Drum Teacher Reacts: Hocus Pocus - Focus | The Midnight Special | MIND BLOWN - I LOVE THIS!

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#reaction #focus #hocuspocus

[@somedutchguy7582]

Jan Akkerman was voted "World's Best Guitarist" by Music Maker in 1973. Imagine the competition in those days.

[@1958seeker]

Is still a great guitarist with many recent clips of his talent available on KZbin. I believe he needed to take a break in his career due to injuries sustained in an accident which left him unable to play for a number of years but now back to his best

[@billfear1]

Oh yeah..that he was...👍

[@hansolo2121]

The magazine that voted him best guitarist was called "Melody Maker" not Music Maker :)

[@joelspaulding5964]

Imagine the competition these days. He would still fare well in my book.

[@colemantrebor6574]

He was using techniques and playing style in this song that only became popular in the 80s, such as sweep picking. Revolutionary

[@brucefelger4015]

The only standing ovation ever, on this program

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

The speed which these guys played this for this show is insane!!! Extremely talented. I wish they had more success than they did.

[@skabuoy]

Focus is still performing well attended gigs, so it all depends on your definition of 'success'.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

@@skabuoy Ok. Like I said, I wish they had more success than that. If they had 13 double platinum albums, I'd wish they had more. Never said they weren't successful.

[@skabuoy]

@@snakeinthegrass7443 I wasn't trying to be a critical smart ass, or snarky, or something. It's just depending on your definition of successful. Platinum albums is one option, still playing live and drawing crowds sizeable enough to make that worthwhile 50 years later is another. There is also something to be said for artists that only were around for a year or so, releasing one album that bombed, but years later had numerous hit making artists citing them as a major influence.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

I never said they weren't successful. To hear that they're still playing shows proves they have been successful. I said "I WISH THEY HAD MORE SUCCESS THAN THEY DID". Did you get it? "than they did" I acknowledged their success. Ok?

[@skabuoy]

@@snakeinthegrass7443 Yes. I get you. Yes. I did from the beginning, so there's no reason to shout. Because clearly you didn't get me, not even after I dumbed it down for you. So you know what? Enjoy the rest of your life. There's bound to be a brick wall somewhere that's more susceptible to an intelligent conversation. Or maybe it's just a side effect of all that dr**s you did in the seventies, in which case I apologize, I never kick people when they're down.

[@emcsquared8681]

The drummer was actually part of a free Jazz group called Advance Warning.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Nice info. That's a serious drummer!

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

And went back to play with Focus. I saw them in a small 150 people club about 5-6 years ago. Still in world class.

[@lungfulldrummer8921]

Love that you can see them glancing at each other and having little chuckles about how ridiculous it is.

[@BakerStudiosIndy]

Pierre van der Linden's drum work is what I use to calibrate my metronomes. Jan Akkerman's guitar work is unbelievably underrated. Then there's Thijs van Leer... And still performing at age 76. Being a child of the 70's, I can vouch for this song pretty much summing up the entire decade. And still a thrill half a century later.

[@vizzini589]

The chase scene in the movie Baby Driver to this song is amazing.

[@roopepitkanen947]

That is Bert Ruiter on bass on this live version. Martijn Dresden was bands original bassist and plays on their debut album. He was replaced with Cyril Havermans, who plays on the studio version of this track.

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

R.I.P Bert Ruiter

[@veryhighpower]

I saw them at the Whisky in Hollywood in the seventies. The lead guitarist had like a 10 fret span. Unbelievable.

[@carlomercorio1250]

Hocus Pocus and Sylvia were their two hits. Excellent band!

[@mojobag01]

Don't sleep on 'House Of The King'.

[@YnseSchaap]

"I need a Bathroom" 😁

[@mrew42]

One of the best, maddest, fastest, bonkers songs/tunes ever made. And this is the best version of it. I read they had only a limited time to play the song so this version is on steroids!!

[@NativeNewMexican]

If you haven't seen the Wallace & Grommit Hocus Pocus edit, I'd recommend that, it's top tier too.

[@buzzbomb67]

@@NativeNewMexican lol nice! GOT to go see that now :)

[@erwinamesz7642]

My fellow Dutch guys invented speedmetalpolka on the spot!

[@NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

".... you know that new sound you're looking for? Well listen to this!"

[@rottingemptiness]

LOL 🙂😁🙂

[@BleepingTom]

Thijs van Leer... correctly spoken as t-ice (so english "ice" with a "t" in front.... "th" in Dutch is pronounced as "t" in english...BTW by far best footage to check Focus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKpeHeli8Sgnbc (Focus - Live at the BBC (Old Grey Whistle Test) December 1972 (Full Session)

[@RickINFJ]

Imagine these guys being your opener and looking at your bandmates..."how are we EFF are we supposed to follow that?!" Bewildered, befuddled, and blindsided. 😂🤘

[@rottingemptiness]

Me , born & raised in Belgium , I just love this song , great Dutch band 🙂 Another (RIP) Dutch band I really appreciate , Ekseption 🙂

[@arjankremer8229]

Kayak

[@rottingemptiness]

​​@@arjankremer8229, and around 1977 and later on , Herman Brood , and also early-mid 70's Earth & Fire ♥️ 🎶

[@turtle8581]

And Spin

[@rottingemptiness]

@@turtle8581, holy manure , thank you , I had never even heard them before !!!! 😲 Holy da da da da .... mn , I freaky love it 🎼🎶🎵🎸🎹🎺🎷🙂👌

[@selmonb921]

Pierre's solos kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ2qeWOuhKZkn7s Sea of Delight 1969 BrainBox with drum solo comes in at 12:35 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qorMg2Cojd9_fNU My favorite, live 46 minute jam called Eruption, Great drumming through out, solo starts at 35:35 The dude could play that 4 piece kit! from 1971 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWnThnSJnrRjiJI

[@pileofstuff]

I've been listening to this tune for decades, and it's always fun to see new people's reaction to this thing. Especially so when it's someone who can appreciate the musicianship beyond just the madness of it all.

[@pasit1738]

The guitar player may be the first shred-er ever!

[@nightwishlover8913]

I concur! Superb player!

[@markkent294]

Possibly the first example of sweep picking.

[@HollowGolem]

@@markkent294 At least in a mainstream rock group, yeah. Les Paul and Chet Akins were sweep picking back in the 50's.

[@capstan50g]

This song exploded onto the scene in the early '70s and took over the airwaves for a time. Everyone in this band is a virtuoso. Great reaction, Andrew!

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

Actually; It’s a few errors here. Firstly; There’s a myth going around for years, which is false. It is that the song was sped up because of the time slot they had on the TV show. That is actually false. Focus performed the song fast multiple times during the 70’s live shows. It has nothing to do with the TV show. They performed a long song during the same TV show, that was cut down, they played it full. Second; Yes, that’s Thijs van Leer (organ, flute, vocals) and Jan Akkerman (guitar), and yes, it is Pierre van der Linden on drums, and he left the band shortly after this performance. But he came back for a short tour almost two years later, so, he was active in Focus from 1971-1973 and 1975, and on a reunion show in 1990. He came back in 2004, and has played in Focus since then, and still is today, at age 78. Thijs van Leer also still plays in Focus. He was the founder. Jan Akkerman is not friends with Thijs anymore, he hates him, and plays in his own band now, called Jan Akkerman Band. It’s not Martijn Dresden on bass here, Martijn played bass in Focus in 1969-1970. In 1973, it was Bert Ruiter on bass. He was active in Focus in 1971-1978, 1990, 1997-1998, and he died in 2022. If you are wondering, the years Focus has been active is: 1969-1978, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2002-present. A brand new studio album, the first in six years, is set to be released July 5th 2024. This song came out on their second studio album “Moving Waves” in 1971, and it was recorded and released before Bert Ruiter joined on bass. Cyril Havermans plays bass on the album version. I’m a VERY HUGE fan of Focus. I have all albums, and countless bootlegs, and I’m constantly on the lookout for more. A new studio album comes soon, and I can’t wait. I have seen them live 10 times, and soon it will be 12.

[@buzzbomb67]

Thanks for the clarification! I do try to find the proper lineups but bands like this, with a lot of changes, arent easy to nail down. Good to have an expert to ensure the facts are straight. Regarding the doing it faster, for the show, yes, they performed it even faster than this, on occasion. That doesnt mean the story is false, just that theyd likely have done it fast anyway, and since most of the fast performances are on tv shows, it makes me wonder if, perhaps, they worked it out at that speed, just for the purpose of those limited time slots on tv shows.

[@pauljones4755]

Their album Moving Waves is awesome, bought it when I was in school!!!

[@chrisjones-vu7he]

me too i still have it

[@billsanderson1442]

I wore out my copy of Focus 3 and was able to find a replacement in a used record store. Their albums were very hard to find here in Canada.

[@dehro]

first act (possibly only act, but don't quote me on this) to get a standing ovation on that show.

[@davidbonar5190]

The Midnight Special: "We need you to go to 11." Hocus Pocus: "Hold our beer..."

[@danhurley2274]

Exactly!

[@Jimmy-ih1kj]

And rappers think the play music, These guys absolutely amazing 🤩

[@elarsh24]

Television studio audiences had to not interrupt performances while the band plays live for the best produced show.

[@leonelsjanofwipper3418]

Thijs is originally a classically trained flutist and organ player.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Have to be trained with those chops

[@YnseSchaap]

He's also very very friendly, guy just doesn't shut up 😁

[@jglasernyc]

Pierre Van der Linden rejoined them several times and is their current drummer.

[@sammarsh3679]

I'm a huge Focus fan, even having the good fortune of spending time with Thijs on a cruise ship. He's loads of fun even in his 70's. Check out Eruption for an extended workout covering many genres. Sylvia is great to hear them get funky and melodic. La Cathedral de Strasburg is quiet and beautiful. Hamburger Concerto is restrained and heavy. Vocals are pretty sparse and usually weird, an artifact of Thijs' strong Dutch accent that he likes to hide on record. They can do it all.

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

I’m a huge Focus fan as well. Seen them live 10 times, soon to be 12 times. I’m friends with the band members as well. Can’t wait for their new album released in July.

[@TM-721]

A couple of years ago Thijs van Leer played this song in Tilburg (The Netherlands) with Transatlantic, featuring Mike Portnoy on drums. I was there, fantastic as well! It's on KZbin by the way

[@donnelson6694]

I used to love this song but I must admit Thijs van Leer's yodeling, scat and whistling always made me laugh out loud. When I saw this performance(and his facial expressions), I laughed even harder.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I think you HAVE to be animated to do this!

[@PK_Mega_Awesome]

I saw Focus in 2019 and they were still amazing. At one point Thijs played one tune on the organ with one hand, played a different melody on the flute and SANG a third melody all at the same time!! and he is now in his 70s

[@mvunit3]

The audience may be dead, but here in the U.S., there are no shows like this anymore :(. This show was "Hosted" by "Gladys Knight & the Pips" (they had a different host each show), so this was the line-up for the night: Gladys Knight & the Pips - Daddy Could Swear I Declare Focus - Hocus Pocus Stories - Mammy Blue B.B. King - To Know You Is to Love You Gladys Knight & the Pips - Heavy Makes You Happy Focus - Sylvia Chris Smither - Mail Order Mystics Earth, Wind & Fire - Evil Gladys Knight and B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone B.B. King - How Blue Can You Get? Stories - Brother Louie Gladys Knight & the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia Focus - House of the King Earth, Wind & Fire - Power Wolfman Jack and Monda - Ling Ting Tong Focus - Focus III Firstly, amazing they let Focus do 3 songs! But look at the variety of music! Can you imagine a show that had; Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Opeth, Aurora, Bjork and Meshuggah? Or whatever combination you could think of. It seems that this type of show will never happen again (or Don Kirchners Rock Concert, ABC's In Concert) here in the U.S., as everything is catered to just "Pop"/Top 40, R&B and-or Rap/Hip-Hop. (With few exceptions) the "musician" is hardly ever featured on prime time television, or late-night for that matter (though current Conan 'O Brien and past Late Night with David Letterman shows had a variety of music, as you know Andrew). - Seems people overseas are more open to variety. I'm sure people will mention Music Variety Shows around the world that still have variety of music that caters to all tastes.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

These tv shows are wonderful time capsules

[@THESALMON8TR]

I never get tired of seeing people react to this amazing song!!!!!!!!!🤣❤👍

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

This is so good

[@billsanderson1442]

A local DJ in my home town loved "Elspeth of Nottingham" by Focus, so I went out to find the album it was on. The song was probably their only radio friendly track, and I was not sure about the music on the rest of the album. But it grew on me and introduced me to the jazz-prog fusion and led me to look up both prog rock (Yes, Rush) and jazz (Chic Corea, Moe Koffmann).

[@buzzbomb67]

Its been said that this is the only standing ovation, ever, on that show, and rightfully so. I HIGHLY recommend watching Lolli Wren’s reaction to this on her channel @TheFairyVoiceMother. Absolute GOLD! Cracks me up every time! And yes, Elizabeth HAS done this song, and its a LOT of fun!

[@richardharrold9736]

And breaks out her own flute! Lolli's reaction to Jinjer's Pisces is also wonderful - a perfectly-timed intake of tea leading to the perfect spit-take!

[@buzzbomb67]

@@richardharrold9736 Right?! Great stuff :)

[@mihalyzentai9868]

One of the best ever live performance in the history of rock.❤

[@hairychris444]

Saw these guys a few years ago. Went in blind as some friends were supporting. The drummer was same guy as here... utter monster, even 40-odd years later. Prog band but all serious jazz guys.

[@uffecla]

we loved them in the 70:s...really really great band,

[@BoondockRoberts]

I am thankful the audience was that way for this song. To many Midnight Special live performances are screwed up because of audience clapping along like OCD seals. This "shut up and listen" to a legendary performance is great.

[@shallowlord]

The drummer is back in the band

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

That's cool!

[@buzzbomb67]

Apparently hes come and gone a few times lol

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

Pierre van der Linden the drummer has been in the band 1971-1973, 1975, 1977 (in 1977 as a substitute, because the drummer at that time didn’t show up for one concert), 1990, 2004-present. He’s now 78 years old.

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

@@buzzbomb67 Pierre van der Linden the drummer has been in the band 1971-1973, 1975, 1977 (in 1977 as a substitute, because the drummer at that time didn’t show up for one concert), 1990, 2004-present. He’s now 78 years old.

[@markkent294]

Thoroughly bonkers, and totally marvelous!

[@Robert_Herring]

Elizabeth did this as a Patreon exclusive.

[@wjl2601]

Focus in their haydays, a legendary Dutch band with no real leadsinging and not many hits, and yet very succesful, known all over the world for a few years. How can that be? Top shelf musicians with a very original oeuvre!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Not commercial enough

[@worblyhead996]

When I saw Deep Purple during their Perfect Strangers "reunion" tour, Someone on the crew played "House of the King" during the changeover from the opening band to Deep Purple which I thought was suprisingly cool. I believe I read something at the time that Ritchie Blackmore admired Jan Akkerman's playing. Jan also had a few Lute based albums back in the day.

[@wjl2601]

@@worblyhead996 Akkermans collegae's admired and praised his skills and tone highly.

[@grayghost5143]

Saw them November 13, 1973 at the Orpheum in Boston. They opened for Wishbone Ash - or maybe the other way around. Some of those nights are a little hard to remember.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I bet... LOL

[@richardn8866]

I remember those days, when the drummer was the metronome and everyone had a good sense of timing. What makes this version so impressive is they've been playing this song regularly at one tempo, but to change it up for one single performance is amazing. I commend them on keeping to the integrity of the song as a complete piece of music. Thanks Andrew.

[@lucymacdonald7601]

The unedited studio version is so much better. Love this song!

[@DerEchteBold]

But that's too slow, didn't they always play it this fast from then on, because it's just so much better uptempo?!

[@LV426CX1]

For years I thought this was a Michael Fath (solo guitarist) original. Then later I discovered Focus and their super album,Moving Waves. This album from 71 is so ahead of its time, sounds more like 80’s 90’s metal than late 60’s early 70’s British prog. The instrumental in that album can give Dance of Eternity a run for its money, specially when you consider that it was recorded 50 years ago. Go listen 2 it, you’ll love it!

[@diedzjeeoudshoorn7726]

They were phenomenal. So long ago. The energy and musicianship blows you away. Thijs did a guest appearance in Ayreon. Love to see him there as well. If you don't know Ayreon. Please check them out !

[@JimmyRJump]

It was the last song of the TV-show and the band played the tune at almost double speed to get it done before the end-titles.

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

That’s wrong. They performed it first. The last song was «Focus 3» with «Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!», with the end-titles going over the screen during Answers? Questions!… That they performs «Hocus Pocus» fast because of the show is a false myth. They performed the song fast around that time. In 1973-1976, it was performed fast.

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

Seen this live in 1972. Thank God we were all stoned then. 🤣

[@levvellene570]

I just LOVE seeing first-time reactions to this song/performance! If I could get a piece of whatever-kind-of-money for every time I first see the eyebrows rise, then see the mouth open? I'd be rich!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Haha! You bet!

[@SGTDread12]

It's the acid baby. That's the secret LOL

[@pieter-jandingemans2812]

At 12'25: "Some of it is humourous" is spot on. Thijs van Leer called it "Muzikale humor" (=musical humour.) To name the song "Hocus pocus" by the Focus was a joke for the radio dj's to introduce the song.

[@selmonb921]

By the way, that ride tom is a 9" x 14" i believe only Premier made that size. His kit was Birch with Beechwood glue rings! I had the African Mahogany 3-ply with the thick beechwood glue rings from 1971

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

NICE!

[@MilesTippett]

If you want something almost equally mind blowing, check out The Tielman Brothers - Rollin Rock Live 1960! No spoilers, but they were about 6 years ahead of Hendrix in some aspects!!!

[@andrewplumb6544]

Had the good fortune to see Focus in 1972. Awesome musicianship and just about spoilt me for live music for decades until I found jazz properly.

[@randar1969]

The people there was asked to stay quiet as it was recorded. In 1973 they didn't had the technology to noise cancel the public. Besides the public being loud, would only have spoiled their focus (prun intended). As it is a technical difficult song to perform live at that speed. If you look at the live performance of for example deep purple same thing public not making a beep. Nowadays production crew can ask the public to stay still and it just wouldn't work different time...

[@owlietowlie4015]

this was the song we listened when we w/ our band went to tour gets adrenaline flowing and belief in yourself nothing is impossible. Love it!

[@jimtatro6550]

This is one of the songs from my childhood that inspired me to become a drummer in the first place. Wipeout is another.

[@jeffreyhansen8771]

Went to see concert where FOCUS was the headliner. Guess who the intro band was? Chick Corea and Return to Forever. Crazy. Later went to a midnight show where the intro band for them was Gentle Giant. Middle of FOCUS performance people started chanting "Bring back the Giant."

[@chabirandjeanmarc7032]

crazy mind blowing out of this world

[@TeemarkConvair]

loved it from the first,,it's never too late to discover new music, regardless of how old it may be

[@alphacrusis2632]

I'm amazed that you have never heard of Focus or this song. Jan Akkerman was shredding even before shredding became a thing. I was listening to focus during the 1970's and that was in NZ. Hocus Pocus was being played on the radio all the time, but alas they were highly under-rated.

[@fractaljack210]

The best breakdown of this song I've c9me across. Great reaction...

[@raymondholyhead720]

I remember seeing Focus live in the UK what a great band

[@colingoode3702]

Fast forward 52 years & I saw Focus live at the Stables in Milton Keynes last Sunday. Whilst I'm not a prog rock fan per-say I do appreciate a good musician & the current line up of Focus are great musicians. The founder of Focus Thijs van Leer is now in his late 70's & can still impress with his flute, vocal & keyboard skills. He can't quite hit the high notes or whistling he did in this midnight Special track but he can still cut a rug as they say. The current line up is great & particular Pierre van der Linden on drums, Menno Gootjes on lead guitar & Menno Gootjes on bass. It took me back to my mid teenage years when I heard them play Hocus Pocus & Silvia for the first time. Memories.

[@andrevandervlies5700]

Nice post, Colin, but I think you meant "Udo Pannekeet on bass". Menno only has two arms after all.😋

[@colingoode3702]

@@andrevandervlies5700 Ha Ha. Cut & paste error there I suspect. Thanks for the correction👍

[@sharko_2052]

I love this song

[@apctest8359]

A lot of the old TV recordings specifically told the crowd to stay silent during the performance. Not sure if the case here but I know it was common

[@michaelahanti9189]

I was a kid when this was in the charts, but never really appreciated it until I seen this

[@virago496]

The midnight special (tv show) only allowed them 4 minutes to play this song. Originally it was nearly 7 minutes long and the band did not want to play only half of it, so they sped up.

[@NickAskew]

I've seen this live a couple of times in my home country of the Netherlands.

[@Tarkus_]

"I really don't know what I'm about to listen to." Congrats on giving the most understated statement ever on KZbin! This performance is iconic for a reason, but the studio version was a pretty big hit. I wish they could have played it "normally," because the speeded up version is a bit more comical than the original. It almost feels like a parody.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

lol! Loved it all the same

[@cuoresportivo155]

@@AndrewRooneyDrums It was originally their warm-up routine before performances, but was so popular it turned into a track.

[@mrgmusicclass]

Charismatic Elizabeth did this on Patreon. She's awesome

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

I need to check that out!

[@MsBenlane]

as one who can only manage a sort of hiss i admire his whistling. wow.

[@mbk337]

Been a while since I checked into the channel. Holy hell did I come back to a banger. My dad and I were literally just talking about this song the other day. This is my favorite version of the song by far. My dad always loved the guitar and I always loved the drums. Cheers!

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Welcome back!

[@freonxkipper]

"trades" is called vier-om-vier in the Netherlands. check uit this song in the original pace or Thijs van Leer's solo album introspection. I think one in three households in the Netherlands mid seventies had this album.

[@wendycrawford1792]

One of my favourite bands from the early 70’s!!! I adore this song! One of their songs is particularly melodic and beautiful, especially if you want to hear their diversity. It’s called ‘Sylvia’. The guitarist who quit the band after this stated that he was the greatest guitarist in the world! Having said that, l can’t say enough about this brilliant band. Another Dutch band, called ‘ Exception’ is also one of my favourites! They will blow your mind. In one song in particular, they play a massive organ in a church that is astounding! I truly hope you will check my suggestions out. Thank you .

[@soppdrake]

Have the vinyl album "Moving Waves" where this song starts off the list. Incredible band. Hadn't seen this version so thanks for the upload!

[@arjankremer8229]

Still listen to this once a month and other dutch bands of that time.

[@jonmccormick602]

I saw Focus at London’s Finsbury Park Rainbow in 1973. The gig was recorded for a live album. Absolutely terrific. Akkerman was, and still is, one of the greatest guitarists ever. He and Thijs van Leer had a falling out which resulted in Akkerman quitting just before a UK tour in, I think, 1976. He was replaced by another great guitarist in Philip Catherine. I saw this line up (with David Kemper on drums). It was good, but the absence of Akkerman was obvious when the band were playing some of the older Focus material. There are some good clips on KZbin of the “classic” line up on The Old Grey Whistle Test. I think it’s already been pointed out, but Bert Ruiter is the bass player in the featured clip. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago.

[@jeffking4176]

Still performing ‼️

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Fantastic

[@CanadianTimeLord]

Amazed to see Gowron had a musical career before becoming Chancellor of the Klingon High Council 🤣

[@voiceover2191]

It is indeed a legendary performance of a legendary band that however never really made the big time internationally, even though indeed the band's musicianship is extraordinary. They were the main prog rock band at the time from the Netherlands together with the band Ekseption (also with a legendary keyboard player).

[@cegalleta]

the legend says they only had time for half the song, so they played the song twice as fast lmao

[@emfer3010]

Thanks, Andrew, best reaction so far I've seen. Acknowledging the musicianship of these guys to pull this song off LIVE. They could have easily shortend it, but chose to speed it up. Not an easy thing to do. Jan Akkerman was voted by the readers of Melody Maker (british music magazine) best guitar player in the world in 1973.

[@palantir135]

You can see Thijs playing the flute in The electric castle live and other tales by Ayreon. World famous Jan Akkerman plays the guitar.

[@eddiepierce7028]

Sit down and listen to the Hamburger Concerto completely. These people are so underrated!!

[@danhurley2274]

I didn't get to see them in their heyday back in the 70's but I did get to see them on Cruise To The Edge several times. One of those Cruises featured a reformed original line up. They were amazing. They are still out there touring.

[@AndrewRooneyDrums]

Incredible they're still going

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

And a new album is coming on July 5th

[@erickvermeulen9734]

Focus still performed past years, with both Thijs van Leer (Thais van Lear as pronunciation) and Pierre van der Linden. I think in their best line-up Bert Ruiter played the bass, and Jan Akkerman is incredible, still performing with his band and an accomplished lute player. As flute player, Thijs van Leer also recorded more classical records with the Metropole Orchestra with director Rogier van Otterloo. Check it out, that orchestra has won Grammies, played Bacharach songs and even worked with Steve Vai 🙂

[@ricktreat]

I remember when this song was a hit. Never saw this performance until a couple of years ago, as I was not permitted to stay up that late back in the day. I couldn't believe that they could play it that fast. I don't know if it's good or not, but it's always been a lot of fun to hear.

[@ginamarandino6451]

Thank you so much for that description of the backstory I never understood why the song was so sped up! I heard the original prior to this and I never quite understood why they did it.

[@Elias_Veine_Wiig]

That’s a myth that is not true. They played it fast through the 70’s, because they wanted to.

[@WishForTheNight]

Omg Elisabeth from The Charismatic Voice has not yet seen this! Andrew this is awesome since i'm dutch and love this great reaction. Pronouncing dutch names is not easy for non dutch speakers.

[@buzzbomb67]

She DID do this song! A VERY fun reaction :)

[@WishForTheNight]

@@buzzbomb67 oh i missed it i guess, thanks so much

[@monsteris]

She did Patreon exclusive

[@WishForTheNight]

@@monsteris that explains it all thanks

[@buzzbomb67]

@@monsteris I think so, initially, but its available on her regular channel too, now.

[@dkelban]

They were THE hard rock group of the time. Another big hit: "Sylvia", be sure to have a listen

[@wendycrawford1792]

Yes, l suggested Sylvia……shows their diversity!

[@dkelban]

@@wendycrawford1792 absolutely.

[@jeroenschoondergang5923]

Both Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page have admitted that they went to Focus concerts in the early seventies to gasp at the phenomena that was (and still is) Jan Akkerman. Brian May is also a huge Jan Akkerman fan.

[@martinaalderink7773]

Jan Akkerman played with Paco De Lucia. I mean, that should say it all. It`s on youtube.

[@Alvvays667]

@Andrew Rooney Drums 🐙Elizabeth has done this one as a Patreon Exclusive. And yes, she was "floored" (without having Floor Jansen in the video) with lot's of giggles.

[@ntuinlisbon]

I have seen this video many times over the last years and it always fullfills me with joy. So fun to watch. In my opinion one of the best live performeces you can find here on KZbin. They were some of the best musicions to origin from Holland. Nice to see it apear here in one of your reaction videos.

[@Eurynomea]

You literally just watched the Birth of prog rock. I would get into so much trouble for sneaking out of bed to watch The Midnight Special & Don Kirchner's Rock Concert (I was in elementary school then). My parents finally gave up when Monty Python became a thing here in the US, lol. I was in junior high school by then and at least it was the weekend.

[@AlfUckhamHall]

House of the King is sublime.

[@svac01]

It’s MAD but it’s GREAT