Focus, the Dutch band that turned an instrumental piece with yodelling, “Hocus Pocus”, into an international hit, and whose guitarist, Jan Akkerman, was voted best in the world ahead of Clapton and Hendrix.
Profile
- Origin
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Formed
- 1969
- Founding members
- Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman
- Current status
- Active, with Van Leer at the head of a renewed lineup; “Focus 12” (2024) and the orchestral premiere “The Focus Symphony” (October 2025)
Current lineup
- Thijs van Leer — keyboards, flute, vocals (1969–present)
Former members
- Jan Akkerman — guitar (1969–1976)
- Martijn Dresden — bass (1969)
- Hans Cleuver — drums (1969)
- Pierre van der Linden — drums (1970–1973, 1976)
- Bert Ruiter — bass (1971–1976; died 2022)
- Philip Catherine — guitar (1976–1978)
Discography
| Year | Release |
|---|---|
| 1970 | In and Out of Focus |
| 1971 | Moving Waves |
| 1972 | Focus 3 |
| 1974 | Hamburger Concerto |
| 1975 | Mother Focus |
| 1978 | Focus con Proby |
| 2002 | Focus 8 |
| 2006 | Focus 9/New Skin |
| 2012 | Focus X |
| 2016 | Focus 8.5/Beyond the Horizon |
| 2018 | Focus 11 |
| 2024 | Focus 12 |
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