Debut Episode (03/01/1967)

**** This programme was suggested by Les Prosser, Jonathan Spiers and Tim Collings as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Weekend ****

The BBC’s long-running musical quiz first hit the airwaves of the BBC Home Service in 1967. with this debut edition.

Steve Race tests the musical knowledge of two teams, each led by comedy writing partners, Frank Muir and Denis Norden.

Joining Frank in this debut edition is opera singer turned broadcaster, David Franklin, while Denis welcomes with opera singer and actor, Ian Wallace.

Across a series of different rounds, the two teams tackle questions about light classical music, musical terms, translating Italian opera titles into English, musical forms, identifying folk songs, dance music and general music knowledge.

This long-running series was devised by Tony Shryane and Edward J Mason. Edward also sets the questions.

It ran for 29 series until 1994 – as a companion to the literary quiz series, My Word! A TV version ran on BBC 2 from 1977.

Which team will triumph in the opening show?

Producer: Tony Shryane

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1967.

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