Jan Akkerman en Focus Live

[@markjamesmeli2520]

What an outstanding group this is. And still today.

[@thethinkingmindz]

This is Focus, one of the most versatile, original and by far ahead of anything rock has ever birthed.

[@mysterioussquirrel4456]

I heard my first Focus track in 1972 and was instantly hooked. Dammit! That's 45 years!! Now I feel old.

[@p.j940]

It's just numbers. You're still young 🙃

[@George.Andrews.]

12 years old and didn't know I was watching my all-time favourite guitarist

[@stewartquark1661]

The words "talented" and "gifted" have always fallen short in describing Focus and it's music....

[@mirojr6854]

How wonderful guitar Mr Jan Akkerman is.

[@robertl6591]

Love Focus, Jan Akkerman's guitar playing is so emotional, Thijs Van Leer so multi-talented and they all play with such joy in the music they are making. Thank you all guys.

[@cristelbrandon582]

Sweetest track ever. We lost our virginity whilst listening to this.43 yrs ago. Thank you.

[@maramé.r]

It doesn't get better. Best band I ever saw live

[@George.Andrews.]

Focus in 1972 and Jean Luc Ponty 1976. I have not heard anything better. Ozric Tentacles were good.

[@malthuswasright]

Don't care what it takes, just get the classic line-up together again - van Leer, Akkerman, van der Linden and Router. I'd die happy seeing that line-up again.

[@BrickwallJackson]

Nothing like the original lineup! Love the bright, snappy guitar tone mixed in with the full organ. Great stuff!!

[@dougperot1819]

Lord in Heaven what a joy it would have been to see this in person! Thanks so much for sharing. I saw the band three times 1972 - 1975. People today are just missing out. A thousand blessings!!!

[@PlanetaryCitizen]

Yes, it must have been a great gig! I saw them live in the early seventies too. I remember first hearing them when I was 16. Kid Jensen was so blown away by their album "Moving Waves" he played it in its entirety one night. I heard it on my tranny! This was, and still is, one of the best "prog" albums, in my opinion.

[@barrye5376]

What Ripping from Jan No One Like Him A True Master!!

[@nicholasleboutillier4020]

Like all 'classic line ups' Focus here are greater than the sum of their parts; they all bring a little magic with them too. Jan Akkerman is outstanding of course, but so are Van Leer, Van Der Linden and Ruiter - it just goes to show what an amazing band they were and what fantastic music they made together; I wish they had done more of it!

[@rhermans1683]

Jan Akkerman was the Johan Cruyff of the guitar!

[@paulbuxton1326]

Pele of the guitar 👌🎼

[@WvhKerkhof]

Johan Cruijff had no succes in the USA.

[@henrydebruijn2259]

Jan Akkerman IS the Johan Cruyff of the guitar!

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Such a great opener. Good to see people still enjoying this stuff - as always quality always lasts.

[@amsedelm]

Jan Akkerman! Truly one of a kind.

[@NYVoice]

Jan was one of those musicians who stopped you dead in your tracks when watching him. One of the greats.

[@malthuswasright]

I saw Focus years ago in Bilston (around the time of Focus 9). On the posters at the venue were ads for Jan Akkerman gigging a week later. I'd have loved to be a booker who "accidentally" booked Focus and Jan for the same night....

[@carlosmarques3252]

one of my favourite badnds of all time

[@dilsonmalvaresmalvares7218]

untill Today i Hear Focus like i used heard in 70's, with the same feeling

[@mekiwiguy]

Oh this is magic - Pierre van der Linden simply takes me to a new world and Bert Ruiter is really way above the best on bass.

[@erikholzer7957]

Een stukje jeugdsentiment voor een van onze grootste elektrische gitaristen die ik al zag met Brainbox, later via mijn buurman Van Otterloo en zijn Focus vrienden (Thijs) weer in beeld kwam en tot vandaag de dag eindeloos door-evolueert. Daar word ik nog steeds stil van.......

[@RichardTyTrevino1963]

...and oh how delightly "Jethro Tullesque" that Thijs Van Leer can be on the flute! *applause*

[@stichtingokapi]

#rip Bert Ruiter. Groot bassist, aardige vent.

[@1macholele]

Focus !que buenos!! Lo mejor del rock progresivo

[@andyfell5879]

There is no better guitarist out there than Jan Akkerman. Stunning lyricism and tone! Focus at the Rainbow is an all-time great album.😃

[@deeper2012]

QUE BELLA MUSICA!! PASA EL TIEMPO Y ME SIGUE DANDO UN INMENSO PLACER ESCUCHAR FOCUS DESDE QUE TENGO 12 AÑOS!! ALLA POR ´74 EN EL FIN DEL MUNDO, EN ARGENTINA, MI PRIMER DISCO......MOVING WAVES!!! AMO FOCUS!!!!!

[@mallard4998]

Tommy is just incredible, and Jan excels as usual

[@rainayoung6838]

Without WJZZ this CITY girl would have NEVAH heard of TRUE ARTIST like Mr. Akkerman and soooo many others from all over this world of ours. "I Feel What Ya Playing" Let's say a prayer for the youth today !!

[@jhrharrison]

I drove my parents crazy with the Focus III 8-track tapes, and then all the rest of their catalogue - before my parents heard the metal I began listening to!

[@myway43]

What masterful guitar work.

[@mallard4998]

absolutely!!!

[@fanciscosanchez1665]

Tremenda banda, que aún sigue dando conciertos. Aunque me gustaría ver a Jan Akkerman con Thijs Van Leer!! Saludos desde León Guanajuato México

[@aventurasdeunargentoenmexico]

Hasta ahora no ví que visitaran México en estos últimos tiempos,aunque sé que han venido hace años ya,yo ví a FOCUS en Argentina en el 2003 cuando presentaban FOCUS 8,vinieron con otra formación Pero con Thijs Van Leer a la cabeza.Ese día,mejor al día siguiente me quise matar xq me había enterado que habían salido al Hall del teatro a firmar autógrafos y etc.Y en 2007 tuve la oportunidad de verlo a Jan Akkerman,lo ví en la puerta mientras estábamos en la fila y no podía creer que estaba frente a uno de mis guitarristas favoritos,y ese día estuve en primera fila.Recuerdo algo cómico,cuando terminan le pedí su plumilla y Jan me dijo OH NO! ITS SPECIAL! y luego salió Mike del Ferro su tecladista y me contó el por qué no daba la plumilla etc,y nos dice AHORA JAN VA A SALIR PARA FIRMARLES Y DEMAS.Un divino,tímido xq no entendía nada...imagínate! Argentina! El q,lo del mundo jajaja,y alcance a darle la entrada y me la autografió!!!!! Ese tesoro me lo traje conmigo a México x supuesto! Y alguna foto movida x ahí jajaj xq en aquella época no habían celulares como ahorita,Pero ese momento me lo llevo conmigo siempre!! Saludos desde Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl estado de México,y aguante FOCUS!!!!

[@dblau2000]

Jan's playing was superb, even then... but of course, he now plays better... it comes with the age...

[@philsarkol6443]

I drive an old Focus ...turn the key and it runs...no rust mechanically in perfect order. So are this Focus still running and playing like back in the day..signature music!!!

[@edsroraphael]

maravilha! !! q solo me faz voltar ao tempo, anos 80 época muito boa da minha adolescência.

[@CHAVOROCK]

¡Felicitaciones! gracias por subir este video. Saludos desde Colombia.

[@ivanivanov6750]

Фокус 2, 3 Ян Аккерман исполняет блестяще, лучшие годы для него вместе с Фокусом!

[@nicko7054]

Brilliant band!.

[@sonykroket]

Akkerman will always be the greatest.

[@fueledbylove]

Some of the first Jazz Rock fusion music I ever heard. And Thijs is such a cut-up bugging-out his eyes and yodeling - makes me smile everytime.

[@germanbarros7115]

Que recuerdos y nostalgia revivir la magia de este tremendo grupo .Que alegría tan grande!!❤

[@carlolf]

Oh Boy! Those were the days! BTW: Jan Akkerman was the first rock guitarrist playing far from pentatonic.

[@thewizardsofprogg2431]

The guitar on the Moving Waves segment is amazing.

[@lastdaysguitar]

The years away have brought a little rust here & there in Jan's playing early in the set, but the heart of the music is still so strong!

[@optanteBR]

Que lindo concerto a nata do progressivo...especial espetacular sem mais adjetivos.

[@MrPeter3011]

GREAT,great Dutch PROG-Rock.....

[@mallit]

wonderful !!!!! Even Jans bum notes and sloppy playing at times, but truly inspirational... Love them.

[@thedolphin5428]

Ah ha, so someone else reckons Jan is sloppy and drops a few notes.

[@henrico7niente]

This four are the best Dutch band ever I think. And there are / were several very good.....Thank you. A pity that Jan and Thys were no friends anymore. Music can join and separe..

[@sjoerdmeijer1]

Allso populair at that time ,GOLDEN EARING

[@warvandal3443]

Tommy is just terrific

[@Ierlandful]

The best music ever after Mozart and Beethoven

[@RecliningFurniture]

What about Bach? 🤨

[@RecliningFurniture]

What about Bach? 🤨

[@Primordilian]

Bach is Tesla of music

[@paulspalace]

Always amazed at the pure tone from Jan, amp and guitar, no fx pedals, great line up.

[@alexkawamartins8548]

Fabulosos como sempre! FOCUS forever and ever!!

[@dbsound88]

They were unrecognized as they were a great progressive band in the 70s' and still are!

[@cesarbr1000]

I confess, I cryed ! great !

[@ZzZ0ne]

helemaal top de nu ja bijna "hele set".... dank u

[@PaulAmende]

Thanks for being part of my (musical) life. :)

[@henrico7niente]

Its a challenge to not join the competition about and in the band. It was a lot I presime. They were all excellent musicians who were together for some years....

[@radiobeijum]

Holy mother, how swell can a band be ?

[@guitarhack210]

What a Incredible band ! from the the first time i heard these guys in 1974 I still listen to it , it never gets old , just better I don't want to sound old but they sure as fuck don't make music like this anymore , and if you have any ideas of who you think is as good and innovative please tell me !

[@kevinbowes1738]

Like !

[@benvoiles2048]

I saw them in 1973 at Indiana University. Loved them.

[@ricardorosas9724]

aún hoy con la formación actual y el guitarrista Menno Gootjes siguen siendo geniales

[@michelhille8107]

Music for emptions and passion.

[@piotrdewiszek8932]

I know only a few viewers opens this link nowadays, but anyway I'd like to post here my opinion: there's no Focus music without Jan Akkerman, there's no Focus's heart&spirit without Thijs van Leer. Thanks Thijs for Focus, thanks Jan for excellent music!

[@malthuswasright]

Wish the old line-up would get together again. Last gig I saw had Van Leer, Ruiter, van der Linden, and bizarrely Jan was playing the same venue a week later. I hope if I was booking I'd have "accidentally" booked them for the same week.

[@JoseRuiz-ep2zv]

Oh!Focus what a great band!

[@JohnZokas-hf3qw]

Jan Ackerman had big problems with arthritis in his hands…. Takes its toll… playing special guitar over the years… good he still playing… seen focus twice glasgow 70 s…… 1st time was amazing… 2nd… time many technical problems… and he Jan Ackerman said sorry about the sound engineering failures… he then gave up….

[@patpao6933]

BELLISSIMO grazie veramente che emozione!

[@WvhKerkhof]

Jan paid a lot for this reunion it was worth the money!

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

God I love this band.

[@Spyhook]

Many people have never even heard of Focus.

[@armandocorzano4319]

La potencia de la música clásica revitalizada en el genio de Focus !!!!!

[@gerhardprasent3358]

It has to be said: as brilliant as the playing is - the compositions are even greater!!! ❤❤❤

[@George.Andrews.]

If Tommy isn't the most beautiful track ever played what is Maybe love remembered?

[@valton9651]

focus is no focus without jan akkerman.

[@jeanmariezeyen111]

this is one helluva band, where reunion would make sense !!

[@arievrolijk6947]

Wow. Wow wow wow. Jan is geweldig en zeker niet ‘sloppy’.

[@tedmckinney3944]

The best road trip music.

[@Glenn-e6c]

Excellent always

[@sandrocaria1379]

BRAVISSIMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hush7648]

Mooi sjaaltje Jan.

[@celljog]

so good they played it twice

[@ninoachcar9426]

Adoro o Focus desde sempre !

[@shaunkelly9860]

There is no better guitar player in the world.

[@ricardorosas9724]

Gigante Focus!!

[@paullevine1813]

Saw Focus in 1973 on their only USA Tour , they played at Merriweather Post Pavilion in MD & tickets were a whopping 3 bucks for the lawn seats & 6 to sit in the pavillion. At that place you can see great from either. They played for close to 3 hours & several standing ovations . Jan is as good as anyone that plays professionally if not better & that band was off the charts awesome . They were only known here for Hocus Pocus but all the folks that came to see them play knew that was just a silly cool song but it was not the real Focus & they like me were there to hear the real Focus just like all the rest of the tracks on those early albums were & they didn't disappoint the crowd . One of the best shows i've seen . Shame they never came back to the States , even these days Jan is fine staying in Europe but it sucks for we that know he's one of the best there is.

[@GustavoH3606]

maravilloso!!!

[@Happysongkla]

東京からです。upしてくれてありがとう😊

[@patpao6933]

Jan Akkerman un genio

[@UNOENELTODO]

Just the people that can "focus" properly can understand , can feel ,can enjoy the music of focus, unfortunately not many, just a few.

[@stanjanssen1218]

focus was top in composition and in style with Jan and Thijs. Both egoes made it unique

[@cesarindf1]

Una muy grata sorpresa haber encontrado este video de la reunión de FOCUS en 1991, como siempre un sonido muy limpio en vivo...gracias!!

[@janduemosenielsen3793]

Great song, Great band. Just great

[@josb5884]

geweldig !!!

[@peterrear2864]

Pure class

[@uhuhuuuhhh9883]

The supergroup !

[@EduardAntoniu]

Is it just sweat or a tear drops off down Thijs Van Leer's left eye at 11:55? Even Jan Akkerman seems nostalgic about the tune as he kicks it off.

[@dougb256]

Definitely sweat.

[@FocusFamilyArchive]

Time stamps 0:00 Focus 3 3:22 Focus 2 7:25 House of the King 12:26 Sylvia's Grandmother 13:22 Sylvia 16:33 Tommy

[@senicegy]

I guess they played Hocus Pocus but it’s nowhere to be find on the internet,a friend once told me he saw it somewhere but the performance on this gig was so bad that they eventually removed it.

[@ItsMeTheUser]

00:01 Focus III 03:23 Focus II 07:25 House Of The King 12:26 Sylvia 16:28 Tommy

[@dimitriskaraganis]

love them!

[@PaulCreedon]

One of those classics.. Thijs Jan pierre no idea

[@Governmenttruth]

Did you all see Thijs van Leer play the flute and his Hammond organ simultaneously? These old guys have some tricks up their sleeves....