Focus tells the story behind Hocus Pocus - interview

[@GiveSic]

He seems like a very gracious and thankful person. Credits all of his band mates properly and doesn't talk about himself much at all. He's probably great to just sit down and chat with.

[@billezane8910]

These guys really trapped lightening in a bottle. Incredible songs like this are timeless. One of the greatest rock tracks of all time.

[@victorrock1997]

You said it! Much respect, all the best, and rock on! 🤘

[@patrickbrown4133]

It turned out that "Hocus Pocus" started off as an improvisation, a jam session, if you will. I suspected that was the case for decades. After 40 plus years, it STILL kicks ass!

[@jojogunn7077]

Hocus Pocus by Focus is a Jethro Tell rip off.

[@dalimens]

JoJoGunn No it's not. btw it's Jethro Tull.

[@PlatinumEagleStudios]

Patrick Brown Hell yeah it does, Patrick. By the way, nice hat you were wearing lol ;-P

[@patrickbrown4133]

EpicEverythingDude75 Thanks. I work at an Old Western theme park, and I was attendinga party literally after quitting time. I was still in "work clothing." The hat has since been stolen. )-;

[@PlatinumEagleStudios]

Patrick Brown Hey if you want to sir I would like to chat more some time so here is my skype. It's thedevinerose. Add me if you want ot follow me on google + :-)

[@guymerritt4860]

The guys were absolutely tremendous players........and I still love this cut (great vocals, too). I love it when great players and singers can infuse their art with humour, step outside the box, etc. When you have great talent, your not afraid to do something that has a silly - almost self-deprecating - quality. Kudos to Focus.

[@agnidas5816]

The singing is really good too. Only in one spot does he mix his low and higher voice poorly - in the rest he goes into character voices or yodels with the best of them. Amazingly fast riff singing over the whole range and then just beating on the voice with those yodelled scales : wow :)

[@gastankand1match]

I'm not being an ass but what singing? There are no lyrics. Or does yodeling count?

[@jeremyfrost2636]

@@gastankand1match Yes, yodeling is a form of singing.

[@Gioagla]

Thijs van Leer is some kinda rare phenomen on this planet. he is still inspires lots of people with his genius ! hats off sir

[@danielbenoit9736]

and all this with a humble attitude wonderful musician TKS

[@BiffChunksteak]

The respect with which he speaks about Black Eyed Peas is telling. Personally, I wouldn't trade a second of van Leers music for Peas' entire back catalogue, but I'm not the musician van Leer is.

[@Staszu13]

Jan Akkerman is THE most underrated guitarist ever. And he's still out there working. Good for him!

[@aaronsmith7143]

He's on like every greatest guitarists to ever live list. I don't think he's underrated lol. He's well known for talking shit about other guitarists in his time also.

[@gastankand1match]

You would say that

[@giph1967]

he was best guitarist of the world in the 70's

[@wjthomas82]

@@giph1967 Dwayne Allman would like a word with you

[@giph1967]

@@wjthomas82 you can tell him to adress me by youtube!

[@victorrock1997]

Focus is such a great yet tremendously underrated band! They deserved that exposure to the fullest! These Dutchmen are musical geniuses! Rock on! 🤘

[@brunohaine2522]

This was the first gig I ever went to, Stretford in Manchester in 1973, it sounds just as good now as it did then, the drummer wouldn't leave the stage at the end with the rest of the band and just kept drumming, it really was Dutch magic

[@Jeffrey.Seelman]

Thank you so much Thijs for explaining how this song was made. In my home city of Milwaukee Wisconsin USA, the song was played on the radio about every 20 minutes when it came out. Absolutely stunning, or the DJ's would not have played it. Been over to Amsterdam 7 times, and I had the privilege of seeing many concerts there including Dutch bands. And Dutch bands can be highly unusual and incredibly talented depending on who they are. I really believe this is one of the all-time great rock 'n roll songs. People will be listening to this song in 500 years and still marvel at its complexity and stunning vocals. - Jeffrey.

[@bobhoukes]

Very well said Jeffrey

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

This is the first song I remember on TV when I was only around 4 years old or so Now, aged over 50, and a life long rock chick it's still one of my absolute favourites of all time Thanks Focus.. You ROCK!!!! 💜

[@GTVAlfaMan]

I’m from Detroit, we love Rock and Focus blew me away when I first heard them.

[@TheChurchHistoryChannel]

This has become one of my favourite songs of all time.

[@Kaiserwhosay]

I love the 73 clip at one point after the flute improv, Jan Akkerman just smiles and shakes his head!!

[@wiliamprimrose5545]

such an amazing song, when i first heard it as a teen we were blown away.....

[@goblondie]

went to a concert with them last night, they are still kicking ass !!

[@aschule5684]

Focus were all exceptional musicians, and this guy had such an incredible voice, vocal range and ability, I believe I was 10 when "Moving Waves" came out, although I didn't own it until my teenage years

[@AverageMr]

Still a great tune after all these years.

[@arcticmorning]

The most underrated band in history

[@johnstitt2615]

That guy plays the most badass, rock and roll flute ever...

[@derpmellow2]

John Stitt Jethro Tull enough said

[@drumdad54sdl47]

He wrote some of Focus' most memorale material. Thijs is a musical genius.

[@anthonyhewetson5086]

I favor Tull for flute but, eff it, this guy could yodel, tick, play flute, and whistle .. to extremes unexplored by other bands - let each have their own magisteria.

[@heftyalan1152]

Pierre Van Der Linden is on fire during Hocus Pocus. Stunning work

[@RastaSaiyaman]

During a Classic Albums episode on "Moving waves" the producer argued that Pierre Van Der Linden is equal to drummers like Ginger Baker, Bill Bruford and John Bonham. I'm not going to argue with him on how great Van Der Linden is if he's equal to THOSE guys!

[@w3mq]

Very unique and still very much ahead of it's time.

[@jbliborio]

I first was introduced to the song back in 1979 when a great friend of mine showed me the LP. That´s the kind of song that is "fixed" in your ears and you can´t stop listening.. And it´s so for this all this time. I surely can say that this song is part of my memories from the high school that will be always with me.

[@stevegifford4656]

Great memories of this on AM radio in the 70s!

[@amtrak59]

Focus was way, way ahead of its time musically, esp. here in this country. Its nice to hear this great song again and hear Thijs explain the history of the band.....there was none like it here at that time.

[@ptr250]

I saw these guys live in SF. As I remember they opened for Yes. What an amazing band.

[@bobhoukes]

Yes should have opened for them ..

[@ptr250]

@@bobhoukes Focus was a good band. Yes is a great band, so no.

[@frankcarmack1442]

One of the BEST bands of the 70s. Although currently wthout Jan Akkerman, they're still playing live. Hoping to see them later this year in Padova.

[@sjoerdmeijer1]

Lissen too Jan Akkerman Streetwalker

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

Zo mooi dat hij Jan Akkerman erkent als een virtuoos gitarist, jeugdsentiment.

[@madberlin]

I love Holland, the people and Focus! Greetings from Berlin.

[@GlennnD]

Berlin kicks ass!

[@Luckzzz]

Holland is just a state inside Netherlands I guess :)

[@jomano9651]

:)

[@bobhoukes]

Thank you

[@gerritsteenbreker4781]

​@@Luckzzz A province. Actually two provinces. North and South

[@KevyNova]

I couldn't care less about soccer or football or whatever they call it but I LOVE Hocus Pocus and Focus! I'm just glad that they are still being heard somewhere.

[@XO-nm8nx]

The first time I heard Hocus Pocus, it was a shock. It was powerful, virtuosic, anarchic, funny, self deprecating and it totally froze me to the spot. I was totally unprepared for it, it was one of the best creative revelations of my life.

[@DrakusRecords]

I remember hearing this song for the first time when I was 6 years old. My aunt was staying over and i was taking a nap. She put the record on, and I woke up thinking, "What the heck is this?" I was blown away, and it quickly became my favorite song. Still is.

[@cr8cat794]

these guys rock. no other way to say it.

[@eamonnmorris5331]

What a great choice this was for a soccer event ... it's perfect for the commercial. I always loved this piece ... it's so interesting to hear him comment in the improvisational aspect and how it all came together

[@kr1st0ff3rs0n]

The look on is face when he screams the highest note and the first break is the most intense face I've ever seen.

[@bevtrader348]

these guys are great loved them in the 70s.

[@victordunavent9477]

One of my all time favorite bands. The opening of live at the rainbow theatre is stunning

[@crawlinginfilm9683]

First album I ever bought was "Focus", having been treated to this band's many hits by Dutch "Radio Veronica" (Dutch offshore pirate radio station), providing a glimpse of blue heaven through the grey and stupid clouds of state-controlled playlist-limited UK BBC pop "Radio 1" (as it was in the 1970's). Dankjewel!!!

[@Phoenixhunter157]

This dude is so talented...the whole band. My god.

[@nanuco106]

Great song for a great commercial. Focus deserves even more recognition It would have been a waste to choose that shitty Black Eyed Peas music instead of this masterpiece.

[@westgoten]

Thijs still kicks rocknroll ass, the best concert on last years SwedenRockFestival, and he was certainly the happiest artist on any stage :D

[@lzgneto]

One of the best rock bands of all time!

[@deejohn1659]

OMG, Is that really This van Leer. I would have never recognised him as he is now. What a legendary band. Their guitarist Jan Ackerman would be in my top ten favourite guitarists of all time. I often play 'Focus at The Rainbow' cd. The first half is so calming then builds up to the faster heavier stuff. A truly great band

[@carlosaraujo9037]

43 years later it Still sounds great.

[@takeshihiraoka5310]

wow. I did not know that this awesome song was very nearly composed spontaneously!

[@shaununderwood6048]

thankyou for making such a classic track

[@ratius1979]

Pure and utter musicianship xxx

[@MrPeter3011]

THAT were the fantastic 70s-never again will there be such a spectrum of PROG-/CLASSIC-/FOLK-/PSYCH.-Rock.....

[@Afrotechmods]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@ohanneskamerkoseyan3157]

I've been following your channel for a couple of years. But also, I see your comments in places where I don't expect. Nice to see you here as well, man! :)

[@chrisphillips3434]

massive talent...such a down to earth fella :)

[@crunterstamps]

Fucking fantastic track,and has been for 40 years! And always will be!!

[@AceOfHeart2012]

NIKE definitely made the right choice. Thank you Thijs and Jan for your classic 'Hocus Pocus'. Blessing to you. Enjoy!

[@LeighHughesSenlis]

They were a fine, fine band.

[@goblondie]

and still are

[@didma]

focus is awesome. just startet listening to them 1 week ago.

[@LittleCabin]

I heard Hocus Pocus for, I think, the first time on my way to work last week, and it put a huge smile on my face, and even made me laugh...while still being a great rocking song...the main riff is awesome.

[@luvdomus]

It fascinating to hear the story behind the classic song. I didn't even know they were Dutch. Thijs van Leer is a great guy, then and now. Love his Popeye scat-singing. great talent.

[@PbPomper]

Such a great energy in this song! Absolute craziness and a unique performance by excellent musicians. Such a freedom and disregard for conventional music. I love it!

[@spacemissing]

Some amazing things happen when the right musicians fool around together.

[@MrDjango1953]

My God Thijs Van Leer is such an incredible musician.And Focus always had the greatest basslines of any rock group.

[@ifor20got]

Wow. I remember this song when it came out. I show younger kids and they Freak.... then they go discover what a great band you are. Your music is endless

[@fyremanbill]

Not sure the younger generations will get the vibe that accompanied this song back in the day. I think you may have had to have lived through the era to comprehend how ahead of it's time it was. All time classic without a doubt!

[@hurtinkids]

When I was like 10 I found this song on the ol windows 98 and just loved jamming along to it on my acoustic

[@zabbadoo8672]

A very popular song on Montreal FM radio for many years...I first heard it as a kid in the 70's..Still like it today.

[@andrewpetik2034]

That performance on The Midnight Special in '73 is over the top fire!

so great to hear the backstory to this masterpiece!

[@RealRunner7]

2:27 Love hearing a professional musician do what we all love to do.

[@GuitarGare]

LOVE! When he started describing the riff, huge grin. Then I started laughing! So great!

[@addrenry784]

love how this interview is longer than the song

[@twinqtsdad]

Well done, Thijs!!, My Focus album was one of a few that i needed to buy two because I played it so much. You rock and someone that other "rockers" need to learn from. Great Guy Thijs, Jan Akkerman and to all of Focus!!

[@HibernusMortis1]

Yep amazing what a few musicians together sharing there ideas can come up with at times. Very rare for great classics such as Hocus Pocus to become such huge hits though, just through the spontaneity of the moment.

[@asmordisfluffbreaker4999]

Wat een baas, niemand kan deze inhalen met zang.

[@michaeleiseman4446]

The most eclectic progressive rock song EVER...a ROCKING guitar riff, yodeling, hysterical and zany scat singing, flute and absolutely FRENETIC MIND BARBEQUING guitar solos...they just don't make em like this anymore.

[@dhadleyray]

Hi Jan, I opened for you in Holland a few years back. Your wife is a beautiful person and thanks for letting me see a great gig!

[@kenwayne96]

What an awsome, awsome, awsome, story of how one of the craziest, strangest, yet best rock songs of all time was birthed.

[@mike196212]

I remember this appeared on a K-TEL lp at the time. Far,far cooler than pretty much everything else on the lp. We had it at home(I'm the second of six kids and even at 58 I can still see it.).

[@sunnsight]

Thys...19-06-2016.....We hebben van je genoten!!!

[@dirklammertse4174]

Drummer Rick Ruiter uit Soest was van hun tijd. Nooit meer wat van gehoord. Man was geniaal op drums

[@bohindramusic]

Thijs Van Leer , de los mejores músicos Europeos de Rock de todos los tiempos , gran compositor y un flautista Genial , mi gran maestro de cantar sobre la flauta y usar voz al soplar , siempre en mi corazón ❣️

[@RandyFricke]

So many people are only familiar with Focus through "Hocus Pocus". Yes it was a fun and quirky little number but find some of their other music and get into it some time. These guys were virtuosos of the highest order.

[@powderriver2424]

I was 5 in 1974 when I first heard this song it was on the radio on an AM Rock station out of Seattle, who knows sometime around that time I later seen a replay of a show with these guys, funny who knew 40 years later I stubble upon this YT video....cool I think.

[@MikeSavoia]

Can't wait to see Focus on Cruise To The Edge next month!!!!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

superb, still have my original vinyl albums

[@teerexness]

Well, obviously a much better choice was made than the Black Eyed Peas!

[@antonystringfellow5152]

I like some Black Eyed Peas songs too but there really is no comparison. Focus were in a league of their own.

[@CrippleX89]

Everyone can be the Black Eyed Peas when you have autotune.. I really don't get why people like that untalented stuff so much

[@shillian4770]

@@CrippleX89 It’s the purposeful dumbing down of music that caused bands like black eyed peas to rise to the top.

[@SirManfly]

and it flies in the face of people who say that good musicians can't be in rock bands, only classical music bands or jazz bands. you can tell drummer Pierre van der Linden's hero was Buddy Rich....similar drumming style for sure. exceptionally talented musicians!!

[@triplejudy]

It's just a brilliant song ... period ! Jan Ackerman was one of my guitar heroes growing up in the States.

[@MrFredHoogendoorn]

He must be insanely happy to have their song featured in Baby driver.

[@TheStraatjutter]

I know right? Climax of the film!!

[@gurnblanstein9816]

It was in RoboCop the Remake first, baby driver copied

[@JimmyCrabb]

Possibly the most wonderful bit of insanity ever recorded. After all these years it's still on my regular playlist!

[@FightTheElite]

Heel interessant, bedankt voor 't uploaden. Very interesting, thanks for uploading this.

[@paulelliott3220]

So glad this wonderful song became the World Cup tune Bonkers and brilliant

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

All incredibly talented musicians!

[@Adipsia1]

Thijs was there, the song came through him... and fortunately Jan Akkerman and Pierre van der Linden were also around and able to contribute. This song was far more than about Thijs...

[@loiseaunoir1021]

Look how Akerman bends the strings at 2:07 fantastic!

[@jeffreygreene1042]

Akkerman makes playing extremely fast look very, very easy. I still can't believe what an awesome guitarist he is

[@castirondude]

Musicale humor, precies, zo zag ik het nummer meteen. Ik had aan het eind letterlijk de slappe lach. Het was die fluitsolo die het hem deed hehe :)

[@mikeace5831]

That song still has staying power 44 years later right on

[@andzwe]

Especially knowing that they broke up definitely, which is safe to say, given their age. But they still respect each others musicality and Focus' songs. I think that part of what made Focus great was the friction between the leading members and their different personalities. Something you see often with special bands.

[@devic667]

Wow, I love this story, thank you for sharing!

[@donolinger6904]

You're a badass. Great vocalist and you killed that flute. Badass.

[@bobhoukes]

Language

[@progjazz3709]

I grew up close to the so-called of "Groeneveld in Baarn", in those days when Focus lived and worked there. Thijs is one of the best friends of my mother in law and sometimes he comes over and plays her piano. I met him a couple of times, he is an inspiring man, great musician. Two of my friends were in his band for many years. Another friend has been (and still is) the bassist of Jan Akkerman. Also a great musician, but not a funny man... In other words: Focus is close to me.

[@765respect]

A happy, joyful song for a happy, joyful teen!

[@macrepair3275]

Focus seen live recently, mind blowing