At a time when America's democracy can seem like its teetering on the brink, its worth remembering that West German Democracy was a shining success story in its democracy and the cultural attraction to its freedoms. This was a singular case, where after World War Two the occupying army was not seen as a threat or a terror but rather as a glimpse of a better life. The reactions to rock were by no means universally positive, with some, especially ex-storm troopers even dreaming of "rock n roll" concentration camps.

Before we start our conversation with trained sociologist and chef Ronald Herrmann, we listen to Peter Kraus's "Du Gehörst Mir" and Ted Herold's "Küss Mich," two stellar yet overlooked examples of early West German Rock from the late 1950s.

In this episode we cover:

• What was unique about post-war Germany's Rock Cult ...