American Forces Network

The American Forces Network (AFN) and the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) serve as systems offering radio and television to US military personnel overseas.

Due to its presence in many countries all around the world, including locations where English is not the primary language, AFRTS is a cultural ambassador for the United States.

Newscasts via AFRTS are compiled from American networks, wired services and other sources.

For years, Americans who live overseas have tuned in to AFN as an alternative to the national public broadcasters since American pop culture was rare in the early stages of the post-WWII era.

The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) is AFN's British answer.

Like AFN, BFBS offers programs to British military personnel worldwide.

Due to its presence in numerous locations all across the world, including areas where English is not the primary language, BFBS is a cultural ambassador for the UK, like AFN is for the US.

AFN has been the best and most effective way people all around the world could get American culture since May 26, 1942; in fact, many of the best global celebrities were influenced by AFN.

Famous advertising executive Tom Lewis utilized his Hollywood connections to launch the worldwide AFRTS system on May 26, 1942.

1953 was when AFRTS entered television, with a station at Limestone Air Force Base in Maine.

From 1942 to 1954, AFRTS was called the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS).

By adding television to this mission, AFRS became known as the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) in 1954.

In 1969 or the late-1960's, a small name change for AFRTS resulted in it being known as the American Forces Radio and Television Service; in the early-1980's or after 1981, its name reverted to Armed.

AFRTS reverted its name to American before 2001; in 2017 or the late-2010's, AFRTS became AFN.

The American Forces Network Europe, usually known as AFN Europe, is one of the affiliates of the worldwide AFRTS system.

AFN Munich is one of the AFN Europe stations.

Southern European Broadcasting (SEB) and the Blue Danube Network (BDN) are the other AFRTS outlets based in Europe.

From its 1942 inception, Hollywood was the base for AFRTS.

In 1986, AFRTS relocated its operations to the Sun Valley portion of Los Angeles.

With this relocation of its operations from Hollywood to Sun Valley in 1986, the AFRTS Programming Centre became the AFRTS Broadcast Centre (AFRTS-BC).

Initially, AFN Europe came from London, using equipment and studio facilities from the BBC.

Soon, AFN Europe's operational headquarters moved to Paris, though its administrative headquarters remained in London.

Moving from London to Frankfurt, where it operated from a confiscated house, in August 1945, AFN Europe then moved its headquarters to Frankfurt's medieval Höchst Castle a year later.

Frankfurt's Höchst Castle was/is the first ever proper headquarters for AFN Europe located in post-war Germany, but also the most remembered and well-loved location AFN had ever had.

In 1966, AFN Europe relocated its headquarters from this well-loved Höchst Castle to its new home in Dornbusch, which is north of Frankfurt's downtown core.

Built in a more modern and open design than the famous and well-loved Höchst Castle, AFN Europe's headquarters at Dornbusch in Frankfurt lasted 38 years since its move in 1966.

Just before 2005, after nearly 60 years at its iconic and famous Frankfurt home, AFN Europe made the relocation of its headquarters to Coleman Barracks in Mannheim.

2014 was when (after a decade at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim) AFN Europe made the move of its headquarters to Sembach Kaserne, which is located in Sembach near Kaiserslautern.

Since November 1945, BDN had been popular among American troops and Austrian citizens with its American programming line-up, but ended in the mid-1950's after 1954.

Although famous Hollywood stars have kept US troops entertained through the AFRTS system, it also introduced American citizens to famous faces involved with AFN.

Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey are also pop culture icons.

Some Whitney Houston trademarks are her beautiful smile and her soulful mezzo-soprano vocals.

Through her powerful and soulful singing voice, her charisma and charm, Whitney Houston impresses many people across the world, especially America.

Oversinging is a trend aimed at vocal styles dominating the music they are performed in.

Riffs, runs, melisma and belting are some vocal styles most frequently associated with the oversinging trend, all popularized by Whitney Houston.

In addition, Whitney Houston popularized the big voice, little woman trend, also being used by Aretha Franklin, who is a frend and collaborator of her mother Cissy Houston.

The Voice is one of Whitney Houston's nicknames, along with Nippy and The Prom Queen of Soul.

Known as the "Songbird Supreme," Mariah Carey impresses many people across the world, especially America, with her melismatic singing style and her use of the whistle register.

Marilyn Monroe is one of Mariah Carey's major inspirations.

Both Marilyn Monroe and Mariah Carey utilize moles/beauty marks under their cheekbones; they also have their given names begin with the letters M, A, R and I.

In addition, Mariah Carey also has Marilyn Monroe's piano, as well as her daughter being named after Marilyn Monroe.

Lambs are Mariah Carey's dedicated fanbase.

For years, both Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey have left their mark on pop culture in the Western world and beyond, inspiring countless artists and shaping music and other pop culture forms.

Plus, the influences involving the likes of both Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey on pop culture are undeniable, like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Madonna.

Riffs, runs and melisma are soulful singing trends for both Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

By distancing herself from Whitney Houston's ballad style, Mariah Carey uses a sound with runs and vocal acrobatics infused by gospel, incorporating youthful and upbeat elements into her music.

Kyla (b. 1981) is a pioneer in rhythm & blues/soul music in the Philippines, but also a major figure in shaping rhythm & blues music in Asia.

Using soulful riffs, runs and melisma, Kyla is the Filipino answer to Mariah Carey.

Among Kyla's notable idols are Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.

Melanie Hernandez Camplaud is the real name for Kyla.

Ray Charles, James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin serve as precursors of the Vocal Trinity comprising Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, in turn, idols for Kyla.

Both Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe are idols for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, the latter being a major idol for Filipino rhythm & blues/soul singer Kyla.

Jay R (b. 1981) is, like his friend and partner Kyla, a Filipino rhythm & blues/soul music pioneer.

Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and Michael Jackson are some of the idols for Jay R.

Gaudencio Sillona III is the real name for Jay R.

Both Kyla and Jay R are pioneering icons of the Filipino rhythm & blues music scene; in fact, they are well-known as Rhythm & Blues Royalities.

Angela Via (b. 1981) is a singer in the rhythm & blues and soul genres, yet is unknown.

With a soulful singing voice being characterized by riffs, runs and melisma, Angela Via has been often influenced by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion (Vocal Trinity).

In essence, Marilyn Monroe is a key idol for Mariah Carey, who, in turn, is a key idol for Angela Via.

Raymondville, located in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas, is where Angela Via was born.

Having Mexican, Spanish, Native American and European ancestries, Angela Via is a Latina girl.

Both Mariah Carey and Angela Via have similarities.

For one reason, both Mariah Carey and Angela Via have soulful singing voices being characterized by riffs, runs and melisma; they were also born in a year of the Rooster.

Jane Zhang (b. 1984) is a Chinese-language singer in the rhythm & blues and soul genres.

Having been China's answer to Mariah Carey, Jane Zhang uses her soulful riffs, runs, melisma and the whistle register, the latter earning her the nickname Dolphin Princess.

Both Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe are idols for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, the latter being a major idol for Chinese rhythm & blues/soul singer Jane Zhang.

Monika Ivkic (b. 1989) is a rhythm & blues/soul singer in the Balkans.

In her English-language tunes, Monika Ivkic has her soulful singing voice, filled with riffs, runs and melisma, inspired by both Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé.

Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion serve as key idols for both Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé, who, in turn, are influences for Monika Ivkic.

The iconic and world-famous breathy and cooing voice of Marilyn Monroe is a tactic that she used to overcome a childhood stutter; in fact, her voice is a gentle breeze.

Plus, Marilyn Monroe famously poses on a bed covered in white bedsheets.

During an interview with Life magazine, Marilyn Monroe made a famous declaration that she wears Chanel No. 5 to bed, boosting the perfume's iconic status.

Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire are three of Marilyn Monroe's breakout movies, all released in 1953.

The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot are Marilyn Monroe's films directed by Billy Wilder.

George Axelrod, who wrote The Seven Year Itch's original 1950's play iteration, also co-wrote its film version with Billy Wilder, in which Marilyn Monroe plays an unnamed actress and former model.

Marilyn Monroe wears a white dress being used in the best-known scene of The Seven Year Itch.

In the most well-known scene of The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn Monroe's white dress is blown up by a subway grate wind in New York, revealing her legs and under garments.

Known as a pop culture moment, the flying dress scene being featured in The Seven Year Itch is often associated with Marilyn Monroe's image as well.

Ever since her 1962 death, Marilyn Monroe's iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch, where it's blown up by a subway grate, has been depicted, represented and imitated in many aspects.

For Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn Monroe performs Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.

Marilyn Monroe dons a pink dress, which is used during her iconic Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Likewise, ever since her death, Marilyn Monroe's pink dress, which is utilized during Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, has been depicted, represented and imitated.

William Travilla created two of Marilyn Monroe's most famous outfits: the white dress being used in The Seven Year Itch and the pink dress being used in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

How to Marry a Millionaire, starring Marilyn Monroe, is the first film shot in CinemaScope, also the second one to be released overall.

Directed by Henry Hathaway, Niagara is one of the dramatic films for Marilyn Monroe.

Rose Loomis is the character which Marilyn Monroe plays in Niagara.

Sugar Kane Kowalczyk is the character which Marilyn Monroe plays in Some Like It Hot.

Marilyn Monroe sings four songs in Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot film: I Wanna Be Loved by You, Runnin' Wild, I'm Thru with Love and the title track.

Plus, for Some Like It Hot, Marilyn Monroe sported a mole on her left cheek, not her upper lip.

Something's Got to Give features a nude Marilyn Monroe in a swimming pool, which is an iconic and famous scene being imitated, represented and depicted.

Plus, Marilyn Monroe's Something's Got to Give scene, where she swims nude, is unconventional.

Rebel Without a Cause is the most famous of all three films starring James Dean.

Directed by Nicholas Ray, Rebel Without a Cause is a highly-influential film for teenagers and young adults, with James Dean as Jim Stark.

For Rebel Without a Cause, James Dean dons a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a red leather jacket.

Moss Mabry designs James Dean's world-famous outfit: the one which consists of a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a red leather jacket, being used for Rebel Without a Cause.

Plus, both Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood attend Van Nuys High School, but also appear in a 1948 film Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!

In Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!, Natalie Wood plays a larger role than Marilyn Monroe.

Gone with the Wind is also one of the greatest and most successful films ever, starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler.

Zomba's 2002 sale to BMG put musicians like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys under the BMG banner.

Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad are Michael Jackson's Epic albums that achieve critical and commercial successes and earn legendary status, all co-produced by Quincy Jones.

The first of three albums being released for Michael Jackson by CBS' Epic Records label, Off the Wall establishes him as a pop star, also marking a transition from a child icon to a mature solo artist.

Off the Wall also marks a break from Michael Jackson's Motown work and his major breakthrough.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough is Michael Jackson's first solo tune where he has full creative control.

For his second album released by Epic Records, Thriller significantly cemented Michael Jackson's pop culture status, largely due to the innovative music videos accompanying this album.

Billie Jean, Beat It and Human Nature, aside from the title track, are some songs for Michael Jackson's Thriller album.

The music video for Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, directed by Steve Barron, is the first ever by a black artist to earn heavy rotation on MTV.

Due to the huge success and popularity of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean music video (plus many others from his Thriller album), MTV's initial focus on white artists was broken down.

At the same time, the music video for Michael Jackson's Beat It, directed by Bob Giraldi and filmed in Los Angeles, established the pop star as an international icon.

Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, directed by famous film director John Landis, sealed MTV's position as a major cultural force and revolutionized music video production.

Praised for its innovative production, its stunning choreography and its cinematic approach, Michael Jackson's Thriller music video inspired countless artists and directors to emulate its style.

Taking responsibility for the choreography in Michael Jackson's innovative and groundbreaking music videos Beat It and Thriller was Michael Peters.

Bad, which is Michael Jackson's third Epic album, represents a shift towards a more mature and edgy image, departing from his boyish persona.

Lucky Star is Madonna's first top five hit; its music video features her fashion/style, which became the trend among the young generation of the time.

The music video for Madonna's Material Girl pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe's Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, earning heavy rotation on MTV.

You Give Good Love is the first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston's iteration of Saving All My Love for You is her first ever number one hit on the Hot 100 chart, but also her worldwide breakthrough.

How Will I Know is Whitney Houston's first upbeat tune.

The music video for How Will I Know serves as Whitney Houston's first to receive heavy rotation on MTV, which gave her exposure to teenagers and made her the first black woman to do so.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) is a shift for Whitney Houston by reaching a wider audience with a more pop-oriented music sound after hits with ballads on her debut album.

George Merrill, Shannon Rubicam and Narada Michael Walden are the masterminds behind Whitney Houston's upbeat tunes: How Will I Know and I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).

The soulful rendition of the Dolly Parton song I Will Always Love You serves as Whitney Houston's signature tune, but also a cultural phenomenon.

Vision of Love is Mariah Carey's debut single, but also popularized riffs, runs, melisma and the whistle register in mainstream pop music.

Mariah Carey's Vision of Love tune is also the blueprint for future female singers using her techniques.

During the climax of her own Vision of Love song, Mariah Carey uses her whistle register, which she popularized; the inspiration for Mariah Carey's whistle register is Minnie Riperton.

Someday is Mariah Carey's first upbeat tune.

Emotions is Mariah Carey's sophomore album, which, besides its title track, features others like Can't Let Go, Make It Happen, etc.

For the title track of her second album, Emotions features Mariah Carey's upper range and her whistle register.

Unconfined to Mariah Carey's whistle register, Emotions also has disco, rhythm & blues and gospel.

What's the 411? is Mary J. Blige's first album, innovative in that it fuses rhythm & blues and hip-hop to create hip-hop soul.

The remix of What's the 411? is also innovative, as it is the first album to feature a rapper in each tune.

In other words, the remix of What's the 411? popularized rap as a featured act in mainstream music.

Music Box features such songs as Dreamlover, Hero, Without You and Anytime You Need a Friend.

Dreamlover is Mariah Carey's first attempt to incorporate hip-hop into her songs, influenced by Dave Hall's work with fellow New Yorker Mary J. Blige.

Blind Alley by The Emotions samples Mairah Carye's Dreamlover tune.

Hero is deemed by many to be Mariah Carey's signature song, known for its message of finding inner strength and self-empowerment.

Without You is Mariah Carey's soulful cover version of the 1972 tune of the same name.

The music video for Anytime You Need a Friend marks Mariah Carey's first image change.

All I Want for Christmas is You is a modern Christmas anthem for Mariah Carey, which blends various music genres, like pop, rhythm & blues, soul and gospel.

Furthermore, Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You also mixes 1960's rock and Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, especially in its structure and instrumentation.

With Dreamlover being Mariah Carey's first attempt to utilize hip-hop, Fantasy further solidified this direction; its remix, featuring ODB, is produced by Puff Diddy, who worked with Mary J. Blige.

Puff Diddy's remix of Mariah Carey's Fantasy popularized the trend of rap verses in pop tunes.

Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club samples Mariah Carey's Fantasy.

Honey's music video marks a step up for Mariah Carey to embrace a more liberated and overtly sexual image, in contrast to the traditional and demure persona she has cultivated.

Mariah Carey's cover version of the late-1980's Brenda K. Starr tune I Still Believe, for whose original version she sings backup, is a moderate worldwide success.

Incidentally, singing backup for Brenda K. Starr is Mariah Carey's first professional music work.

During her career, Mariah Carey has had a connection to Old Hollywood, especially Marilyn Monroe.

The music video for Mariah Carey's own cover version of I Still Believe is based upon the 1954 visit to South Korea for a USO tour by her idol Marilyn Monroe.

Mariah Carey also surprises the audience at the curtain call of the musical incarnation of the late-1950's comedy film Some Like It Hot; the film stars her idol Marilyn Monroe.

Plus, the music video for Mariah Carey's Butterfly tune is based upon the 1950's film Baby Doll, which features Marilyn Monroe's friends Elia Kazan and Carroll Baker.

Carroll Baker was chosen to star in Baby Doll over Marilyn Monroe, who helped promote this film.

What motivated Mariah Carey to be a co-producer for the musical iteration of Some Like It Hot is her passion for the leading star of the original film version named Marilyn Monroe.

Baby One More Time is Britney Spears' first hit.

The famous and influential music video for Baby One More Time features Britney Spears wearing a school uniform with a midriff-baring top/crop top.

Stronger is also a big hit for Britney Spears; its lyrics reflects on resilience after a breakup.

Plus, the music video for Britney Spears' Stronger tune serves as a diversion from her previous music videos in that it has a darker tone.

Toxic features a music video in which Britney Spears wears many clothes, like a blue flight attendant uniform.

Candle in the Wind by Elton John includes two main versions, one about Marilyn Monroe in 1973, the other written as a tribute to Princess Diana in 1997.

Both versions of Candle in the Wind feature Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana as two of the famous women who died young at age 36.

Taylor Swift's music videos and early career are filled with references to Britney Spears.

For Marilyn Monroe, her beauty and premature death contribute to her status as an iconic figure.

In nostalgia, smoking cigarettes are icons of youth, rebellion, elegance, sexuality and style, especially when associated with people like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

Whilst cultural icons like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston are not eternally youthful in physical sense, their deaths have preserve their youth.

Since the 1990's, some songs have instrumental intros featuring soulful vocal riffs, runs and melisma before the main melody, inspired by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

For the last chorus of some pop songs since the 1990's, the backup singers have harmonized with the primary singer doing soul, inspired by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

Between the first chorus and the second verse, soulful riffs, runs and melisma are used as breaks.

Riffs, runs and melisma, frequently associated with soulful singing girls/women, are some vocal styles being accompanied sporadically by sultry and breathy tones and moans.

The Idol franchise serves as a platform for young and upcoming singers, male and female alike, many doing pop, but also others like rhythm & blues, soul, rock, etc.

American Idol, one of the best and most successful Idol versions, features a vocal school.

Popstars is the precursor of the Idol franchise, both of which come from the countries of the former British Empire.

New Zealand is where Popstars originated, the UK is where the Idol franchise was born.

Some of the elements from Popstars, including a panel of judges in auditions and audience voting, are being adopted by the Idol franchise.

Mariah Carey's Vision of Love inspires the American Idol vocal school, which features many students being girls/women with soulful rhythm & blues/gospel vocals.

Plus, females have their hair getting wet in MTV-style music videos, either in the rain, splashing in the beach or when sweaty.

In other words, wet hair is sexy for girls in music videos with genres like rhythm & blues and hip-hop.

Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Shakira are some inspirations for Filipino singers.