The show started in 1956, and its format consisted of selections of music, hand-picked by Gilmour, many from his own vast personal record collection.
Gilmour died shortly thereafter, and his entire collection of over 10,000 albums and 4,000 CDs was donated to the CBC's music library.
The intro theme music was Akinla, the final movement of the African Suite by Nigerian composer Fela Sowande.
The version played on Gilmour's albums first appeared on the LP For My True Love and was performed by mezzo-soprano Salli Terri, guitarist Laurindo Almeida and flautist Martin Ruderman.
The extro theme for the final decade was "Saturday Night Function" by Barney Bigard and Duke Ellington performed by the Sackville All Stars, from their album also titled Saturday Night Function.