Sylvia (Focus song) on the "Old Grey Whistle Test", along with a number of UK gigs in late 1972, has been crediting with exposing the band and helping the single reach number 4 in the UK Singles Chart. The programme's presenter, Bob Harris, is quoted as saying that the band's appearance was so well received by the audience that the pressing plant for the single was overwhelmed and only produced copies of "Sylvia" for the following week to cater for the demand. Dave Thompson, writing for AllMusic, said that aside from the studio recording, the band's best version of the song was the
The Old Grey Whistle Test 1985. The series was cancelled in early 1987 by Janet Street-Porter, who had been appointed head of Youth Programmes at the BBC. The series ended with a live New Year's Eve special broadcast through to the early hours of New Year's Day 1988; material included "Hotel California" by The Eagles, live from 1977, and "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf. Owing to technical issues during the show's early years, and the need to ensure performances were controlled, the bands often recorded the instrumental tracks the day before. The vocals were then performed live, "99 percent" of the time. After