PALLAS ON AIR: INTERVIEWS Progressive Rock Icon THIJS VAN LEER of FOCUS aboard CRUISE TO THE EDGE!

[@bierologeprof.prosten7792]

I love focus so much!! Such an underrated band.. Greetings from Germany✌

[@pallasonair6443]

I love them so much, too! (As I clearly expressed to Sir Thijs 💕)

Underrated????? Nonsense..😐😐

[@Alun49]

As a huge Frank Zappa fan, it was nice to hear Thijs talk about him as the first true progressive artist.

[@pallasonair6443]

Alun49 I feel you! I was lucky enough to see Dweezil & his fantastic band, in concert, twice. Most recently, just a few weeks ago on the “Hot Rats” tour, before they had to postpone the rest of the tour dates due to the current world health crisis. They certainly do Frank Zappa’s work justice. I actually felt quite moved in the middle of the concert - he is curating this legacy in the way that it deserves.

[@Alun49]

@@pallasonair6443 Yes! I saw the Hot Rats tour here in Oxford Uk and I all saw them a few years ago touring One Size Fits All. The closest thing to the real deal! I also caught the Virtual tour at the Palladium last Easter. I heard Hot Rats when it came out and loved it but it was not until after he died that I bought Yellow Shark and then backtracked through his albums. He has been a regular on my playlist and I listen monthly to how work and have done now for almost 30yrs. A remarkable musician and composer!

An icon...long live for Mr Van Leer ..and Focus..👍👍😀🇸🇻🇸🇻

[@doubledutch789]

Great interview with a Dutch legend. Finally got to watch it in full! Thank you Pallas. I can't believe you have been yodelled to in person by Sir Thijs!

[@pallasonair6443]

Yodeled to & privately coached! What an honor!!!

[@natethegreat1985]

As a Brazilian fan who has been to two of their concerts (São Paulo and Curitiba), it's an honor to hear Thijs speaking highly of Brazilians. Certainly the paying factor has changed (now people will pay enormous amounts to see their favourites artists). I'm hopeful to see Jan Akkerman playing some gigs with Focus again. He is, after all, among the great guitarists ever.

[@pallasonair6443]

Thanks for your comments. With all due respect, it is highly doubtful that Jan Akkerman would perform with Focus again. The current lineup of Focus is fantastic, featuring original members Sir Thijs, drummer Pierre van der Linden, guitarist Menno Gootjes, and bassist/ producer Udo Pannekeet. Udo & Menno are currently recording Udo’s solo project, and there is another new Focus album on the horizon. Stay tuned for upcoming releases of my interviews with Menno & Udo & another one with Sir Thijs!

[@natethegreat1985]

@@pallasonair6443 The current lineup is amazing, fully agree. Congratulations for the interview, Pallas! Keep'em coming :)

[@pallasonair6443]

Nathan Bomilcar Thank you!

[@pallasonair6443]

Nathan Bomilcar please subscribe to see the interviews as soon as they come out.

[@msaraiva]

@@pallasonair6443 well, with all due respect as well, if we're talking original members, Jan Akkerman was there before Menno and I'm not sure the band would have achieved the same level of success without him. He's one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) guitarists ever. I see Thijs and Jan as being complementary to each other, just like Lennon/McCartney were for The Beatles. And just like those two, I guess ego got in the way...

[@bradkesner]

Such a wonderful interview Pallas. Sir Thijs Van Leer and Focus have been a part of my mandatory Prog Rock collection. How fantastic to see him do a bit on his flute. Incredible talent that keeps getting better every year.

[@wangson]

This man is made of magic! What a talent!

[@pallasonair6443]

It’s true! 🙏🏼

[@smoothjazzuk5168]

Lovely man Thijs...God bless you!!!

[@pallasonair6443]

Smooth Jazz UK thank you! Much appreciated! I will be releasing another interview I filmed with Sir Thijs, and other members of FOCUS. Please be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss it when it comes out.

[@smoothjazzuk5168]

Pallas On Air will do...thank you x

[@jbliborio]

This interview is 2 years old but I tell you the first time I heard Focus was back in 1980 and I was introduced by a very good friend of mine . It´s fantastic to hear Thijs Van Leer that along side Ian Anderson is my favourite flautists on rock. Thank you for this amazing interview and i send you a warm regard from Brazil.

[@pallasonair6443]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview! It was a great honor and a lot of fun to interview Sir Thijs! I have another interview with him forthcoming, as well as with other members of Focus. Stay tuned. Thank you for your kind words and for subscribing 🙏🏼

[@pinkowl4738]

Most beautiful man in the world! Thank you!

[@pallasonair6443]

Bam Boo you are most welcome!

[@pallasonair6443]

Bam Boo I have another interview coming out with Sir Thijs, + interviews with guitarist Menno, & bassist Udo. Stay tuned!

[@pinkowl4738]

@@pallasonair6443 Lucky girl. Looking forward to more. New sub.

[@pallasonair6443]

Bam Boo thank you! You can also see some sneak peek pix & updates on my facebook page & my soon to be launched website “Pallas On Air” .

[@jlmcmanus4121]

YOOODOOLEEY!!! Thank you for capturing amazing music set on the beautiful seas. Video and audio are great, too.

[@pallasonair6443]

Thank you for your lovely feedback. Much appreciated!

[@mishypoo]

What a great interview! I love Thijs Van Leer! It is great to listen to the amazing history. Thank you!!!

[@pallasonair6443]

Thank you!

[@DeanSluyter01]

Great stuff! Pallas, I especially like the way you get these people talking - with your relaxed charm, with your knowledgeability, and with your authentic passion for the music. Let's see more of these!

[@pallasonair6443]

Thanks so much for your kind words & interest. More on the way!

[@tedzeppelin128]

Awesome to see one of my early prog influences talking about the early days and playing “House of the King”!

[@pallasonair6443]

Yes! And it was such an honor for me to be privately serenaded with “House of the King” by Sir Thijs in that beautiful setting!

[@weftdigital7592]

Wow! This awesome! Great job, Pallas. Can't wait to see the next interview!

[@MichelleSinNJ]

Wow this interview is so great. Thank you so much for a deeper insight into Sir Thijs. Focus is an amazing band and he truly is an Icon!!! and how great is that backdrop, Cruise to the Edge is fantastic. What a treasure!!!

[@pallasonair6443]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏🏼

[@Yonpol2X]

I love the coat the interviewer was wearing. The coat looks very relaxing.

[@daviraftopoulosoliveira3731]

Thanks for the interview!

[@ClassicRockArchive]

Really well done with the beautiful backdrop of the blue water, the flute, yodeling, 2 camera shoot, easy conversation. Let the labor of love continue! (Cyndy Drue)

[@pallasonair6443]

ClassicRockArchive Cyndy, thank you so much for your kind words & supportive comments. It means a great deal to me, especially coming from a seasoned professional in the field, such as yourself. I look forward to getting more familiar with your work, and I hope our paths will cross one day.

[@ClassicRockArchive]

@@pallasonair6443 Me, too!

[@MissSwing]

Great interview Pallas!

[@pallasonair6443]

Thank you so much!

[@adrianihringer2897]

At one point I was concerned that if the boat rocked his flute might roll off the table and go overboard which would have been a disaster. Roll on FOCUS.

[@pallasonair6443]

Glass guard rail :)

[@SongSwan]

Nice to see an interveiw in english,now maybe Golden Earring will do one.

[@pallasonair6443]

SongSwan thank you! Dankjewel! I’d actually love to interview members of Golden Earring the next time I’m in The Netherlands.

[@SongSwan]

@@pallasonair6443 I was a big fan of both bands back in the day before the internet so they were just mysterious people in pictures with few appearences,now there are interveiws and video but mostly in Dutch so us American fans can't realy follow along.....too old to learn a new language.

[@pallasonair6443]

@@SongSwan I understand! I was actually recently interviewed in English, on Dutch radio by drummer, radio and t.v. presenter, Fred Zuiderwijk, (Cesar's cousin), who has a side project with Cesar. (see link to facebook live stream simulcast just below) I've put it out there to interview Cesar the next time I'm in NL, and we'll see about getting the whole Golden Earring on board. If you have any burning questions you'd like me to ask them, feel free to post them right here! March 16th, 2018 Parkroad Café Radio interview! Fred Zuiderwijk interviews Pallas ( Uploaded from Facebook live stream simulcast) facebook.com/pallas.vanderkroftsluyter/videos/10215691307544453/

[@SongSwan]

@@pallasonair6443 I guess the only question i would have is why they decided to quit touring the states,they put out some great albums especially Moontan which was a masterpiece,then poof they were gone.In the days before the internet i thought they had called it a day then i see videos of them playing huge venues in Europe....just wondering what happened.

[@gonzaloreyes8782]

They are doing more jazz right now

[@mgoulet002]

I came here to hear the band Pallas.

[@pallasonair6443]

Matt Goulet I’m sure if you keep looking you’ll find them. In the meantime welcome to Pallas On Air!

[@pallasonair6443]

Pallas is my given (birth) name.

[@herbertdarick7693]

i had my heart in my mouth watching this video. So afraid that the flute would fall into the ocean.

[@pallasonair6443]

😂

[@pallasonair6443]

Oh, dear... you just need to change your FOCUS!

[@herbertdarick7693]

@@pallasonair6443 A gust of wind or a slightly out of control arm gesture by either of you and that flute had been history. What then? Thijs dives after his flute. What then? Drama, tragedy, comedy, or a love story?

[@pallasonair6443]

@@herbertdarick7693 Thijs being a consummate professional musician, and myself being a professional dancer and choreographer, we both have a strong command of our motor skills. I see you like writing stories, but I just want to set your mind at ease LOL

[@sturoc0]

Glass panels behind them