Weapons of Dance - How the US helped Germany
Disco Tuesday with some US Armed Forces contribution
I have to admit I like most of these songs that have been produced in Germany with highly valuable influence by Americans long ago - I was actually consuming this kind of music when growing up.
After world war II Germany was divided into some party and a major area was controlled by the US army. America did introduce us to chocolate, chewing gum, Coca Cola and music. A lot of these US soldiers socialised in our country and some even decided to stay. It was for sure beneficial for the local music scene.
US ex soldiers did drive German Disco scene in the 1980ies / 90ies
Here is a small collection of US veterans that had a successful career in music - it was the time of Eurotrash where a lot bands / project came up with new electronic beats from German producers making use of male rappers and female singers - it was a very successful period for German Music Industry. Which of the tracks in this post is your favourite? Any memories around it? Stories? First kisses?
Actually it goes back much further, to the time right after WW2.
A lot of later famous german musicians started of playing in bands that performed mainly in soldiers clubs in the american and the british zone. That began more or less in 1946 already.
And many of the young people in general got influenced by the forces radio stations, especially AFN of the Americans and BFBS of the British. It was the first time they were able to listen to Jazz, Swing, Blues and other anglo-american music, without risking punishment by the Nazi authorities. Listening to "enemy radio" during the war could get you executed, or thrown into a concentration camp.
I know - however before WW2 there was a very open music scene in Berlin without going into detail. AFN is a good one after WW2 - was very popular and I was always listening to the US Billboard top 40 show.
Der gute alte Eurotrash aus den 90ern. Ach kann Kindheit doch schön sein :-)
Das sind echt Schinken aus der Jugend, mit denen man vieles verbindet :-)
Das stimmt, da hängt sehr viel Erinnerung drin.
Vorallem Mr. President und Culture Beat. Die wurden ja hoch und runter genudelt im Radio.
I was surprised when I moved to Germany the impact the US and Britain has on the music. I think it is a most lovely blend. :)
I totally agree with @beatminister!
Absolutely dominating when I was young - now it is more of local scenes though I think
The first time I lived in Germany I was young! ;)
Did not knew these were US soldiers. So now i understand why some moves remind me of some army drills.
Siehst du, wieder was gelernt :-)
Yes, US music of all kinds had huge impact on European music trends. Thanks for sharing this nice videos with us, @uwelang.