever since.

Bob Harris: My Nashville

'Whispering' Bob Harris journeys to America's country music capital to reveal why Nashville became Music City USA. From the beginnings of the Grand Ole Opry on commercial radio, through the threatening onset of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, right up to the modern mainstream hits of Music Row, this is the story of how music has shaped Nashville and why today it's a place of pilgrimage for musicians from all over the world.

The Nation's Favourite Queen Song

Queen are unquestionably one of the most popular acts in the history of the UK singles chart. In this programme, famous fans and surviving band members Brian May and Roger Taylor discuss their 20 greatest hits.

When Albums Ruled the World

A BBC4 Documentary on the rise and fall and resurgence of the venerable LP record, and the dynamics of marketing and consumption of music as told through artists and musicians of the classic album eras of the 60s and 70s.

Glen Campbell: The Rhinestone Cowboy

Profile of singer-guitarist Glen Campbell, a story of success, disgrace and redemption.

Pop Charts Britannia: 60 Years of the Top 10

The story of the British pop charts from their beginnings on the 50s through the heyday of the 70s and 80s to their re-emergence in a digital world.

The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song

The rundown of Britain’s favourite 20 Bee Gee compositions forms a very serviceable biography, including the group’s return from Australia, their decline in the early 70s, and their wonderfully unlikely reinvention as a three-headed disco monster. Discussing what makes each song great are Cliff Richard, Tim Rice, a bafflingly incongruous but still welcome Dave Grohl, Neil Sedaka, and Barry and Robin Gibb. Can you guess what number one is? Elton John sorely wishes he’d written it...

Queen: Days of Our Lives

In 1971, four college students got together to form a rock band. Since then, that certain band called Queen have released 26 albums and sold over 300 million records worldwide. The popularity of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon is stronger than ever 40 years on. But it was no bed of roses. No pleasure cruise. Queen had their share of kicks in the face, but they came through and this is how they did it, set against the backdrop of brilliant music and stunning live performances from every corner of the globe. In this film, for the first time, it is the band that tells their story. Featuring brand new interviews with the band and unseen archive footage (including their recently unearthed, first ever TV performance), it is a compelling story told with intelligence, wit, plenty of humor and painful honesty.

Reggae Concert from the Edinburgh Festival

Live performance specially recorded for Whistle Test from the Reggae Concert at the Edinburgh Festival in 1973, featuring The Cimarons, Winston Groovy, Dennis Alcapone, The Marvels, Nicky Thomas and The Pioneers.

Old Grey Whistle Test: Volumes 1-3 - The Definitive Collection

Over its incredible 16-year run from 1971-1987 The Old Grey Whistle Test was THE destination in the U.K. to see cutting ed live performances by the hottest emerging acts in music. Until now! On Sept. 16 BBC Video is importing a DVD jam-packed with 28 vintage live performances from The Old Grey Whistle Test. Most have NEVER BEEN SEEN IN THE U.S. The first in a series of three Old Grey Whistle Test DVD compilations to be exported to the U.S. The Old Grey Whistle Test features performances by such legends as John Lennon Elton John Bob Marley Lynyrd Skynyrd Rory Gallagher The Police REM and U2 often at the start of their legendary careers! PLUS historic interviews with Mick Jagger John Lennon Keith Richards Robert Plant Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.

The World's Greatest Gigs

A countdown of the 20 greatest gigs of all-time as chosen by a panel of pundits, promoters and performers.

Marc Bolan: Ride On

Portrait of T.Rex frontman and pop icon Marc Bolan. The programme features interviews with many of his celebrity and non-celebrity friends and his long-time lover Gloria Jones, as well as rare private footage of stage performances of hits such as 'Ride a White Swan' and 'Get It On'.

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody

The story behind the epic Queen single.

Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher

Spoof documentary looking at the life of Normal Stanley Fletcher, the star of 1970s sitcom Porridge played by Ronnie Barker. Featuring fictional footage and interviews with the character's family, friends and associates, the film documents Fletcher's chequered career.

Suit You Sir! The Inside Leg Of The Fast Show

A look at how the Fast Show developed into one of TV's most successful series, with contributions from the creators, writers, cast and some famous fans.

Blondie in Concert

The Apollo Theater, Glasgow, Scotland - December 31, 1979. This concert video was originally broadcast live by the BBC on the OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST program. It was the 2nd night they'd played at The Apollo, with the first serving as a warmup. Only the second half of this show was broadcast, minus a few encores. Set List: Dreaming, Slow Motion, (Commercial Break), Shayla, Union City Blue, (Commercial Break), Atomic, Picture This, Pretty Baby, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass, Hanging on the Telephone, Sunday Girl, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass (Promo).

The Old Grey Whistle Test's Christmas Concert: The Kinks

Bob Harris introduces the Kinks in concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London, on Christmas Eve 1977.

Rod's Christmas Concert

The Old Grey Whistle Test presents Rod's Christmas Concert featuring The Rod Stewart Group performing on stage at The Olympia, London. With a new introduction to the 1976 programme by Bob Harris, the performances include Maggie May, Sailing, Tonight's the Night and I Don't Want to Talk About It.

Made

This compelling emotional drama stars Carol White as a young single mother who finds herself caught between two people – a local priest and a folk singer – each of whom wants to convert her to his own worldview. An elegy to a younger generation looking for something to believe in, Made co-stars hugely influential folk-rock musician Roy Harper in his screen debut. Produced by Joseph Janni – who previously made the astonishingly successful Poor Cow with White – directed by The Long Good Friday's John Mackenzie and featuring new songs specially composed by Harper.