GI Jive 1944

 

GI Jill (Martha Wilkerson) was our first big DJ.  She was the voice of home to thousands.

GI Jive 1944

The program continued well into the Korean War.

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GI Jive 1945

 

In 1943 Martha Wilkerson was the voice of the girl left behind as GI Jill on on the brand new Armed Forces Radio Service. 

GI Jive 1945

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GI Jill

GI Jill with Bing Crosby

Martha Wilkerson (1908-99) was the first star built by the network.  During WWII she inherited the program GI Jive.  That was our response to Tokyo Rose and many similar shows being broadcast to our troops.  GI Jive was focused on the current hits.  Eventually there was an oldies show "Jill's All Time Jukebox", playing memories.

She continued with the network until at least 1949.

Jill's All Time Jukebox #36

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GI Jive 1945

When AFRTS worked best, it was the Voice Of Home, a place to remember. Nowhere was that easier to see than by the presentation of women. During WWII Martha Wilkerson was GI Jill, a friendly neighbor. In the 1950s it was Rebel Randall. In the 1960s Chris Noel was very much a product of the times. Here's GI Jill:

GI Jill 1945

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GI Jive - 1945

In WWII GI Jill was big.  The show started in San Francisco as "Hi Neighbor", a request show with news tidbits about back home with Martha Wilkerson and her husband, Robert Warner.  After 56 shows Warner was out but GI Jill kept the show going well into the 1950s.

GI Jive - 1945

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GI Jive - 1946

Jill was one of the first to bring America to the troops.  She had a long run and a LOT of the shows are available.  I'm happy to be able to say that.

GI Jive - 1946

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GI Jive - 1945

GI Jill is back with another jive session.  It starts with Bunny Berigan...

GI Jive - 1945

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Jill's All Time Jukebox 1944

Martha Wilkerson did the GI Jive show.  Starting near the end of the war was the "All-Time Jukebox", memories with GI Jill.  Here's a 1944 visit

Jill's All-Time Jukebox - 1944

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GI Jive - 1944

GI Jill with another Jive Session, your favorites by request,

GI Jive - 1944

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Jill's All-Time Jukebox 1945

While Martha Wilkinson was doing the GI Jive she also did an oldies show.

Jill's All-Time Jukebox - 1945

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GI Jive 1945

About two minutes into this is video of GI Jill announcing.

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GI Jive 1944

Armed Forces Radio's first heartthrob was Martha Wilkerson.  During WWII she started doing GI Jive and kept doing the show into the 1950s.

GI Jive 1944

GI Jive - 1946

Martha Wilkinson was one of the first big stars of AFRS.  During WWII there was a show called "GI Jive", one of the DJ shows.  Pretty non-descript until Martha became GI Jill and the voice of home.

GI Jive 1946

GI Jive 1945

Martha Wilkerson was GI Jill, the first really big homegrown star on the network. 

GI Jive #721