Focus - Live at Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1974 (Full Performance - HD)

Focus the Band home page:
www.focustheband.com/index2.htm
Jan Akkerman home page:
www.janakkerman.nl/
Facebook:
/ 197272485986

[@shanksworthy]

I swear, every time I discover a new performance of Hocus Pocus it's played faster than the last.

[@urbykanters1525]

lol that is why the song is named Hocus Pocus 😉

[@ItsMeTheUser]

True 🤯

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

Vocalists has CRAZY talent!! 😂😜

[@KeremcanBuyuktaskin]

Lol, exactly. 😅

[@KevyNova]

No kidding!

[@Mitchell-lc5kj]

The audience had their faces melted

[@thomastunezz9459]

I remember seeing this as a kid. Thijs Van Lee looked like an escaped lunatic from a mental institution. Pure GENIUS!!!

[@fareedaramdial7000]

one of the greatest guitarists of all time ,nobody mentions him as one of he best...he needs to be recognised jan akkerman

[@mariocroisetiere4900]

I absolutely agree...

[@agegroot5666]

Not even in Rolling stone's 100 best guitarists of all time ...would have been different if he had been an American or from the UK.

[@jeanmariezeyen111]

but he was voted "best rockguitarplayer" in 1973 by the "melody maker" !!

[@fareedaramdial7000]

@@jeanmariezeyen111 but hardly known by the world music scene then ...no informaion like these days

[@mariocroisetiere4900]

THAT S RIGHT@@jeanmariezeyen111

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

I watched this in 1974, I was 16…..still amazing!!!

[@mikedebois2566]

I was born in 1974, amazing, and I have the same great taste in music as you do!!! hahaha

[@user-yt1po1lt4u]

Me too. They played North Carolina then. Blinking magnificent

[@user-qi5mh3pq1p]

TRULY AMAZING TOUR 1974 MANCHESTER ENGLAND 🇬🇧 JUST BREATHTAKING 😊

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Hamburger Concerto is one of the band’s greatest achievements! Prog Rock forever!!

[@kenm.3512]

My God, these guys were so good. Plenty of power and beauty in this music. Akkerman and Van Leer were phenomenally gifted musicians. Great to see them having fun in this clip. Focus were an amazing band. Great to see them perform in their heyday. A stunning display of prog rock at it's finest.

[@garyadkins4194]

I am 68 years old now & we still play Hocus Pocus!

[@ProStreetS]

66 here - your not alone! Recorded this as an audio track when it hit the TV - my class mates thought I'd lost my mind, well, yeah. FOCUS ROCKS !! Just found this about 2 months ago - somewhere I have the original TV recording on 7" Reel to Reel. Think I need to get another unit.

[@user-qi5mh3pq1p]

IM ONLY 67 YOUNG AND THE TOUR 1974 WAS BREATHTAKING MANCHESTER ENGLAND 🇬🇧

[@user-lw1dh6vm6d]

Jan Akkerman at his best. His final dark jazz notes are out of this world. Pure genius.

[@JonahJojoTheMan]

Thijs Van Leer was a genius. If he were English he would easily be in the pantheon of the greatest progressive rock names of all time, alongside legends like David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Ian Anderson, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Jon Anderson or Peter Gabriel. Anyway, I consider him magnificent.

[@narvul]

Oh yeah no doubt.

[@gelubatir9794]

YOU EASILY CAN ADD GENTLE GIANT...Anyway, FOCUS WAS the best band in those years...

[@robertore65]

He still IS a genius. Listen to the last focus albums. Masterpieces.

[@wopellegrini58]

Van Leer is not english, but he is in the pantheon of the greatest progressive rock names of the entire world. And Focus as a band too. The most finest progressive rock band.

[@dannymalboeuf1692]

I agree.

[@jorgeespinozam.4517]

I' m crying. From Chile ....amazing!!!!☮️

[@MEDYK1961]

FOCUS | 50th Anniversary Celebration Live in Warsaw Poland Hybrydy Club 2023 4K (Full) FOCUS | 50th Anniversary Celebration Live in Warsaw Poland Hybrydy Club 2023 4K (Full) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3Ooo55qqth4bcU

[@guitarguy382]

00:02 - Hocus Pocus 06:13 - Hamburger Concerto 20:50 - No Hang Ups I have a cassette copy from when this originally aired. I parked the cassette recorder in front of the TV and hoped for the best. Amazing how I can now watch this great band at any time, from any computer.

[@shiki_fa14]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4q3kGmkeM9pfrc new found footage of birth at the beginning

[@guitarguy382]

@@shiki_fa14 WOW!! I forgot that they also played 'Birth' on that episode of DKRC. Much Thanks for letting me know!

[@ProStreetS]

I had to bookmark this one when I found it - I was 16 when it was on TV first time, recorded with a 7" reel to reel stereo recorder, mind BLOWN - I'm 66 now and still listen to this when I re-discovered it. :)

[@losaikosavetheearth4215]

I can remember staying up late just for Kirshner's shows.

[@ProStreetS]

My 16 yr old self just about fell out of my chair when I found this video - Bookmarked and email sent to the author of this page. LOVE it !!

[@paulocesarpossetti6496]

Save FOCUS - 50 years! - T. Van Leer and Jan Akkermam - SUPERBS! - EXTRAORDINARIES! - Salute from Brazil!

[@lucbaerts5511]

Greatest dutch rockband of all time with all of them superb musicians!!!

[@RenzoGarolla]

Che dire, eccezionali e dire poco😊❤

[@mikedebois2566]

Helemaal gelijk!!!

[@drdave25]

The US had never been exposed to FOCUS....Thijs Van Leer and Jan Akkerman were off the charts with talent.

[@allenlocke1935]

I am from the US and I became aware of Focus in the early '70's. I was in the third or fourth grade at the time. I was blown away buy Hocus Pocus!!!!!!! Heard it on mainstream radio stations. Saw them on late night concert shows on one of the major networks of the time. I consider them way ahead of their time and influential to many successful acts to follow, especially the instrumental guitarists that would follow!

[@Crystl22]

I'm in my 60's, in the US & I heard them in the 70's. This was awesome. The 70's were the best!

[@josephtravers777]

We were definitely exposed to Focus. Where were you in '73?

[@paullevine1813]

Dave, In some ways that's true as only Hocus Pocus got any air play & most didn't take the time to listen to what they really were capable of. Saw them on their only US tour in 73 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in MD. Peter Frampton with his new band Frampton's Camel opened the show & Focus ended up playing for nearly 3 hours for a crowd half the size of the venue .but those who came knew just who they were & what a great show they put on. Akkerman is still one of the worlds best modern Rock players plus the man can play anything with strings & any style he wants . They were well known here but only by folks with good ears.

[@mortimersnerd6119]

I bought Hamburger Concerto as a "cutout" album... On sale for 2 bucks! My favorite all time Album!

[@Aristotelezz]

It's very difficult to say what is the best Dutch band ever because making music is not a sport. But if I get forced to name one it will be Focus.

[@edwhite7475]

And then Golden Earring and then Johan.

[@henkprevoo7408]

I've seen them perform many times in the 70's and seen Jan Akkerman play in several concerts. I even see Jan driving by my house several times on his Harley. He is still performing and still one of the best guitarists in the universe.

[@narvul]

Volendam right?

[@henkprevoo7408]

@@narvul that's where he lives

[@iggyfritz7150]

Their talents were completely madness riding the wave of genius. No musicians today could hold a candle compared to Focus.

[@arthays5327]

Pure unadulterated fire. Vocal section at @19:20 is just beyond. If I saw this live I would not have been able to control myself.

[@ItsMeTheUser]

My brain lost control 🤯🤯🤯

[@suppiluiiuma5769]

Ahh, the Dutch. Probably the weirdest nation on earth, which is no bad thing, and also one of the coolest. Thanks for giving us Focus.

[@johneshuis1215]

Bleep from Amsterdam....

[@mikedebois2566]

I am Dutch, and I agree, long may we stay that way!!! And you are welcome!

[@zencat999]

love the platform shoes and fkn big bell bottoms on the guitar player! wow...really showes the times.

[@napomania]

One of the first time ever I heard bass louder than guitar in the mix . Awesome gig

[@andyharman3022]

Jeez. Jan Akkerman was so far ahead of his time.

[@guitarguy382]

08:52 - What Jan does right here.....that descending -> ascending line.......still makes me smile 47 years later. And I love the sound of his guitar thru those grinding Leslie cabinets.

[@tomj6650]

Jan inspired me as a 14-year old guitarist and still inspires me at 63. I play well but still cannot emulate so much of the gypsy/jazz/classical/rock/blues/modal hybrid he effortlessly creates. And he’s a virtuoso lute player. Huh? I’ve gone to Holland to meet him and see him perform several times over the past 15 years and his passion still burns in his 70s. He’s a bit eccentric for sure but it comes with the musical genius. A true legend of the guitar and certainly a gift to my life.

[@Mirando67]

FOCUS immense! Fun and excellent musicians

[@allenemery4665]

All geniuses and what a band. Glad I was alive in this era

[@philjohnson4607]

Lucky dog

[@rudybellomo4865]

I agree, only comment I can muster about this performance is : Oh my God!

[@davidborrelli1081]

We were skying, drinking hot coco and fon due in the alps when this guy came and cause an avalanch.

[@bluarcher5941]

amazing performance...easy to underscore the vocals that Van Leer was putting out there, live no less. Hats off to them...Focus forever.

[@fareedaramdial7000]

I WAS SO DELIGHTED WHEN IT WS PLAYED ON SOUTH AFRICAN tv FOR THE fifa WORLD CUP IN 2010.....PEOPLE NEVER KNEW IT WAS A TEENS FAVOURITE(FEW) IN THE 70S

[@PeterHoogerbrugge]

What a treasure! Never saw this clip before. I was there in the early seventies in the Netherlands and this very much reminds me of the concerts in those days. Thanks!

[@narvul]

You're probably there right now as well.

[@nigelcarpenter4814]

what a band, pure genius

[@BloomingdaleTN]

Unbelievable talent.

[@Mark-jw7to]

Akkerman is the man ! !

[@giangianni503]

the guitarist is really stunning

[@inekebaalman3320]

His name is Jan Akkerman….

[@Olivia-MaiSevigny]

oh my god this is heaven

[@mariocroisetiere4900]

i love Focus

[@Eitner100]

It seems to me that every latest version was faster than the previous one. Going for a world record no doubt and they won every single time.

[@allenemery4665]

Greatly underrated band still sounds great today

[@bluarcher5941]

the band I was playing guitar in held their breath when this episode aired....we were playing several of their songs (or attempting to) at this time...an amazing band that will never be matched.

[@noizyneighbour5790]

So much amazing music came from the Netherlands. Ahora Mazda, Brainbox, Finch, Pantheon, Trace - just to name a few. I've amassed over 130,000 albums to date and I still discover bands I've never heard of. Although the KZbin algorithm can be quite random at times with its suggestions - I love the journeys of discovery I have been sent on when looking at the recommendations that appear in the columns whilst I am watching things. I can't believe I was over 50 before I heard of Eloy for example. KZbin is like the worlds best music library.

[@andyharman3022]

It kind of depresses me to think that there's so much music, and so little time.

[@robertsiljak6417]

andyharman, there's so little time to hear it all, and not possible of course, but enough time to make your own, like they all did..

[@alexandreguitar]

This bring back My teenage years

[@mattg432]

And that's why there are so many Focus cover bands.

[@lukagovorcin3610]

HE IS STILL A GENIOUS! ....

[@user-ko8qb4rg1m]

Outstanding!!!!!!!

[@carlovisentin2961]

Questi grandissimi musicisti di mezzo secolo fa mi hanno lasciato letteralmente a bocca aperta. Conoscevo i Focus, li ho sempre apprezzati, ma in questo filmato ho potuto sentire e vedere quanto siano stati sottovalutati. 👏👏👏

[@steveberti7060]

The greatest Jam /Classical band off all time Jan Akkerman did look like Jesus my Favourite band of all time

[@josegondim4303]

Fantastic Band and moment

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

To this day I can’t believe these gentlemen did this show without “chemicals” and “artificial” overdubs.

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

No drugs huh? 😁

[@keresak]

i think it was more like lsd etc

[@charold3]

No overdubs here, but I think some chemicals were involved.

[@paddymulligan]

Thijs had wa helium binnen

[@crismalsack9079]

The absolute best ever

[@yvesvezzoli138]

Excellent concert et musicien d'exception

[@thosoneill]

Jesus I was at the 50th anniversary gig in Glasgow last Thursday night - absolutely sublime

[@Fulc]

This was one of the performances that shaped my musical understanding back when I was a 12-year-old, and I'm beside myself watching it unfold again. But I remember that there was also a magnificent performance of Birth on the night, and I'm sorry that wasn't included for whatever reason.

[@FocusVideoArchive]

It is, but it was forgotten to be featured in this long video.. it was just forgotten. How? I don't know. It is on a other video on our channel, tho

[@alesk3620]

Famózní 👍✌🏻🤘💯🎶😁🔥🔊💥😉🖤❤️💪Gretting from czechrepublic 🇨🇿

[@Olivia-MaiSevigny]

I feel like some of my pain goes away with is loud and powerfull voice

[@tomtrana3449]

Small side note in 2023: Focus - Live at the Rainbow. The album was recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London on 5 May 1973. 50 years ago now!

[@mainstream1402]

They are on rails, everyone is working in harmony.

[@arcticmorning]

What a treasure.... this is simply amazing...

[@stewartquark1661]

Let's just admit it humanity......God made only one FOCUS....that's it....never again....

[@patriciomaia3200]

Fantastic Rock Concert !!! FOCUS is Wonderful Progressive Rock Band..

[@maestroaprendiz4527]

me encanta este grupo..., lo he seguido por mucho, mucho tiempo....

[@johnned4848]

This is PROG!!!

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Without a doubt. These guys belong enshrined in Cleveland in RRHOF But we know Jann Wenner the prog hater will never allow that.

[@javierrivero5335]

Amazing!!

[@superdrive1416]

Best version of Hamburger Concerto ever imo. But they were on fire the entire concert.

[@CuTLeR331]

I would have to respectfully disagree with u. There are much better versions out there, however this one is very unique and full of energy!

[@msaraiva]

@@CuTLeR331 I'll respectfully disagree with you, lol. I also think this is the best version, followed closely by the one in the NPO presentation. This one is more energetic, although Akkerman's solo in the other is definitely better.

[@rickweigle5559]

@@CuTLeR331 other than studio version this is only one I heard live. If you know others out there,man let me know I'd love to hear others,I'm digging this man.

[@vano758]

@@rickweigle5559 , this is definitely not the only one live version of "Hamburger Concerto" on youtube. There's a video of a live version of Hamburger Concerto with Van Leer wearing a jacket with epaulettes on his shoulders..... Or do you mean that is an overdubbed video??.... No-o-o-o-o-o, i don't think so. Although i am beginning to doubt it now)))

[@weitzen]

I agree....imo this is the better version of HC! Stunning in fact!! Wish the current lineup would tackle it!! The whole band , including Colin Allen , is on fire!!

[@whitelion1111]

What a creation

[@patriciacarpenter4129]

WOW...JUST WOW!!!!

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Nice upload thank you. It was good to see Jan Akkerman enjoying the gig rather than his normal serious self.

[@juliomonteiro405]

FANTASTIC!!!

[@FJAC1953]

Fantastic band !

[@eigengrau1]

E P I C - but words can't describe what... .... anyway II love this dimension -Period

[@gabrielcuauhtemocmoralesul7404]

Buenísimo very very concierto. Una joya musical. Hermoso 👍👍👍

[@maximilianoloayza3250]

Aunque si estuviera el baterista Original, Pierre Van landen. Hubiera sido mucho mejor.

[@manuelgtz6859]

Diría yo: EXCRAMENTAL! jejejeje... Es un tesoro lleno de joyas!!!

[@bobhoukes]

Next year 50 year Focus. Thijs van Leer in Amsterdam. Just bought my tickets

[@pveilleux79]

This is an amazing piece of music, thanks for sharing this.

[@Olivia-MaiSevigny]

jan akkerman oh my god the guit

[@luizberg6849]

Jan Akkerman ,. Re-Stoned,. Spacelord , Machine,. Sleeping Karma,. Humble Pie,. Free,. Jimi Hendrix,. Naxatras,. Mad Season, Motorhead, 🎸. 🎶 🤘

[@wcollins7557]

These guys have inspired me to eat better and exercise more. I'm trying to see if it's possible to watch this so much that I fail to be amazed, and if I only live 15 or 20 more years, there is no way in hell that will be enough time.

[@MEDYK1961]

FOCUS | 50th Anniversary Celebration Live in Warsaw Poland Hybrydy Club 2023 4K (Full) FOCUS | 50th Anniversary Celebration Live in Warsaw Poland Hybrydy Club 2023 4K (Full) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3Ooo55qqth4bcU

[@lukagovorcin3610]

YES,MY FRIENDS!! THAT IS THE BEST ,GENIOUS!!

[@scream62]

so crazy nice !

[@stevendphoto]

If this show was filmed at the Long Beach Arena - I WAS THERE...!

[@ianseward9928]

Manic , but absolutely brilliant. Outrageous talent .

[@charold3]

Van Leer was (is?) freakishly talented. No one quite like him. And Akkerman is freakish too; he was a bit sloppy, but fast as hell. (I don’t mean sloppy in a bad way-Jimi was sloppy too.) He attacked that fretboard like a berserker, but then he’d pick up a lute and play something gorgeous and delicate from the 16th century. Great bass and drums too. My fav Dutch band, by far.

[@napomania]

I like so much the way he used the volume pot. Sometimes does not sound as a guitar.. is freaky and original sound

[@Jim181059]

I'm glad someone's said this - he's superbly talented but I find his improv can be a bit off sometimes.

[@madbebopper]

Jan is a guitar genius and one thing that makes him unique among guitarists who are rockers. That is because he told me himself that his two favorite guitarists are Django and Wes. (Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery) Jan has a very open mind and utilizes musical styles from the Baroque and Classical periods as well as being influenced and inspired by the jazz masters. His technique is also much richer than most rock n roll guitarists because since he really absorbed and listened to jazz greats like Miles and the bebop greats, his lines are much more clever and thoughtful than many rock guitarists. His speed is something else - I have no idea how he developed such speed and fluency but it is incredible. One of the most amazing things about Jan to me is his sound. He can make a guitar sing, wail and practically talk!! He is still one of the greatest and he is on top of the pyramid, musically speaking. His playing has so much depth and richness no matter what he's playing.

[@Studio-62]

I’ve listened to Ackerman for years and I would never say he is sloppy. His timing is immaculate, and his solos in the studio version of Hocus Pocus are incredible. However what I find is that he is very unpredictable, especially when watching the live shows, and here you can see it at the end of Hocus Pocus, as the band does not know what he is going to do. I would also comment that during Eruption, that otherwise perfect piece of music is marred twice by very loud feedback from Akkerman’s amplifier. The only way they would have left this in is because the tracks were being recorded live, and the feedback was so loud it was bleeding through into the other microphones and could not be covered up. Given a choice between re-recording the entire track or leaving it in, they chose to leave it, so it must have been that good overall. But I’m sure they gave him shit for it.

[@larryurbon9550]

Focus: best EVER

[@robertvasquez2738]

Awesome

[@danno9608]

12:00-12.54 Some people would claim EVH pioneered this rolling volume technique on "Cathedral" however Jan Akkerman was doin it in 1974 folks.

[@blakewhittington4336]

Duane Allman did it in 69

[@johndanter2246]

@@blakewhittington4336 and Chet Atkins in '58. Sounds great whoever.

[@matthewcumberland6877]

Rory Gallagher,Roy Buchanan,

[@gabrielmendivil2914]

¡¡Genios!! De las mejores bandas del progresivo de todos los tiempos. Thijs van Leer, genio entre los genios. Jan Akkerman, ni hablar. Bert Ruiter y Colin Allen, con una solidez tremenda (aunque se extraña al maestro Pierre van der Linden). ¡¡Alucinantes!!

[@henryurbach7973]

Thank you for posting this! This was one of the first DKRCs I saw. First time seeing Focus and UFO live was a real treat. The next Saturday I bought Live at the Rainbow and Hamburger Concerto. This was shot in Long Beach at the LB Auditorium in late '74, the usual place for DKRC shows. I think it was broadcast in early '75. I still have a cassette with both bands from the show that I taped off the TV. I hope more DKRC shows with this VQ will show up on YT. Next one that would be great to see is with another Dutch band, Golden Earring from Moontan tour. There is a video from the show but of rather dodgy quality and very truncated Big Tree Blue Sea, definitely a highlight where Barry Hay plays the flute and song goes on for about 10 mins.

[@quar9012]

Fantastic! HD at last, thank you. I have been waiting ages to see this concert in this quality

[@lukagovorcin3610]

YES FOR SHURE THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! AND HIS 🎸 ON SYLVIA!! THAT IS UNIQUE!! ALL OF THIS!!! FANTASTIC SYMPLY FANTASTIC!!!!

[@drflamber5044]

the last" two minutes "song(already with the credits) has caught me,what a wonderfull!

[@franklinboersma3276]

i'm dutch and i'm proud to perform on you tube.

[@rockemteclas5700]

Minha banda do coração 🇧🇷✨👏👏👏👏

[@prog1962]

Hello Rolling Stone magazine..wake up and listen to this incredable group..Jan Akkerman in the guitar list..probably under Keith Richards and Lou Reed😅

[@showeyes]

Unbelievable!

[@josephtravers777]

Thanks for uploading this. I never missed a Kirshner show and remember this one. Jan playing faster than humanly possible @ 1:56. I'm surprised he didn't injure his left hand, looking back @ it almost 50 years later.

[@excession30]

he did have later problems with repetitive stress injuries.

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

Answers the age-old question “what would Bach have sounded like if he wrote for Focus?” 😎

[@benoitbrule1893]

[@eveaustin8172]

Sheer rock genius

[@Quinceps]

Dammit! I was missing this one live… They were so inspired!

[@juancarlosfernandeztolava2681]

Realmente sensacíonal presentacíon un gran recuerdo felicitacíones.

[@MarkLAsche]

Focus all day, thank you.