ONCE he was Whispering Bob Harris, the voice of The Old Grey Whistle Test. Now Bob is an institution on BBC Radio 2, bringing nearly 40 years of experience to the endangered art of the knowledgeable rock music broadcaster.

Tonight, he looks back on his own career and offers anecdotal insights into a world he loves as much as ever. Typically, however, he will not have the stage all to himself at Pocklingtoin Arts Centre.

“About two or three years ago, I started a monthly night at the Stables at Wavendon [Milton Keynes], where I would introduce three separate artists selected by me, interviewing them and presenting them on stage: people like Judie Tzuke, Thea Gilmore, Cosmic Rough Riders and, from America, Slaid Cleaves,” says Bob.

“We thought it would be a nice thing to do around the country with me and an acoustic artist; me telling anecdotes and then live music at the end. This time, it’ll be Gary Fletcher, of the Blues Band.”

Bob has a well of stories from which to draw. “I’m fortunate to be in the position I am in the music industry, meeting people not in everyday circumstances, but doing things like sitting in on sessions in Nashville,” he says.

“I see it as having a camera on my shoulder for 40 years and shining it on people and now replaying those moments, like meeting John Lennon in New York in 1975 when he released the Rock’n’Roll album. That was my career highlight.”

• An Evening With Bob Harris, Pocklington Arts Centre, tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets: £15 on 01759 301 547.