AFN Frankfurt

During World War II, the US military began establishing American Forces Network radio stations in Europe, starting in London on 4 July 1943.

[1][3] The medieval tower was used to house the unmarried staff, with the newest member given the small top floor room.

[12] The program director Johnny Vrotsos also collaborated regularly with the German Hotclub Combo [de] jazz band.

[13] AFN was also instrumental in introducing blues, country, Western and rock and roll music to Germany.

[14] AFN Frankfurt has been credited with popularising rap and hip hop music in the local area.

[18] However, the programming was deliberately not adapted to the shadow audience, and the military commanders were opposed to using the network as a tool for propaganda directed at Germans.

During the dinner hour (19:05-20:00), AFN Frankfurt fed the entire network an easy-listening show called "Music In the Air."

Staff announcers included Shel Smith, Ken Larvick, Hank Baughman, Nolan Kenner, Rick Scarry and others.