Auditioning for Auntie is the unusual title for an upcoming show on the UK's BBC Radio 4, that sounds like an interesting one for Pink Floyd fans.

By way of explanation, "Auntie" (or Auntie Beeb) is an affectionate name used for the British Broadcasting Corporation. The half-hour show, which airs this coming Monday, October 21st, at 4pm UK time, has presenter Pete Paphides delving into the BBC auditions process for aspiring bands in the 1950s and 60s such as the Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Who and Pink Floyd.

Throughout this era, any artist hoping to achieve wider national recognition would try and secure national radio exposure. To do this, they would have to meet the exacting standards of a small but powerful board of assessors within the BBC. Producers and sound engineers of the time remember the sessions and we hear musicians recalling their audition process - including Peter Hammill of Van der Graaf Generator, Judy Dyble of Fairport Convention and Alvin Stardust.

The BBC notes that, "among the artists the BBC wasn't initially convinced about were the Rolling Stones, while the errant behaviour of other groups recording BBC sessions - Pink Floyd, for example - threatened their relationship with the Corporation."

BBC Radio 4 can be heard within the UK, and in many parts of Europe, via FM radio, DAB digital radio, digital cable/satellite TV/Freeview and other similar services, and online. You should also be able to listen to the show once aired via this link and also via the BBC's iPlayer service.

Our thanks to Stuart Barstow for the tip-off about this upcoming programme.