WE WILL NEVER FORGET THIS!!.. | FIRST TIME HEARING Focus -Hocus Pocus REACTION

WE WILL NEVER FORGET THIS!!.. | FIRST TIME HEARING Focus -Hocus Pocus REACTION
Original Video:
Welcome to Rob Squad Reactions This is a music reaction channel. My passion is being a content creator, and providing my audience with unique, funny, and never before seen reaction videos. I have come to grow a love for all types of music from my beloved rap to heavy metal and I want to share that love with all of you. Being a content creator is my passion and it brings me so much joy and being able to share my passion and joy with all of you and grow as a community is an amazing feeling. In addition to reacting to all different types of music, I am also a a husband to my amazing wife Amber and a dad to 3 amazing kids Bria, Kiya and Luca. I am here to try and make a change in this world starting with something that brings us all together MUSIC!!
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[@dbradx]

The Midnight Special was notorious for limiting the time bands got, so most bands played shorter versions of their songs. Not Focus - they just played it at double speed 😀. Great choice you guys, one of the all-time great live performances - peace and love!

[@tuckermoreland147]

lmfao double speed - lol😀😀😀

[@johneppo4133]

Try " Frankenstein" by Johnny Winter👍👍👍👍

[@johneppo4133]

Try the studio version very good👍👍👍👍

[@JoTracy]

Hahahaha! I thought it seemed a lot faster than I remembered

[@johneppo4133]

@@JoTracy yes I agree it was a lot faster 👍👍👍👍

[@w.randyhoffman1204]

The studio version of this song is longer and slower, but for TV appearances, Focus was usually told to "keep it to four minutes or less". Rather than leave off any portion of the song, the band just accelerated it to Ludicrous Speed :-)

[@chriso6719]

Ludicrous speed... They've gone to PLAID.🤣🤣

[@caseymoe816]

My first thought: “Is this the very first punk rock song?” Had the uptempo thrash of a garage band, then bam, yodeling. 😂🤙

[@nursetom61]

They left out the "Popeye" part

[@sundayze]

i just stopped this video to go listen to the long version. I like it much better. These guys sounded like they were tweakin'. Why don't I remember this one? LOL

[@theaffiliate4208]

Yes, this shortened version left out the outro with the "Super Funk" bass and guitar duet that faded out to a super cool rift. Had this on a 45 back in the early 70's. They were really out there, but so good, you listened over and over again and again.

[@bencornish6910]

I’ve never seen 2 people look so happy watching a video in my life!!

[@omunozl]

Oh, you haven't explored Jay AND Amber... These 2 are so much fun to watch.

[@misterbonzoid5623]

It's true.

[@sunnystormy4973]

-funny-

[@henkbangma3015]

Why are you guys so prominent in this video rather than Focus?

[@phil291254]

Old Folk Rock hey !!! Hocus Pocus magic🎉

[@waynedeadder664]

As a 42 year professional musician, you have to acknowledge Jan’s guitar playing. It’s nothing short of spectacular.

[@jublaim]

Absolutely! He's blasting that Fender amp loud, and the guitar lines he put out at this speed is so accurate!

[@ajruther67]

Your expressions when he first opened his mouth .... priceless!!!

[@christinegelabert1651]

@AthenaR YUP! How many of us was sitting back here thinking to ourselves ok, here it comes...oh here it comes, just give it another second... They're going to get hit by the awesome in about 2 seconds flat! 🤘

[@ajruther67]

@@christinegelabert1651 seriously! Because we all know what happens where and when. I think that was the most shocked I've seen them. I pretty much laughed through the whole video at their reactions.

[@kevinmclaughlin1092]

Best reaction by you guys so far! 👏👏 Glad you enjoyed it so much like we all did the first time! 😆

[@ajruther67]

@@kevinmclaughlin1092 I can't remember my reaction thr first time I heard it. I vaguely remember being surprised but loved his yodeling and such. I loved that it was so different from anything I heard before.

[@harrynikken]

Jan Akkerman is regarded one of the best guitar players ever. Singer Thijs van Leer still performs this song 50 years later. Still does keyboards and flute as well. Very sweet guy!! Also plays classical. btw: All Dutch band. Very famous in Holland at the time. And still highly respected.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Jan Akkerman, Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, you got to put your ears to work with those.

[@michaeltylerfelsenthal4213]

Jimi Hendrix is the GOAT!! 2nd best Jimmy Paige 3rd best Richie Blackmore

[@corybritton1966]

Regarded as "one of the greatest guitar players ever"? By whom???? You? Lol, he couldn't even reproduce the licks from their studio version live, OF THEIR OWN SONG!!! here, lol! You would really be willingly to stack this guy up against the likes of Hendrix, Page, Beck, Clapton, Barre, SRV, Townsend, Lee, Lifeson, Ralph's, man I could go on for days

[@kneh39]

​@@michaeltylerfelsenthal4213No Paige no 1

[@jeffreymcgahren7110]

@@corybritton1966 I can tell that you know very little about playing guitar. Do you know anything about the band focus? Do you know anything about the background of Akkerman? I agree that he is one of the best guitarists and I would certainly put him up there with the list of the players you mentioned and even ABOVE some of the players you mentioned. The man also plays killer classical guitar and lute but you are sadly too much of a moron to be aware of that because you didn’t bother looking into his body of work. Also, he doesn’t have to replicate all the licks perfectly right from the record. It’s called improvising and most bands want to expand beyond the studio version when playing a song live. You are an ignorant fool who knows absolutely nothing about music. Akkerman was and is still a very damn good player. Go FY

[@ajorngjdonaydbr]

One of the greatest joys in life is just putting "Hocus Pocus Focus Reaction" into KZbin. Probably the purest reactions you'll ever see

[@stevious7278]

Focus were a Dutch band. "Sorry, but you only have 3 minutes so you have to cut your 7 minute song in half", says The Midnight Special. "I don't think so;" says Focus. "We'll just play twice as fast' And the rest is television history. The audience didn't seem to mind. Your reaction is priceless!!

[@houngandave]

"you have half the time, so you can't play the whole song." "hold my beer."

[@ruivasqueiro1399]

Netherlands band

[@snowdenwyatt6276]

As it turns out, this was an edited down version. Full length versions here kzbin.info/www/bejne/farbhKmQhMesa5Y or here kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGaseaeYmriokJY They just liked playing it this fast 😃 Not surprising as this song went through several released versions before they released a version that became a big hit.

[@NT-fo3me]

"What was that?" THAT was Dutch rock and roll yodeling. This song hooked me the moment I heard it as a kid in the 70s. Still love it.

[@joescullion5604]

Same here!

[@abelincoln3287]

Jay and Amber. This reaction is why I bombarded you with requests for this song! It blew your minds like I thought it would.

[@dennishoaglund4512]

Great suggestion. Always have liked this song. Every time it came on the radio I had to turn it up.

[@abelincoln3287]

@@dennishoaglund4512 My dad actually said to me and my brother "Turn that yodeling nonsense crap off". We still listened to the song, just not when he could hear it.

[@ambertaylor4554]

Thank you so much!

[@ambertaylor4554]

For requesting that to them!

[@abelincoln3287]

@@ambertaylor4554 The reaction was priceless!

[@steverakes6182]

The first and only standing ovation ever given on the Midnight Special.

[@ingeborgsvensson4896]

The guy's name is Thijs van Leer, well known in the Netherlands. They wanted to play the entire song so they decided to play it at double speed. Nowadays eveything has to fit in a box, back then we just called it pop music.

[@michaelburggraf2822]

From the Netherlands... I should have guessed that! Wonderful!

[@erik5374]

That guy is alive and kicking. And living only 20 km’s from where I live.

[@mikicoal]

They actually did cut the song a little. There was a second iteration of the original yodelling part for starters. Speeding it up was just showing off. ;-)

[@d.kyrstede8185]

This is one of the greatest live performance ever.

[@Funkytrip73]

Nightwish - Ghost Love Score, live at whacken 2013. Thank me later.

[@OZAHS1959]

Thank God I was a teenager in the 70's. I remember watching Midnight Special every week with my friends. The music was always stretching boundaries, from Bowie to Edgar Winter Group, we were entertained and amazed every effing week. The musicianship and creativity was undoubtedly far above most of the auto-tuned crap coming out today. And it is so much fun seeing youngsters discovering how cool my generation really was.

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 I loved that show too. Did you watch, “In Concert”? That was a good one as well.

[@voodooacidman]

omg, the winters brothers! was there a single instrument those boys did not excel at? big love to all people :)

[@OZAHS1959]

Do you mean "Ron Kirchner's Rock Concert"? If so yes!

[@voodooacidman]

@@OZAHS1959 yes! so glad someone else remembers that show! :)

[@JustMe-vk4fn]

(High-five) from a fellow 70's teen. I never had much use for social media until you tube came out. Now I can enjoy some of the best music ever recorded - again. :D

[@mrsteadyhands6408]

My dad bless him, asked me before he died that this is played at his funeral. We did, and it was the 6 minute long version. I had to do my speech straight after. RIP Dad 👍⚒️

[@LeighStark-bd9gr]

I bet your dad was a riot, God bless him.

[@Juggaloolddude]

OMG I'm crying. I was 12 and listened to this on AM radio. I truly love your reactions. Thanks. Don't ever lose your passion. Peace

[@pickersparadise]

Yep, i was 12 or 13 myself and to say it blew my young mind away would be a huge understatement !! watching Midnight Special every weekend …Forget if it was today or Saturdays.. i’m guessing Sat…..

[@pickersparadise]

i meant to say : not sure if Midnight Special was on Fridays or Saturdays!!!

[@robertheckman8013]

Focus is considered mostly a progressive rock band.

[@acfiv1421]

Correct. Prog rock was a movement that intentionally pulled elements from other forms of music than folk/blues/country, "Love you, baby, now bend over" style which are the traditional roots of rock / rock & roll. So they would go into long 20-40 minute multi part symphonic style compositions, use jazz elements (even ballet - Pink Floyd tried that), strange lyrics, and... yodelling? Why the hell not.

[@adrianstabbinsartistinresi9875]

It's really "progressive rock" and they are all true virtuoso musicians. 👍

[@james_robnett]

Yeah definitely progressive rock and not folk. But I do love watching somebody hear them for the first time.

[@zacknicley8150]

There’s nothing progressive about this, it’s straight rock n roll. There are no chord progressions specifically. There are no time signature changes or odd meters. The number of chords is few and none of them are especially complex. The song structure is simple. It’s really six and a half, or a compressed five, minutes of the same thing being repeated over and over. The same riff followed by a drum fill, followed by a vocal line, followed by a silly part. It’s not progressive rock by any proper definition.

[@76magicman]

@@zacknicley8150 Jan Ackerman and Thijs van Leer the guitarist and the mouth musician (not singer ) organ player calls them self progressive rock at the time! you can call it today what you like but at the time i think they know the best what kind of music they made!

[@ALT3PFL3G3R]

Art Rock, like Yes , just more acid ^^

[@BartholomewSmutz]

@@zacknicley8150 This particular song might not be Progressive Rock but Focus was definitely a Progressive Rock Band. Check out Hamburger Concerto and Anonymous II. This song was an anomaly among their music.

[@aldobelli8300]

The guitarist, Jan Ackermann, was considered one of the best, if not the best, guitarist in the rock world at the time. The lady at the beginning is Gladys Knight. Focus is considered a progressive rock band. A little known fact is that this performance by Focus on The Midnight Special was one of the only ones to receive a standing ovation by the audience.

[@pickersparadise]

that’s right: A Standing Ovation!!

[@wes11bravo]

Jan Ackermann is absolutely amazing technically and stylistically.

[@pickersparadise]

jan Ackermann was So far head of anyone not to mention that Wild Man Keyboard ( Organ) / yodeller and that drummer…. wow….. still blows me away just like it did when i first heard it at age 14, i highly recommend the whole album: Focus; Moving Waves…. you wont regret it I promise!!

[@wes11bravo]

@@pickersparadise - I will do that, brother - thanks. Focus definitely stands apart from most of the other 70s prog rock bands, most of whom are just too over the top baroque for me. It's not hard to understand why bands like the Stooges and the Ramones played music that was 180° out of phase from bands like ELP and Yes. That said, this performance of Hocus Pocus is stellar - it's tight and precise but just raw and frenetic enough to keep a true rock and roll edge, one that appeals to a guy who still loves 3 chord punk rock.

[@inekebaalman3320]

His name is Jan Akkerman😊

[@douglasmarkussen8529]

I am literally laughing my asterisk off! My eyes are getting teared up. Your reactions are PRICELESS!

[@MiamiSpartan1]

😂😂😂😂. Love this!,

[@karenpickford7112]

The lady who introduced them is none other than the legend herself, Gladys Knight. She would be a great pick for Female Friday with her song Midnight Train To Georgia.

[@raymartin7172]

I wondered when someone would point that out. Loved Focus back in the day. Sadly, on the only occasion I saw them live, Jan Akkerman was so pissed/stoned that he couldn't play properly. Thijs van Leer is still around. Hugely talented guy.

[@karenpickford7112]

@@raymartin7172 I would have loved to have seen them live back then.

[@Chappomusic]

I thought it was Oprah Winfrey before she discovered sugar in her coffee.

[@BadlndsBob]

Or Gladys Knight and the Pips, "Heard it Through the Grapevine".

[@lukagovorcin3610]

HAHAHA " I'VE HEARD IT TO THE GRAPEVINE"!?? FANTASTIC " CCR " SONG!! GOD BLESS YOU!

[@dess8287]

Your reaction priceless lol! *Focus* is a progressive rock band, they're vocalist/flute player/keyboard/organ/piano name is *Thijs Van Leer* the drummer *Hans Cleuver* Bassist *Martijn Dresden* and guitarist *Jan Akkerman* by the way they're all Dutch. And yes the rest of songs have the incorporation of the style of vocals minus the yodeling. *Love ❤️ Peace ✌️ and Happiness 😃 Y'all !!*

[@dankofanz]

But this clip is Burt Reiter (bass) and Pierre Van Der Linden, yes? Saw the band at the Rainbow in London. Amazing.

[@annereidy7981]

you left out understanding, but other than that, great comment, now lets hope that youtube doesn't post this comment to a different channel like it just did five mins ago! Yes, I posted this comment here only to find it on a different channel with absolutely no connection, strangely, this is the second time this has happened to me, anyone else experience the same thing?

[@atombomb31458]

Pierre Van DER Linden on drums

[@Harry_PP030]

@@dankofanz correct. It's Bert Ruiter btw :-)

[@milojanis4901]

Thijs van Leer is phenomenally talented. He does this version like he just dropped a couple speeders for supper, and he's off to the races!!! What tremendous vocal range!!

[@Sue474]

I'd forgotten how much I loved this. I was 19 years old in 1973! I may be old, but at least I've heard some fantastic music in my time. 😁

[@rondegroot1508]

Hell of a band!

[@gwydion56]

I watched the Midnight Special every week in 1973, and this one was unforgettable. I was a 1956 baby, and you and I got to see an amazing amount of uniquely wonderful music.

[@milojanis4901]

You and me both, brother! This song and Stairway to Heaven were both blockbusters in '72-'73. It was a magical time for R&R and great electric guitarists....

[@Jackobad]

I envy you! I am 50 years old but I would love to live 60s and 70s !

[@DebraHarter-uy3xy]

Me too! Graduated HS in 1972 and the next year this song was on the radio! Great music for cruising downtown!

[@sixslinger9951]

this guitarist was a complete shredder before anyone knew what it was. he was even sweep picking in a spot or two. those chromatic runs and his picking was spot on!

[@phoenixw2]

He still is playing and still is, but these days he's mellowed into greater depth and complexity...

[@111oooo]

Jan Ackerman is one of the most incredible guitarists ever

[@spoonunit03]

Are you knackered man? No I'm Jan Ackerman. HMHB.

[@phoenixw2]

Yep, he is, really top bloke too, and he continues to write music and tour...

[@phoenixw2]

Except his name is spelt Akkerman.

[@111oooo]

@@phoenixw2 Thanks I wondered if I spelled his name correctly 😊

[@maartenvos379]

The jan akkerman band saw them in the late nineties in the tagrijn hilversum

[@Sdw77]

Actually can’t believe you reacted to this one, one of the songs of my misspent youth. This used to be on the jukebox when I started going to the pub in the 90s, as each song was only 50p everybody put this song on because you got 11 minutes of music for 50p, and the whole pub would sing a long every single time it played. Absolute madness absolutely brilliant, I love it🫶🏽

[@user-kn4sy6zt9y]

A great example of the prog rock; free and super creative.

[@robertfitterman3777]

Dutch progressive rock legends Focus!! As previously stated here, due to the programming restraints of the Midnight Special, bands were usually requested to shorten their songs if they were over 4 minutes. Focus did not want to cheapen the song, so they played it at twice normal speed. The studio version of the song is actually over 6 minutes and much slower! Oh yeah, the yodeler, vocalist, flute, keyboard player is: Thijs van Leer. Such a talented band!!

[@SmedIndy]

Oh my! This was a Top 10 hit! It was actually released on an album two years before in Europe. They were a respected prog-rock band (formed in 1969 in Amsterdam) that had a lot of l-o-n-g songs and weren't into singles and this is probably the only thing that sounded like this. Somehow, this hit in 1973 after they were on a BBC program in late 1972 (supporting their third album, and they played this as part of the show even though it was on an earlier album). It got people wanting this as a sinlge, and there you go. I blame the drugs. Oh, and guitarist Jan Akkerman is a beast.

[@nathanboyd3179]

Totally agree, Jan Akkerman is a beast.

[@Eurynomea]

Whenever I need to smile, I replay your reaction to this song. You two are so precious.

[@HarryGuit]

No matter who‘s reacting to Hocus Pocus they all go crazy about the yodeling part and never seem to hear this most outstanding guitar performance by Jan Akkerman, one of the greatest rock guitarists ever.

[@seanprice6535]

The guys, Focus, are prog rock kings!! They are all Incredibles talented musicians who pushed the limits of experimental music in the 70's. They are totally awesome! I watched this exact episode of Midnight Special and loved it. They are freaking geniuses of music. This is actually serious music! Peace and Love!

[@mevenstien]

I saw it too they are so talented 🙂

[@sallybannister6224]

I think they are Dutch.. or German ? Try "Sylvia, " No yodelling, just a beautiful instrumental melody ... By the way, from London England, you guys and the lovely children are a great example of fantastic humans , and amazing lovely parents God Bless you all .👍🏻👍🏾💖💖💖💖💖

[@grabtharshammer]

@@sallybannister6224 Dutch :)

[@dana_brooke_27]

Prog rock..like Pink Floyd Yes and early Genesis? Kings over them?

[@seanprice6535]

@@dana_brooke_27 I'm a musician myself and a student of music from the mid 50's thru the early 80's and taught classes at our local university on the music from those decades. I say all that to make this point...many of the bands that are considered prog rock look to early bands like Focus and King Crimson etc. for inspiration. In the end, each of us rate the bands we like according to taste. I stand by my statement about Focus being Kings of prog rock but there's nothing that says you have to agree with me. It's cool with me if you disagree. Peace and Love!

[@cliffsmelley5026]

Just to touch on what others have mentioned in regard to the band playing the song at a much faster tempo. The song is originally 6:42 in length. Once you get past laughing at some of this performance, you become impressed they played at such a speed to fit within the time constraints placed on them but The Midnight Special.

[@user-fu5ln5it7o]

You can’t hear this song and not smile 😊

[@peterquin499]

Focus first appeared in England on a TV show called The Old Grey Whistle Test when they played this and a track called Sylvia. They had just recently released their first album and the reaction to their appearance was huge. To the extent that their record label stopped producing every album except Focus, to meet demands. Talking of their OGWT appearance I can recommend you do a review of Sylvia- it’s beautiful

[@ritasparrow3563]

Sylvia is one of my favourite tunes ever.

[@pickersparadise]

one of my favorite all time albums was Focus - Movimg Waves…. absolutely spectacular… all of it the guitar playing, keys, vocals drums … all of them were spot on …. standards were so much higher back then i’m sorry to say … no AI bullshit or drum machines or pitch correcting none of it!! u had to actually be able to PLAY!!!

[@JimiBurleigh]

The look on Amber's face at the vocals was precious. Dutch "Scat" singing on the Midnight Special! How freakin' cool is that? This really was a groundbreaking track at the time it came out. It was Focus's' only hit but the track was transformative. European Progr Rock is the genre by the way.

[@josephclark8527]

They also had a hit called Sylvia

[@daveowens9849]

@@josephclark8527 Didn't chart in the U.S.

[@djhrecordhound4391]

@@daveowens9849 If you capped your limits to US charts, you've missed too many hits from the rest of the world.

[@DaniSInNC]

I was going to say the genre was prog rock or jam band like Phish.

[@patverum9051]

They had plenty hits in Europe, sold millions of records. But not in the the USA, the North Korea of music.Your music mafia is effective...

[@AndrewGruffudd]

The yodeller/flautist/whistler/keyboardist is Thijs van Leer, and he's still with the band along with drummer Pierre van der Linden. They played a set in Holland, their home base, in August of this year, although Thijs can't hit the high notes as much as he could. There are some songs with lyrics, a few - like Why Dream, Moving Waves and Happy Nightmare - being in English, Round Goes the Gossip being Latin and the hymn from Hamburger Concerto being in Dutch.

[@simongrundy2208]

Seen them a few times in the last 15 years or so and they are fantastic live. Thijs is a fantastically eccentric performer. Love 'em!

[@76magicman]

It's just like going to the rolling stones you go to see the past not for there quality they have right now

[@patrincon6299]

Ur reaction, priceless!!!!!!!

[@stevenforcey7788]

Your reactions are classic. I’m still laughing 👍

[@ajruther67]

Frankenstein live by the Edgar Winter Group should be next after this Did I mention LIVE?!

[@Diva369]

*YAAAAS* ‼️‼️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️FRANKENSTEIN 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️ ‼️‼️

[@txheadshots]

Oh, yes. Need a whole bunch of Halloween style songs… maybe a week’s worth heading into Halloween Spooky, Frankenstein

[@txheadshots]

Hit send too soon… Thriller, Black Magic Woman… start a community post and get suggestions for Halloween week

[@ajruther67]

@@txheadshots Oh yeah! Monster Mash too! And Dead Man's Party.

[@ginnywelsh6232]

“Witchy Woman” by the Eagles

[@Green-Lyon]

Vocalist, keyboardist, flute player and all around mad Dutch musical legend, Thijs Van Leer is such a joy to behold. Last time seeing him was on stage playing flute in a song called, ''The Castle Hall'' as a part of a concert entitled, "Electric Castle Live and Other Tales" put on by the Prog-metal rock opera project, "Ayreon".

[@Green-Lyon]

@@stefanjanssen3782 🙂👍

[@bevohw]

Great reacion A long time ago And sorry for my late reaction He had only 10 minutes to get on stage haha I drove the policecar and my mate took over his car A bizarre ride but we made it Just seen it In 1978 when I was stil a cop We recieved a call from him He had to perform in our city but was lost He drove in a mini cooper So we helped him to get on time for the concert He was a remarkle man I was already a fan from Focus so after the concert he invited us and gave us free tickets for there new concert as VIP's haha Something you will never forget., Great reaction from you Greetings from an Old Dutchman

[@lebe220]

Nice story. I feel sorry for the farmers in the Netherlands these days. Schöne Grüße aus Niederbayern

[@steveclark8962]

I just can't stop watching your reactions ❤❤❤

[@corvus1374]

They were Dutch. The lead singer, Thijs van Leer, was made a Knight by the Dutch monarchy.

[@christinegelabert1651]

@corvus13 ohhh... thanks for the information! I was actually unaware that he was knighted, that's wonderful! What an amazing honor for him. 🤘

[@hepchaos]

so, is he Jonkheer Leer? lol

[@corvus1374]

@@hepchaos van Leer, probably.

[@Kae6502]

I was about 16 years old when this song came out and remember it being played in heavy rotation on the radio at the time. This is a live version and definitely NOT lip -synced. Huge props to the band for this!! Very odd song even back then, but it brings back SO many memories - Riding my bike in the alley then going home for supper... (sigh) Thank you!

[@kidwave1]

PURE ENERGY! Impossible not to join them on the wave their on, and feel the energy theyre putting out.

[@charlesforbes3627]

This song is so loved because it just makes you feel good!!!!

[@grayfool]

Best reaction ever! Love the look on you're faces! Once you've heard this you will never forget it, it's just out there. Brilliant musicians, amazing performance. Thijs van Leer is the flute playing yodelling monster. Jan Ackerman is the genius guitar player, and Hans Cleuver on drums.

[@andrewplumb6544]

Pierre van der Linden on drums and Bert Ruuiter on bass,my friend, saw them live when this was charting in the UK. I had no idea what to expect but their whole set was mind blowing. Thijs is still touring a version of the band!

[@inekebaalman3320]

Guys, their names are Jan Akkerman and Bert Ruiter…and yes, this is Pierre van der Linden.

[@fmtfniuprog8029]

@@inekebaalman3320 and Thijs van Leer

[@inekebaalman3320]

@@fmtfniuprog8029 I know, I’m Dutch and grew up with them😀! I spelled the other guys’ names because a lot of people don’t get their names right, or think that the drummer is a different person altogether☺️!

[@fmtfniuprog8029]

​@@inekebaalman3320 Hi Ineke, I'm Portuguese and I really like Focus! Are you friends with these fantastic musicians? Greetings!

[@blameit6]

Hocus Pocus by Focus was actually a warm up session they did before performing but the audience loved it so much there was huge demand for them to put it on the album and they did. I am so happy someone did a reaction to it.

[@user-uv6wp8zu9r]

No one commented on the band. They were a Dutch Progressive Folk band, It was pretty awesome when they first hit America.

[@theodoreritola7641]

Reminds me of TINY TIM LOL

[@billanderson8194]

This is why I follow you guys. Your reactions are the best and most genuine

[@ericanderson8886]

A classic, but the guitarist Jan Akkerman is legendary.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Jan is shredding before it was a thing.

[@drmauriciodiaz]

Totally underrated.

[@SueK51]

One of the best!

[@user-fu5ln5it7o]

Whole band is great 😊

[@transfiguredearth]

Glad yall feeling it, this song is so close to the embodiment of pure joy

[@nebelungpixie9373]

OH !!!!!!!!! “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce. You HAVE to do this one soon. Croce is one of those awesome singer/songwriter/storytellers. Same night, listen to Harry Chapin “Cat’s in the Cradle”. I think you would appreciate these two songs tremendously. Anyone else agree without spoiling anything?

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 Agreed - 2 Great songs

[@XCaliKev]

Forgot, I played Cat’s in the Cradle for my dad long time ago (70’s) we both cried. Memories (oh man, I’m not requesting memories)

[@joshuablevins4340]

Harry Chappins original "Cats in the cradle" is just.... mehh. Ok. At best. Now...the Ugly Kid Joe remake/cover- really really good. Far superior version and not even close!

[@nebelungpixie9373]

@@joshuablevins4340 I have the UKJ “Everything About You” 45. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jayblackwood3736]

From a beautiful song perspective, I might go with "Operator". From a story perspective, how about "Big Bad Leroy Brown"? Chapin's "Thirty thousand pounds of bananas" or "Mr. Tanner" and good choices - especially for story telling. Listen to the recordings from the "Greatest stories live" album (which is still on my play list).

[@carybrauer9669]

Im laughing so hard, tears are coming to my eyes. This song is soooooo cool and im glad to see you love it. AMBER, ROCK IT GIRL! Its amazing how he can sing like this. The instruments are great too. Music sees no color!

[@nathanwahl9224]

Ain't that a hoot!!! I think this is probably the happiest I've ever see you guys!!!

[@22CAPTAIN]

Ya all’s reaction to this is the best I’ve seen. The pure joy while watching it is infectious

[@katdeskinner]

This 65 yr old dude thought this song was crazy when i was a teen. Glad to see I wasn’t the only one. Congrats, you just got my subscription because of both your positive attitudes. Need more youth like you. Peace, Love, and Soulllllll.

[@eluv9660]

ROFLMAO!!! This performance is a testament to core rule: never let the stoner in the group make the decisions. But I sure am glad they did it that way. I loved how shocked @RobSquad was during this performance. It never gets old.

[@wickedmirage]

This wasn't a stoner making a decision, this was a band standing their ground against a music show that told them to "cut the time of the song down". Rather than cut their song up - they played it double time.

[@patverum9051]

SIR Thijs van Leer was never a stoner...serious musician with a conservatory degree.

[@eluv9660]

It was a joke, dudes. Get a life. And the decision was good for a novelty video, but when you are a foreign band getting introduced to America? ....

[@Derideo]

@@eluv9660 Spouting off anti cannabis propaganda is so last century...

[@eluv9660]

@@Derideo if you only knew....

[@sean3038]

This is definitely the best reaction I have seen yet. This is what you get when you cram a roughly 7 minute song into 3 minutes.

[@Les-vp8si]

Double speed so they didn't have to cut the song in half , priceless.

[@nicholasbomia4799]

70s music is off the chain. Fun, experimental and dripping with talent.

[@robertkaplan1007]

One of the few standing ovations on the midnight special

[@cosmodozer]

“That was so cool ! That was so cool !” That is the greatest reaction I have ever seen. She hit the nail on the head.

[@sergiosolis4538]

Both of your facial expressions are epic, and Amber's laugh is wonderful.

[@gj8683]

As a piece of music, it is brilliant in that every part is memorable. It's like it's nothing but hooks, even the drum breaks. And Jan Akkerman, the guitarist, is highly respected as a jazz artist as well. Another fun fact is that before the event you see here, they were the backing band for the Dutch production of the musical "Hair."

[@traduseuse5895]

Does anyone know when exactly did our girl Amber go from swaying Amber to headbanging Amber? 🙂 You go girl! I love seeing you guys' evolution through that musical journey.

[@kennethlatham3133]

Maybe around the time she gave birth. Would be my guess.

[@frederickbays405]

that is what these guys do to u

[@guitarzan5328]

J and Amber were *not ready* for this video 😂🤣

[@robl.2047]

I remember the midnight special back in the day on friday nights and always stayed up to watch it. BUT THIS BAND WAS JUST A GREAT ROCK N ROLL BAND!!!!!!! PERIOD

[@chrisshaw6242]

You two are brilliant. You had me smiling the whole way through that! Love your little headbanging sessions!

[@KayeWhye]

So.... I dozed off earlier, and woke up thinking "CRAP! I gotta get movin!" As soon as I sat up, this notification hit my tablet. HAD TO WATCH! So glad I did. Watching you two freak out on this was pure magic! This version is so fast because it's on The Midnight Special. The studio version is also quite awesome. I remember when it would come on the radio in my car. Anyone within a half a block would be trying to figure out not only WHAT they were hearing, but WHERE it was coming from. That's when they would spot me, in my car at a stop light, air drumming like I was havin a seizure.... Good times! I miss that car. It was the loudest car stereo of any of my friends growing up. It was a cruiser, a concert machine on wheels. I can't even remember how many speakers or amps that I blew out, but it got louder with each replacement.

[@louiseobrien2061]

These guys are all amazing musicians

[@paperbagfilms]

The two of you are hilarious:) it’s about you heard this one :) Prog Rock, the original stuff.

[@jhar26]

The name of the genre is progressive rock, also known simply as prog-rock. The genre is an often very serious and complex mix of rock and classical and/or jazz with different and unusual tempo signatures and virtuosic soloing. Being able to play at a high technical standard is a requirement for the genre. The lyrical content is often (but by no means always) sci-fi/fantasy related or very spiritual. So this funny one is an exception to the rule, but a welcome one.

[@lesliejames6870]

Your reaction to this video , PRICELESS!!! For the last couple of days the first thing I do is watch this and start my day out with a smile on my face...this is the funniest reaction ever!

[@johnooms139]

This Dutch band Focus, which emerged from the band Brainbox, was my favorite band in the 70s with the great drummer Pierre van der Linden! I have been to many performances of this band. Focus still exists with some other musicians, but the way they played in the 70s will never be equaled again!

[@kevinunderwood4104]

My hobby lately is watching reactions to this song! One of my favorite live performances!!!!

[@Skysailin1]

What a trip hearing this again. It’s been years !!! Thanks much and your reaction was priceless 😄😄

[@dv7533]

I love this era in music, so much experimentation and people were open to it. If you don't give much thought to genre, target demographics and commercial interests you can freely explore your artistic side. Focus embraced the weirdness of the era and I love them for it. I'm not sure if you can even call progressive rock like this a genre, since it really has no stylistic limitations, just do whatever feels right and see what comes out.

[@dougkydur9841]

I wonder if the current generation even knows how to experiment and have fun with music anymore? Bieber drops a new single and the whole entertainment world goes crazy like it's the best thing ever, but it sounds to me like any of his songs in the last 10 years -- and just like all the other songs any other pop musician is releasing. So, so, so glad to have grown up in the era I did!

[@normkirk65]

These two people were absolutely fun to watch and listen to their comments. You could tell they were just blown away like I was when I first heard this song 50 years ago on the radio !!

[@adrianbradley8513]

If this band took to the stage on Britain/America's got talent (I live in Northern Ireland) everyone would initially think"So what, they're a rock band". But when the yodelling would start I can imagine the look that would be on Simon Cowell, the rest of the judges and the audience's faces and their mouths would open even more wider when the lead singer(?) would start playing the flute. At that point the expression"one man band" came into my head.

[@peebeen]

Back in the late 60's, early 70's our local Art College used to get bands to play on Friday nights. Most of them were hardly known at the time but many have since become famous. Focus was one of my favourites because of the sheer energy of their performance. I would always leave the hall exhausted & partially deaf after seeing them. Wonderful times. I was waiting for your reaction & you didn't disappoint!

[@RayfordRaySiegel]

10:52 - "I am speechless. I am without speech." I love the reaction that y'all had to this. I'm glad that y'all got a kick out of it. The speed is comical, with the drums and when he yodels.

[@genataylor460]

Love the way the drummer looks over his shoulder when the singer or yodeler is going to do his part. Each time.

[@edwardgreenlee3571]

True story, driving home from a Emerson Lake and Palmer concert, after smoking some weed we heard this song. We had pull off the road laughing so hard.

[@lutdesimpelaere2947]

I remember this song very well. Everybody loved it when it came out. These guys are amazing musicians, especially the lead singer. It’s kinda Rock with some classical elements thrown in. The fact that this version is so much faster than the original makes it even more difficult to pull of. Great performance! I love Amber’s reaction.

[@stevenaustin8274]

The greatest musician in this band i would say is the guitarist

[@reallymysterious4520]

@@stevenaustin8274 Apparently he won some awards in Europe from comments I read when other people reacted to this song

[@markburrows7088]

I have to keep watching your video again and again.. I just love Amber’s reaction.. I grew up with Prog Rock and this song is one of the best … amazing how they cut it down from the studio version for TV

[@kevinking2468]

This is my absolute favorite reaction of any reaction I’ve ever seen on KZbin

[@mitchmitchell5400]

I heard this song when it first came out. Watching you two enjoying this song made me smile so big!

[@williammelaniegappmayer2655]

It's sad you'll never anything like this go mainstream again.

[@Anglo-Saxon-Glory]

What a great reaction to a band I have loved for many years, Thijs Van Leer is awesome and what a great performance. A first for me too, seeing them play this song at that pace to fit their allotted time. Incredible and your reactions were just priceless.

[@raymondohlsen5054]

Your reactions are PRICELESS!!!! So much fun to watch! And yes, this did get radio play back in the earlies.

[@3generboiler]

My favorite reaction ever to any song by anyone 🎊

[@cesarnarro6013]

Early 70's was such a cool time for music.

[@markpeaple8626]

I've seen a lot of reactions this version of Hocus Pocus but yours is by the far the best. I love the way you can laugh but still appreciate the music !

[@beowulfthedane]

One of the founders of Progressive/experimental rock trying new ideas incorporating new sounds into rock music.

[@raulfilho421]

That’s the 70’s! Pure nitro.

[@squired2802]

LOVE your reactions!! A song I had forgotten about and not heard in a very long time. Thank you for the throwback!! Love how musicians/bands back in the day were always experimenting with all different kinds of ways to make music!!