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 Tubes with dancers, video and sketches. They appeared on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and played "God-Bird-Change" and "White Punks on Dope." After their live record "What Do You Want from Live" (1978), recorded during their record-breaking run at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, the band toured America and played a sold out run at The Pantages Theater in Hollywood, which attracted celebrities such as the cast of "Laverne and Shirley", Cher, Kate Jackson and Gene Simmons. The stage show had reached new levels of lewdness with Quay Lewd's large dildo hanging out of his costume and a fake bomb threat