Focus - Hocus Pocus (Denmark, 1975)

Dutch prog rock band "Focus" playing live in Denmark, 1975.
Line-up:
Thijs van Leer: organ, flute, electric piano, ARP Solina & vocals
Jan Akkerman: electric guitar
Bert Ruiter: bass guitar
Colin Allen: drums
Original video:
• Video
Original uploader:
/ jan akkerman
This is for promotional purposes only.
DISCLAIMER: All music and images belong to the their rightful owners.
The credit is theirs alone. I do not own any of the music. Absolutely no copyright infringement intended.

[@shanebush2751]

I've been listening to this for 50 years. And am still convinced that its the most brilliant insane and frightening music i've ever heard. Only true music lovers could appreciate this genius and insanely talented group.

[@WILLPerkle-ui8wr]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT MUSIC, NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO HOW ACE THIS IS.

[@BobHutton]

While it is great, Thijs van Leer's voice doesn't seem to be quite up to it compared to some other recordings I've heard. Also I don't find the drumming matches that of Pierre van der Linden.

[@BraveNewWhirled]

​@@BobHuttonAbsolutely agree, Pierre Van der Linden is back with Van Leer, they are still performing, saw them a few months ago, Van der Linden's drumming is still fantastic, got to meet them after the gig, it was a fabulous evening of music.👍🏻👍🏻

[@peterd6732]

Great music!!

[@WilliamOllari-yt5km]

Very true

[@abboed.4076]

I've seen Jan Akkerman a number of times, but one time remains pretty memorable. I walked past a bar, with a band playing live, while suddenly hearing this superhuman like solo. I thought 'Who the hell is that?! That can't just be an ordinary guitar player..' and walked in. It wasn't. Turned out to be Jan Akkerman & band, just playing for free as a surprise. 😎

[@gaz0463]

The most genius piece of musical nonsense ever created. Brilliant!

[@Tonicwine999]

its unmatched

[@kamilfingr371]

It's called avantgarde

[@Hawgfrog]

Agreed. I miss the days when people actually made music.

[@MrWALLY-gi6yk]

When I first heard this on AM radio in 1974 as a 17 year old teenager I didn't know what the hell this dude was singing but I loved it. Almost 50 years later I still don't what the hell he's singing and I still love it!

[@surferbri5346]

And Lizzo isn't nonsense??

[@rogerkoob9904]

it's a crime that Jan akkerman never got the noteriety he should have ...his playing is so unique and his total approach is so out of the box . he doesn't play anything like anyone else. ..he's peerless ...

[@brianhammer5107]

he's a good guitarist, but "peerless"??? c'mon!!!

[@trondrew]

@@brianhammer5107 from 1973 - 1975 he was very much considered one of the greatest guitarists in the world, and one of the best European jazz-rock guitar players still, 50 years later.

[@brianhammer5107]

@@trondrew the term used was "peerless" - and yes, I was there, and even saw him pre-Focus in concert ... remember not to try and teach your dad how to count quid

[@trondrew]

@@brianhammer5107 One of the greatest can sure also get pretty darn close to peerless, dad.

[@brianhammer5107]

@@trondrew that's just it - he wasn't - I like his music immensely, and he's a very talented player - but he just isn't in the same league with Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, (pre-1972) Clapton, Fripp, Howe, etc. etc. etc. ... Focus had only one massively selling album (Moving Waves) and his solo albums were fringe sellers, therefore his influence was not that great on other guitarists or in musicology. That said, I'd always put him in the top 20. But 'fanboy' adoration does not equal his true place in music history. And btw, I'd listen to Akkermann over so-called starts like EVH any day of the week.

[@commonsensehill372]

Akkerman was ahead of his time back then and still rocks great to this day. This is still one of my all time favorite tunes.

[@harrykadaras9459]

He had the musical theory down pat, and his technique could rival any jazz master - that part was easy for him. He loved to clown around, especially when he was bored.. bored...just a guy who had full mastery of the instrument. Those insanely fast runs, they were not gimmicky licks, just super creative runs which are way harder....so creative...pure genius to create stuff like that.

[@paulsaxo8754]

Jan Akkerman was, and is one of the greatest technical guitarists ever - flawless ear, rhythm, timing, and shredding (a child prodigy). But four virtuoso performers - so tight, so completely in control, and so relaxed they look as if they are messing around in a garage, or down in the pub. Saw them in 1977, and they were just like this. Didn't last, but their best live performances are among the best around.

[@dollhaus1]

this whole song cracks me up. why?coz it's pure genius musicianship, and comedy between thijs and jan.

[@jasonfraker7073]

An almost demonic rock anthem

[@drivinsouth651]

I like the 1973, 4 1/2 minute, live, version that got a standing ovation just a little better cause it is smokin`! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWXSpoN9fLF8bLM

[@ArkyMalarkey]

Tom Bergere : Agreed, that version simply can't be topped, and not in the least thanks to the irreplaceable Pierre v.d. LInden on drums. Colin Allen does his best, but isn't even close, let alone a cigar.

[@juarezrezendearaujo7841]

​@@ArkyMalarkey collin Allen very good!

[@ArkyMalarkey]

@@juarezrezendearaujo7841 : Colin Allen did what he could, but couldn’t hold a candle to the one and only Pierre van der Linden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWXSpoN9fLF8bLM

[@CosmicHighwayPatrol]

Damn, that ending... Jan looks like a guy who should be snarffing down hot dogs at a Steelers game back in the mid 70's, but also has incredible fretwork and stage presence... something just doesn't compute with these guys in this day and age, and I love 'em for it.

[@arthurkornblum9771]

"Focus"maintaines to be the greatest Rock 'n' Roll technicians of all time. Talent like this comes once in a lifetime, and I'm glad it was in my lifetime. They will never be forgotten. How could they???

[@barroncrist5779]

One of the best guitarists ever, Jan Akkerman.

[@wellingtonramos5777]

Thjis Van Leer, Jan Akkerman, Bert Ruiter and Pierre Van Der Linden... Great Band From de golden 70's. Good times!!!

[@dibber43]

This band should've been bigger than they were. A talented bunch of musicians, they were.

[@cathybutler1230]

Might have been if they had a lead singer the masses could've stomached!

[@jangelderloos2211]

@@cathybutler1230 they did, when the band was called Brainbox with and amazing Kazimirz Lux as vocalist. Look it up. Album name Brainbox songs Summertime and Reason to Believe for example.

[@pekkatervala8476]

Improvisation on the next level! Jan Akkerman is fantastic. In Finland at '70's this was the theme song on national TV music program hosted by a popular singer/songwriter.

[@plasteckfly]

Just brilliant! Keyboardist has impressive vocal (and whistling!) range!

[@JJONNYREPP]

Dunno.... the guitarist looks like he'd be yer best mate, drummer also looks tasty with his fists, bassist's been waylaid in the bogs with a joint and keyboardist, he looks like he'd be far too difficult to catch.

[@jangelderloos2211]

Not sure where you all were living at the time, but I, born and raised in A'dam, loved the early Akkerman days with Kaz Lux as vocalist and Pierre van der Linden on drums in the precursor to Focus: a band called Brainbox. Thijs van Leer was to Brainbox what Yoko Ono was to the Beatles. For the fans of "THE" best Dutch band of the era: Brainbox! Listen to their version of Summertime and you'll agree!

Jan Ackerman was very underrated guitarists

[@iqi616]

He wasn't underrated back in the day (especially in the early seventies when everyone seemed to be arguing over who was the fastest guitarist - yawn) but he seems to have been forgotten over the years which is a great pity.

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

iqi616 ...........not by me, saw him a few years ago, still plays with rhythm and precision

[@speciosasaves3579]

This guitarist is fucking the best there is.

Underrated???? Nonsense...he is worldwide recognized..

[@tailnotale]

💛As if the original arrangement wasn't insane enough they go and stretch it out to this level of madness 💪

[@olikane530]

Listened and watched in awe since aged 14 am 64 now and its still same effect, remarkable voice and performance 🎸 🎤

[@thepaingainer]

Finally a song with lyrics I can repeat.

[@friedrich1957]

Still gets my blood going after all these years!

[@stephenjacks8196]

So the words are the same in the Engllish and Danish versions.

[@MattWilson.]

Who would have thought Van Leer was such a proficient polyglot! Lol

[@hcvisser1959]

Stephen Jacks absolutely a universal language! Who knew?

[@ernsthergenbeck872]

But don't you forget the original Dutch version! (but if you're into these things, too: Check out Themroc, a French film never dubbed or subtitled because easily understandable for every one as it is).

[@rifelaw]

Well, you know, Dutch is halfway in between.

[@cherylalikhani5957]

Not sure if he was smokin or tokin but he still sounded awesome and I loved watching the guitarists laugh at his antics. I've never heard him sing this song the same way twice which is making me try to fine every version. This is my favorite so far.

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

I can imagine teenagers from the 70s listening close to the radio while being high as hell listening to this song.

[@rifelaw]

I don't have to imagine.

[@ricknorman5217]

Oh hell yeah!

[@jayrowe6473]

Can you imagine a '70s teenager listening to it on vinyl when it first came out and is now listening to it on KZbin fifty years hence?

[@Grumpyoldman60-]

been there, still doing that

[@janscorpio2323]

@@jayrowe6473 🥲

[@TheWhippetmaster]

I showed this to a couple of music loving youngsters at work, their minds were officially blown.

[@iggyfritz7150]

My God these guys never cease to utterly blow my mind. I thought I had seen every live version of this song until today Absolutely the most amazing Musicians you will ever witness

[@clevertrevor7360]

Extraordinary musicians having fun.

[@TheMrmartind40]

This was the song most people remember, but it was the rest of their material that made them a great band. Van Lear has been my top all around performer as a classical flutist, keyboardist, yodeler, whistler and vocalist. Akerman was and still is one of fastest guitarists in his genre, despite his classical background. I still love this song.

[@brianhammer5107]

what "classical background"? he came from a rock band - Brainbox - he PLAYED some Renaissance music on his albums

[@kimnielsenthewordyvikingett159]

I've always thought 💭🤔 it's horrible that this band has to age!!!! The world will be missing them for eternity!!!☺️

[@harrykadaras9459]

When the LZ fans always proclaim Jimmy Page as "The Best"...I present them this video show them the light...of the great Jan Akkerman. Dude was a much higher level - even back in 1972.

[@pawthecowboycorgi]

My master brought me here. I watch the vids with him on the tube. Sometimes I interact with them.

[@Mellon5858]

Jan A. is the perfect example of a moody and grumpy genius with huge insecurity issues. This is why he didn't have half the carreer he could have had, regarding his talent. He's the Vincent van Gogh and George Best of the guitar. And I love him.

[@givdb5513]

insecurity issues who d'fuck is you to talk about a band you don't even know the name of it. The guy is literally the definition of being "out of society" not giving a fuck to anything. You're probably referring to yourself your insecurities. Focus was top band of the 70s ask any hippie

[@tomj6650]

I've admired Jan for fifty years, and got to know him over recent years. He is an exquisitely gifted guitarist and musician, nearly impossible to copy (just try to figure out what he's playing), and really shines when playing his progressive jazz music, especially gypsy jazz. If he looks odd, amused, or bored during the Focus years, well, he rather was. Hocus Pocus was written as a fun inside joke, yet is a really intense piece of guitar music. Plus, he actually is quite the ball-breaker! A good guy.

[@mikejones-go8vz]

I’m sure he would be happy the way his career is going

[@South3West77]

Them ole Dutch boys were as tight as bark a tree. Appreciate the Heavyness of this early 70s classic, just blew me away, back in the day.

[@cynicalmikey8769]

We need a Focus of the 2010s, or 20s! Desperately!

[@briane5706]

There is one! Thijs is still playing on keyboards with Pierre van der Linden on drums.

[@lifeimitatingdeath3608]

And one with the God Mike Portnoy on drums..

[@tonyvandergaag8765]

@@lifeimitatingdeath3608 Actually there is already one ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/epnPZ5ehmLV-p5o

[@Kgio-2112]

They are still performing live and recording new material.

[@rustyshackleford4059]

To all those in the crowd who had their minds melted witnessing this that evening, we salute you \m/ There were no survivors......

[@quickdrawmcgraw450]

This song is awesome! It always and still does stand out above all the rest !

[@terrybirch239]

Brilliant! Moving Waves was the first LP that I bought. I’ve still got it! Jan Akkerman played at a pub in Nottingham (the Running Horse) some years ago but I couldn’t make it. The band tributes at the end are almost identical to Focus Live at the Rainbow, another classic. Thanks for posting, took me right back to my youth!!

[@frankdeutan]

Jan is one of my favorite guitarist I like how he improvise every time he does the live version of some of the songs. Also he looks really chill

[@coconejococonejo]

I'd argue this is the best live version of this song

[@deepzepp4176]

It is very good. The Midnight Special version is just a classic, though. The energy, skill and just pure fun of that version is brilliant.

[@Skorpio420]

​@@deepzepp4176 The Midnight Special performance is pure genius. Take an eight minute song, and play it at double speed to make it fit for tv broadcast. Plus, the reaction videos for that are hilarious!

[@deepzepp4176]

@@Skorpio420 Haha. Spot on. They are hilarious.

[@julioforain9197]

Caraca...consegui ouvi e ver o video dessa música eu era 'muleque' em 1975.....Eu tina esta bolacha de vinil ..fui emprestar e nunca me devolveram...Muito mais tarde consegui novamente o LP....Confesso que gosto de algumas músicas do FOCUS.Essa que ele usa falsete não gosto...Mas com certeza esta banda marcou uma época.....(comentário..desde BRASIL -Rio de Janeiro)

[@JJONNYREPP]

Focus - Hocus Pocus (Denmark, 1975) 1143am 25.9.23 nor am i.... that said.... are they affiliated to all things brummie? the peel lookalike looks like he's had a cheeky livener... billy whizz of whistling... a man condemned by anti focus pressure group cos he was heard whistling...

[@FenderBassDave]

I'm so glad this Exists!!

[@AlmostReady504]

So cool that 'DR- 66' IS BRANDED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE ...... ....said no one ever!

[@armandogaspar7355]

Focus e uma banda sinplesmente extraordinária.

[@BushcraftingBogan]

Pure certified mad genius!

[@jonselby1879]

absolute genesis the best band crazy music still going 😀😀😀😀😀😀

And because all good things in life comes to an end ..focus got to be separated..that Is why this video Is a rare jewel...👍👍👍

[@alangolias8628]

Amazing !!!!!!!!

[@Mecadon1000]

I love thijs crazy guys!

[@tokyosmash]

Could listen to Philip Catherine all day, what a guitar player

[@shamanverse]

Thank you for uploading this gem. They are relaxed and having fun with this piece which is only an intro to a magnificent opus of musical moments.

[@ThePaulv12]

What a great performance. I can't stop smiling.

[@ManuelGomez-eh9sg]

Que buen grupo, lo escucho desde que era joven. Ahora tengo más de 60 años y todavía me gusta. Un abrazo de un chileno

[@ChickenRollz]

What an epic exhibition!

[@EyeDaWitchfinder]

Wow he actually nailed the whistling part.

[@geraldhartley]

I will never understand the disdain Jan seemed to have for this legendary riff. He never wanted to play it properly, as if he was embarrassed to have written it. In reality it is one of the heaviest guitar riffs ever written. He should’ve been proud to play it correctly.

[@wizy6488]

Yeah, that's why I don't mind that Blitzkrieg jacked it

[@sonykroket]

Dude, I hear you.....

[@the_great_gavonne]

It wasn't the riff, it was yodeling that he couldn't stand.

[@ajpicchietti]

WHAT?! lol...this is a terrible taek.

[@iqi616]

Is that why they always played it so fast live that the riff falls out of the pocket and loses its head-bangability?

[@johnsulistyo9856]

Legendary Dutch prog-rock band. First time heard thos when I was at high school in 1970's. And my band always covered this in every performance, but we hardly did the yodelling....

[@djrossetto3992]

Not Dutch, but Netherlands.

[@gonuts4donuts]

@@djrossetto3992 it's the same damn thing. the demonym of The Netherlands is Dutch

[@straycat7247]

I wanna go Dutch! Awesome version!

[@dutchviper2952]

R.I.P. Bert Ruiter 🎸

[@billyk5038]

Superb. I've never seen this version.

[@DimitrisKambanos]

The best playing

[@zeljkopavlovic6963]

Amezing performens!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@manugrandest1683]

Masterpiece , un morceau fabuleux d'un groupe incroyable . Dommage qu'ils n'ont pas fait des albums durant les années 80,

[@marcoaugusto7553]

2019...e dificilmente alguma banda fará algo parecido!...toooop!

[@dagdunesbury8570]

Krazy Guitar Riffs by Jan Akkerman the Dutch Axe Master!!!

[@carlsam1516]

Fantastic

[@eddycurrant1380]

best version i have seen

[@Hodongji]

This song is marvelous..

[@georgewilliamson7499]

On the best songs you have ever known only saw once one of the best bands in the world

[@lkj2727]

Organ, and flute, Thijs van Lee- yiiiiiiii yiiiiiii yiiiiiiiiiii yiiiiiii yiiiiiii yiiiiiiiii yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[@buska100]

Excellent Performance

[@carlwells9504]

The blunt smoking during the song is fantastic 😂

[@carlospalacios7193]

Beautiful!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@usdave2115]

you tube won't let me like it even more

[@blu203]

Rock and Roll baby!!!!

[@charlesallen9693]

This was very good.

[@andrewdown6234]

FANTASTIC 1970s ...and Relaxed we was......

[@richardmorton4762]

great stuff!! 😦😮😯😲😱🎵🎶

[@josemartinezbermudez245]

No hay ni habra otro artista como tjis van leer unico como el ultimo de los dodos

[@dietmarsimon]

Intellectual and musical excellence !

[@drumstick74]

Back when music was *real* & the band skills were superior. ♥♫ Thanks for sharing!

[@MrLandale]

Amazing on so many levels...

[@MrAlexxluis]

People need more focus, nowadays.

[@aryanson]

Or a few more tokus

[@lonniemorrison2987]

One of my all time favorite songs. OK maybe not this version.

[@lonniemorrison2987]

OK> Its grows on you.

[@lifeimitatingdeath3608]

Agreed. Absolutely.

[@doctorcraptonicus7941]

I love the way they almost turn into the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at the end.

[@motorbike650]

Goose bumps

[@HansS11160]

Jazzy and relaxed performance in a place as small/big as a large living room 8:01

[@joanndowers5080]

What a jamming good time!!!! Genius and funny at the same time!!!!! Very entertaining!!!!!!

[@PlutoniumBoss]

At first, they were committed to playing this song. Then they were committed for playing this song.

[@luisdiegocarmona938]

GREAT VERSION!!!

[@briane5706]

Jan seems very happy and light hearted. It wasn't long before he left Focus when he and van Leer fell out after Hamburger Concerto. No doubt they have great respect for each other as brilliant musicians, but not personally. I believe Colin Allen is on drums as Pierre van der Linden has left the band previously.

[@BrianRAlex]

Just listen to van Leer's presentation of the members at the end of the song.

[@andzwe]

Especially the way he's reacting to Van Leer's introduction, with his guitar, is rather cynical, I think. There was indeed respect on a musical level but that didn't include the yodeling and the success Van Leer had with his Introspection albums, which Akkerman and the Focus fans considered to be muzak or elevator music.

[@WilliamL.PilgerJr.-bq1pb]

🎸 JAN ACKERMAN 😎 GUITAR SHREDDER Weed Me

[@guardianangel9517]

I got here on accident. NEVER seen or heard anything like this🤪

[@RayyMusik]

Watch Thijs van Leer at 0:51! :D

[@HansS11160]

When smoking was still COOL and Thijs (sounds a bit like Tice von Lear) was taking his time during Jan's jazzy intro. Jan sounds like Yan and Bert Ruiter (bass) sounds a bit like Bert Ruyter. Colin Allen (drums) sounds like Colin Allen....

[@grandpahilly]

Rayy‘s Musikladen we quite like Colin Peter must has been a hard act to follow

[@LesterBrunt]

Hans S Why does smoking have to be so terrible for your health 😭😭😭

[@johnshort5003]

@@LesterBrunt Pork pies, alcohol and motor bike racing are also bad for your health, and pesticides and fracking but nobody seems to care. Only smoking is the big sin.

[@MrJohnnyg1962]

Anybody else notice the guitarist "tapping" at 14:51? I used to do this back in the 70s/80s and everybody thought I was weird... now it's mainstream!

[@rikuzenith]

This is a 100% accurate description of what ADHD feels like. Hocus pocus, you've now lost your focus.

[@penninepagan]

Love thijs puffing away, imagine that today

[@aryanson]

At least it wasn't tobacco

[@phoarey]

Saw this band twice in Brisbane, Australia. First time great. Second time Jan Akkerman's guitar buggered up and he spent most of the concert trying to fix it while the band laboured on without him. Most unprofessional thing I've experienced from a major international band.

[@mrwilliecowie]

Yoh ! and the audience at the start looked pretty young but then again it was the super seventies, and what do the youth of today listen to now ? Back in 75 me and me pals went to a Rush movie at the Festival hall Corby, they had a support band for the interval a bunch of nutters from Aussie Land called AC / DC !

[@voiceshow9]

Considering Eddie's Dutch roots, he had to have heard about Jan Akkerman. In-freakin-credible.

[@marinahansen5964]

I miss the 70’s…

[@oscarmorosini8630]

Super❤