AFN Bremerhaven

AFN Bremerhaven was on the air from 1945-93. Here's part of the 1993 closing, as broadcast on AFN Bremerhaven.

AFN Bremerhaven 3-31-93 shuts down

Early AFN part 7

AFN Germany was the only network that actively archived over the years.  It's a great thing that these memories aren't lost to the ether.  Let's go to Frankfurt, in the early 50s...

Early AFN Part 7

What an amazing place to have a gig.

US Army Germany

Welcome visitors from the http://www.usarmygermany.com/ website.  Walter does a great job with it and there's a lot of AFN infomation I haven't seen before.  Take a look!

Happy Birthday AFKN

AFN-K (I still find that hard to say) has put together their 60th anniversary tribute. 

What do you think?

AFN Korea 60th anniversary

See AFRTS disks on PBS-TV

Jon checks in to let us know about something coming up on PBS


I was just checking a satellite feed of an upcoming PBS program, "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook" and spotted a collector with some some serious WWII-era AFRS vinyl transcriptions and V-Discs.

Feinstein discussed the use of the AFRS discs and their procurement, and there was some great performance footage of Lena Horne, Bing Crosby and Judy Garland taken from "Jubilee" and "Command Performance USA."

This is in episode #2 of the series, entitled "The Best Band in the Land."

After doing a QC check of the feed, it was a segment of the show where Michael Feinstein met with former AFRS producer Marty Halperin (Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters).

Halperin was showing him the master tapes he kept over the years in the basement of his home, along with a few AFRS 12" transcription discs (in the familiar manila shuck with "Armed Forces Radio & Television Service" and "Property of U.S. Government" over the center hole.

Michael Feinstein's American Songbook

Best Band in the Land

Wednesday, October 13, 7:00pm (your date and time may vary)

The roles that popular music played during WWII, providing emotional solace and boosting morale, are remembered. Michael Feinstein also discusses the era's big bands, USO shows, V-Discs and war bond rallies; and prepares an original patriotic song.

Golden Days of Radio

No recent word on Frank Bresse's condition.  He had an amazing run on the network.  Recently his amazing record collection has come on the market.  But these were the days, a 1951 Lux Radio Theatre production of Sunset Boulevard.

Golden Age Of Radio - Sunset Boulevard

Early AFN part 6

Been a long time since we looked at AFN in the 1940s and 50s.  Here's some misc material from Frankfurt and Stuttgart with Bob Smith, Keith Griggs and more.

Early AFN part 6

The most popular AFRS Program?  GI Jive.

GI Jive 646

The AFRTS book

Dave Phillips has written the big book of AFRTS, about all of us and all of the networks.  It promises to really be a great read.  It's finished.  The cover art is done but Dave's having a bit of a time getting a publisher.  If you can help on that one, please let me know.  We NEED this book.

WABCs Cousin Brucie On AFVN and Chris Noel

In 1969 the Coca-Cola company asked some very bigtime jocks to record shows for the troops, which were distributed on LP.  The Real Don Steele did one.  Hy Litt did one Here's the one that Cousin Brucie did.. 

AFVN Cousin Brucie

The series was not documented.  What I know for a fact is that the Don Steele one showed up on eBay last year and went for top dollar.  I've heard rumors that AFVN ran some of them on the air.  I can't confirm that.

A lot memories of AFVN were of actress Chris Noel, let's take a listen:

Date With Chris

While we're at it, let's return to AFVN Pleiku for the overnight show.  Who's the jock??
AFVN Pleiku 1970.

AFN to drop over-the-air signal in 2 countries

Once again it's the end of an era..


WIESBADEN, Germany — Some American Forces Network viewers in Germany and Belgium could soon be seeing nothing but static when they turn on the TV.

The Army’s 5th Signal Command, which is responsible for over-the-air TV transmitters that broadcast AFN, plans to turn off over-the-air signal in the two countries starting next month. The change will affect only those who receive the broadcast via a television antenna. Viewers who own AFN decoders will not notice any change, AFN officials say.
Original story

Command Performance 1944

In WWII AFRS edited the commercials from US network programs and made their own programming. Command Performance was the biggest variety show, with the biggest stars from all of the networks and Hollywood. In 1944 Fred Waring (invented the Waring Blender) hosted Command Performance.





Command Performance #146
Direct Download

AFN Korea now

Here's the newest presentation we've ever had. The morning show from Daegu (used to be Taegu) with Faun Mann. The tradition continues. I notice the similarities. Someone in Berlin the 1940s sounds a lot like someone in Vietnam. Done well it's just relating to the troops.






AFN Korea March 2010 with Faun Mann

Direct Download
Visit their website: http://afnkorea.net/

G.I. Jive

In 1943 Martha Wilkerson was the voice of the girl left behind as GI Jill on on the brand new Armed Forces Radio Service. Here's what Time magazine said about it in 1945





G.I. Jive - WWII

Direct Download More GI Jive here

Now loading faster and random TP-165

I think I'll only have the realtime player on the most recently posted material. When they were on everything the page loaded too slow...

Spring 1966
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels - Jenny Take a Ride
Paul Revere and the Raiders - Just Like Me
Toys - Attack
Gentrys - Spread It On Thick
Miracles - Going To A Go Go
Lou Christy - Lightning Strikes

Backed with 15 "Hollywood Hotline" programs, hosted by Dick Clark.

Sometimes I played the Clark shows with a period oldie, neat effect.

Links

If you look to the left, there is a page of links to mostly related AFRTS websites. They're all pretty interesting. If you have a website, please send the address along.

Early AFN part 5

Here's another bunch of surprises from the early years of AFN, in no particular order but probably the 1940s and 50s. (Thanks Garry!!)




Early AFN
Direct Download