Focus - Hocus Pocus Live '73 Reaction/Review

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

I laugh my ass off every time I see someone reacting to this song.

[@scottkew6278]

ME TOO!!! This thing is a one of a kind....it is .......rock......but I would say it was the first real piece of METAL along with just talented CRAZINESS....why? Because they could!!!

[@AndrewOrtizAO]

"Hold up. Let me look up the lyrics to this song." LOL

[@LogiForce86]

I looked it up for giggles and then went... "yeah, that's what she said". 🤣

[@ExtremelyOCD]

@@LogiForce86 Oh my God, that's friggin' hilarious!!! Spoiler alert!!! [Interlude 1] Ôi orôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorô poPÔ Yôi orôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorô PoPÔ Aaaah aaah aaah aaah Uuuh oooh oooh ooooooooh [Interlude 2] Ôi orôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorô poPÔ Yôi orôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorô BoumPÔ Aaaah aaah aaah aaah Uuuh oooh oooh ooooooooh [Interlude 3] Tatrrrepôtetretrepiecôã-é-é-ô-hã-hén-Hén Ôi trégueregué-dôi detêro deguedô A tataro teguereguedaw Teguereguedêro dêdow Ô-Éhr-Ôhr-Êhr-Êhr-Áhr-Ó Hé Hã He How [Interlude 4] Ãi erêrãi rãrãrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorô poPÔ Yôi orôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi rôrôrôi ohrorôm PomPÔ Aaaah aaah aaah aaah Uuuh oooh oooh ooooooooh

[@martinbailey3259]

😄

[@keefsmiff]

Pmsl...brilliant

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Please note that the guitarist was the GOAT for many guitarists for his shredding. No one was doing that in those days and he is SOOOOO good. He played this differently all the time so it was not just a rehearsed solo, he played with it each time. As many people focus on the yodeling, be amazed by the drums and guitar.

[@inekebaalman3320]

Jan Akkerman was named best guitarist in the world by English music magazine Melody Maker in 1973!

[@HollowGolem]

"Hey, that sweep picking thing great jazz guitarists do? What if I did that in rock." - Jan Akkerman

[@daveadams3692]

They were only given 4 minutes to perform an originally 8 minutes long song, so rather than cut half of the song out, they performed the WHOLE song at TWICE the normal speed (in double time)!!!

[@robertdevries2045]

@skill level 1 million!

[@FocusVideoArchive]

They did not perform the whole song. Some parts are left out of this version - the long breathless yodel and the band introductions, which is also a part of the song when performed live.

[@farmhome904]

Four minutes? BREAK OUT THE EMERGENCY COCAINE!!!

[@scottgelb2650]

I give you a lot of credit. I've watched many reacters do this song and most just couldn't fit it into their reality. This is a crazy song for a crazy world and still one of my lifetime favorites. I used to air drum the hell out of this with a big grin on my face. And that standing ovation the audience gave them at the end tells you all you need to know about my generation.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Focus!!! And they’re still around today!!!

[@christopheryochum3602]

Not just the drums, but listen to the modal-scale notes the guitarist flies through with his eyes closed. Way better than a lot of rock guitarists who do the typical rock solos, this guy obviously is VERY conversant with jazz theory and kills it to death. If you listen to the studio version, he just stays "rock," but on this live version, he jazzes it up.

[@avanoosterhout8397]

"this guy" is Jan Akkerman. A Dutch guitarist who was named Best Guitarist In The World by Melody Maker magazine in 1973, the year of this performance.

[@christopheryochum3602]

@@avanoosterhout8397 This is great information. I was just telling my brother about him because I get tired of the same guys coming up in conversations, mainly from people who've never studied jazz, which I have. Jan Akkerman! I like it. Thanks!

[@sjoerdmeijer1]

@@christopheryochum3602 Jan Akkerman man is stil playing ,lissen to the Jan Akkerman band the song Streetwalker

[@richardlonnberg7938]

Thijs van Leer covered more than 3 octaves in the second yodeling part. That is out if this world.

[@andreaknapp2394]

This song is crazy! The first time I heard it back in the day I was like....what??? Dude's facial expressions are crazy! But it's definitely entertaining!

[@lynng9618]

It's the only time I've ever seen the audience give a band a standing ovation on the Midnight Special (unless the other shows shown have had the reactions cut off?).

[@joanndowers5080]

Just when you think it can't get no better, it does!! These guys are awesome!!! I love this !!!🤩❤

[@scottkew6278]

Everyone who reacts to this has a GREAT TIME!!!!!

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

Biz thank you for your reaction to this. I love this song especially this live version. It always puts a smile on my face😄. It catches you off guard at first and then you realize you’re really enjoying it.😀👍❤️✌️🌼

[@tvgator1]

They literally played that song at double speed to fit the allotted time they were given that night on that show (MIDNIGHT SPECIAL). To get a full appreciation you really should hear the original which is slower and more meticulously played. But the definitely earned every bit of that standing ovation at the end.

[@robertserrato3596]

I like the way he whistles through that one tooth.

[@spacemaker8760]

He whistle through his two upper front teeth

[@happymethehappyone8300]

ABSOLUTE MUST HEAR CLASSICS,, CANNED HEAT "GOING UP THE COUNTRY" & "ON THE ROAD AGAIN"

[@dipsydoodle7988]

My guy actually looked up the lyrics. 🤣🤣🤣 I.AM.DED 💀☠️👻 For some reason I remember this song giving me the creeps as a child.

[@michaelgilbert197]

Biz KILLS me damn near every reaction!! LMAO!!! He's my top two favorite reactor's, 2nd ONLY to Leo (Mr. Video)!!! :)

[@dipsydoodle7988]

@@michaelgilbert197 he's always funny but this just about killed me! 😂

[@Reno_Slim]

This always reminds me of Andy Kaufman for some reason.

[@jerrysilverman8113]

Jan Akkerman was considered one of the best if not the best guitarist in the world at the time.

[@geraldherrmann787]

musicianship masterclass

[@martinbailey3259]

The organist/yodler/flute player and drummer are still playing in Focus to this day.

[@toddstevens13]

Just released Focus 50 the anniversary edition, and are on a concert tour. Hope they actually come to Canada, if so wherever they are, I am there.

[@tammieparrishmiller3669]

I don't know if you liked it for real or just kinda liked it cause it was different. It's definitely different! I grew up with it so it wasn't all that different for me. I was almost 6 and I was always begging my mom to not turn the car off till the song was over. I've loved music my entire life. Literally couldn't get enough of it. This song just goes hand in hand with that love of music. Another one that comes to mind that you should listen to, and it's nothing like this one, but from that era, and I think I know your taste, or at least I'm learning what you like, so the song is by a band called Stories and the song is Brother Louie. Man, this song goes deep into an interracial relationship and it's got the jams to go with it! I really think you'll dig it.

[@chrisranz2714]

This band was ahead of its time.ll absolutely brilliant

[@flomalheur7467]

At Focus it's always a bit like at Argent. Argent is always reduced to the song "Hold Your Head Up", Focus to the somewhat idiosyncratic song "Hocus Pocus" and maybe "Sylvia" too. Both bands have so much more to offer.

[@lisarainbow9703]

This is the amphetamine version of this song-- double speed. They were brilliant prog musicians, another good song is "Janis"...

[@richardlonnberg7938]

Or Sylvia?

[@lisarainbow9703]

@@richardlonnberg7938 absolutely!! Anything from Moving Waves..

[@bjrnhagen2853]

/its live so they have that tempo

[@scgreek1114]

The studio version was played on the radio a lot when it first came out. It's a little less... um... Wild. It's one of those WTF songs you find yourself humming the next day.

[@cecilkeebler4254]

Yep, Focus has a ton of good stuff. Don't let this particular performance sway your opinion in the wrong way. The lineup on stage are really, really good musicians.

[@nfrick1]

Reactions to Hocus Pocus should be followed by reactions to other songs like Focus II, Love Remembered and Elspeth of Nottingham, in order to show how eclectic this band was.

[@cecilkeebler4254]

@@nfrick1 Agreed. Although Pierre van der Linden isn't on drums, Hamburger Concerto is also wicked good. The KZbin clip from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is a great watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXamZqt3na9shsU

[@lisarainbow9703]

Let me look up the lyrics. 😂😂😂😂

[@johngarcia7774]

I was rolling.🤣

[@dvvecchio7193]

That was better than any lyrics

[@toddstevens13]

There are actual lyrics, no kidding...lol

[@mariaportengen2959]

Focus has many great music. Also listen to Tommy, a great instrumental work, and Sylvia, also a great hit of that Dutch band. Jan Akkerman is a great guitar player. 🎸🎸🎸

[@yampymusic]

Yeah, Tommy and maybe Focus II, as a Focus primer

[@ronstegall2312]

Time for Egger Winters group. "Frankenstein!"

[@parinthianquattropani9071]

For more crazy talent try the live version of Edgar Winter's Frankenstein

[@brucelyon7524]

This song is pure fun

[@DungeonBossTipsundTricks]

Nope. Its genius

[@liys540]

@@DungeonBossTipsundTricks nope ,it's fun and genius

[@DungeonBossTipsundTricks]

@@liys540 indeed agreed

[@jannetteberends8730]

It’s catchy yes, before you know it you are yodelling the whole day

[@happymethehappyone8300]

DOCTOR HOOK & THE MEDICINE SHOW "SYLVIA'S MOTHER"...CLASSIC..TRUTH!!

[@toddstevens13]

9 years of The Midnight Special, only ever Full Audience Standing Ovation. You have to remember in 73 there was no way to see live bands other then in concert or on TMS. It did not start until 1230am Saturday Morning and went to 2am. Parties around North America stopped dead and TV's went on and everyone crowded around.

[@uMe_underground]

I saw this band on Sweden Rock 2017 a think. Hes older now but he had a lot of good songs!

[@coraggio93]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_(band) They're from the Netherlands and still rockin' 50 years later!

[@keefsmiff]

Gotta love that keyboard player...what a character lol

[@sst3d]

What a beautiful reaction….A+ …A+

[@watchbizmatik]

Thank you

[@patrickvecchio8138]

Besides the silliness of the singing,this a cool song and these were great musicians.

[@sst3d]

Humans connecting to humans,….just beautiful

[@MrBonners]

In the 70s European Rock went in a different direction then N.American Rock. Sometimes called Alternate Rock. Germany and Netherlands were hot beds for it.

[@Śħẽĩłã]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I .... I ..... 😂😂😂😂 I .... 😂😂😂 I can’t 😂😂😂😂 I’m 💀 😂😂😂😂😂 💞

[@michaelgilbert197]

Hey sister! Good to see you! I decided to scan the comments BEFORE watching this one cuz I knew this was gonna get a funny reaction from Biz. I just got to your comment and..... I don't need to read anyone else's!!! Your comment SAYS IT ALL!!!! I'm going to watch it right now!! Hehehehe!!! :) P.S.>>>>> SEE MY COMMENT ABOVE..... I gave you a shout out!! lol!! :)

[@Śħẽĩłã]

@@michaelgilbert197 Hey sis!!! I lost it when he said “let me pull up these lyrics” 😂😂😂😂 And then he for real typed it in to try to pull up lyrics!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 That’s when I died 😂😂😂😂

[@michaelgilbert197]

@@Śħẽĩłã I KNOW!! I mean I was already kinda giggling, then he paused and said "let me pull up the lyrics"!!! That was it!! I was taking BIG sip of my soda at that moment and ended up inhaling/choking on it! Spewed soda out my mouth!!! My son happened to come in the room just as it happened and he ended up in tears laughing cuz I was choke-laughing!! BAHAHAHA!!! Biz is awesome!!! :)

[@Śħẽĩłã]

@@michaelgilbert197 oh no!!! 😂😂😂 And yes he is!!! Haha

[@joostprins3381]

Don’t mistake, 3 of them went through conservatory (classic).

[@tehmcfogarty6813]

Gladys Knight, without the Pips,, introduced the band. She & them were “Stars” with great success, including the song,, MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA.

[@scottkew6278]

Regardless of what music you are into you just get into this....TALENTED CRAZY WIERDNESS...but AWESOME!!!!

[@tskend8502]

Great reaction

[@wqnamisanthrope]

In a nutshell: The band were on their first American tour, and had been booked to appear on this show - And, once they got there, they were ambushed with "Your seven-and-a-half-minute song ? You've got four minutes. Chop the song in half. I don't care. Take it or leave it." And the band went "Yeah ? Suck THIS, Mister Big-Shot TV Producer."

[@georgejetson1379]

1 Extra cup of coffee and this highly skilled hot mess inspires me to continue persuing my shower vocals ... 'yo-da lady yo-da-lady yo-da-lady too!'... ' AHH AH AHH AH AHH AHHH AH AHHHHHH !!!!! '... ;)

[@Biofilmz]

Man, that band was HOT. Crazy, but fun!

[@freegracetruthembrace7188]

Virtuosity meets humour .

[@chrismccluren6655]

They wer on a time constraint for there set it was 18 minutes but the live version of the song was about 20 so they played it about 5 times faster and they played the whole song0

[@Eitner100]

An all time karaoke favourite.

[@sst3d]

Yes it’s dope

[@jarisalonen7788]

It is a intresting combination of guitar hero and eh...multi- vocal instrumentalist? Not forgetting the good rhythm section. Lyrics... they can be found from the Alps of Netherlads. Many good records Focus made, and many of them have stayed in time of focus.

[@michaeljimson6918]

This was a strange group even for the 70s lol

[@Orielzolrak]

hello I will say what I think: It is not the drug, nor the madness. It is simply enormous talents, you went on stage and had to play and sing (without autotune or prerecorded music), a singing teacher said in a video everything he does with his voice not just anyone, she was surprised. A solid bass player, a perfect drummer for this band with a Jazz grip, Ian Akkerman a guitar master. And from that base to jump into the void, and fly with a lot of CREATIVITY And you know what, today those horrible, giant record companies don't dare to do anything different! everything is for the dough, better not change and keep making pop for zombies

[@markroberts8864]

Whatever you think of them... you gotta give them a hand!

[@chrismccluren6655]

Yes my brother

[@christoperswinehart7504]

u love that song its funny

[@tehmcfogarty6813]

Back then it was LITERALLY, 1 Take!

[@mauricelaclair1939]

FantAstic!!!!

[@candywright64]

Let's hear ya read those lyrics!

[@michaelgilbert197]

That killed me!!! 😂🤣🤪😵

[@kianpa1]

💕

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

I'm surprised that this was never sampled.....

[@joostprins3381]

There are no lyrics.. lol.. lol… Seeing those reactions makes always my day. Dutch band, Amsterdam.. need more? 🤣

[@bobschenkel7921]

This is what happens when a band has to play a six minute song in four minutes, and they get enough good cocaine.

[@DungeonBossTipsundTricks]

I like this Version more

[@guidosarducci]

Mebbe you should partake of the studio version...just for laffs and giggles...

[@RobRager]

If you haven’t noticed, in the four or five times, in a row you’ve watched it AFTER filming the reaction.. the flute is sitting on top of the organ.

[@voiceover2191]

They made Hocus Pocus as a bit of a goof, little did they know it would become their signature song. Thijs van Leer simply uses his voice as an instrument, so yeah, good luck looking for lyrics. Check out their brilliance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52bg5WLZs2Lq7M

[@harryschonfeld8175]

"Hold up let me look up the lyrics to this song" Lyrics?! 🤪🤣

[@smythharris2635]

The night the Netherlands invaded the USA!

[@helmutkurtneumnn2026]

Focus the dutch Wonder

[@behrhunter1]

This video is speeded up which is a same because it's amazing enough at regular speed

[@maryellenazack4466]

With HALLOWEEN coming, please listen to ALICE COOPER- FEED MY FRANKENSTEIN OR THE BLACK WIDOW. 🕷⚰

[@allanbluzdude]

If you want a good instrumental, check out a live version of Frankenstein by Edgar Winter!

[@CooT317]

Look up the lyrics !!! Ur killing’ me!!!!!

[@watchbizmatik]

😂😂

[@hiridavidfeign]

The first question anyone should ask about ANY band of that era is "What drugs were they on?"

[@chrismccluren6655]

Very technical band

[@michaelgilbert197]

I'm gonna quote Sheila Jenkins (in this comment section)..... 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 I.... I .... 😂🤣😂🤣😂 I 😂🤣😂 I can't 😂🤣😂🤣 I'm 💀 😂🤣😂🤣😂 and add..... 🤣😂🙃😜😵👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👌 P.S... Incase you're wondering, I finally figured out how to edit the name and take my freakin' husband's name off of the youtube acct. So DUMB, I KNOW!!! ;) ;) So now you can clearly see who I am and I don't have to constantly explain that I'm Tina NOT Mike!! (He doesn't do this YT stuff) :)

[@laserbeak3551]

do this in karaoke on a drunk night

[@annejohnston2193]

Its better on studio version , I don't recognize it hardly

[@annejohnston2193]

Gladys

[@JamesTaylor-yh9rl]

rijsk van leer still doing it in 1914

[@simonread8713]

Jan Akkerman is such a ridiculous guitarist. The bit at 6:45 is outrageous.

[@JamesTaylor-yh9rl]

hale and pace the drugs song

[@keefsmiff]

My mate Jake he had some speed eyieyi o

[@bmiamiwai]

Fried brain performance

[@mamaflush9945]

HaHahaHaHaHa!!!

[@jacqueline23788]

yes Jan Akkerman duch man havely classical trained

[@PilloryClinton]

A 1 hit wonder, but what a great jam!

[@TheStraatjutter]

House of the King and Sylvia are also big songs for them

[@annejohnston2193]

Love this crazy ass song , in the trippy days & its like a 1 hit wonder thing , not for me

[@jarisalonen7788]

...or in tme of ears focus.

[@sst3d]

They didn’t speak English….and midnight special gave em 4 minutes or less…so they played it double time…

[@jorgkuijt4735]

Legendary...Please shorten your song we don't have enough time...No problem, we will play it twice as fast.. :D

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Talk about "One Hit Wonder"... I couldn't tell you anything else that this band did... 🤨

[@neillenet291]

There are NO lyrics, LOL.

[@Lewis9709]

Please react to Edgar Winter, Frankenstein.

[@jimmycranier3668]

Band: got a great jam , but , we need lyrics. Singer: hold my beer.

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

80's pretty well sucked.

[@827dusty]

These guys are Norwegian or Swedish or somewhere in Scandinavia. Pretty funny, but actually, a couple of those guys are are world class musicians. The guitar player, and the crazy singer dude is really talented...scary, but talented. I remember when this song came out in the early 70s. Smoking weed and listening to this stuff was pretty entertaining. I stopped smoking pot soon after this. Lol.

[@inekebaalman3320]

They are Dutch!

[@spacemaker8760]

Theyre from The Netherlands not even cloose to scandinavia. And we scandinavians dont Joddle. The frontmans name is Thijs Van Leer.

[@Mars-eb8cz]

Amsterdammm, capitol of Scandinaviaaa