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Focus

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band from Amsterdam. The keyboard player, singer and flautist Thijs van Leer founded the group in 1969, together with the drummer Hans Cleuver, the bassist Martijn Dresden and the guitarist Jan Akkerman. They first played in the orchestra of the Dutch production of the musical Hair. Focus then became a band in its own right, which released the debut album Focus Plays Focus in 1970. Later in 1970 the drummer Pierre van der Linden joined.

Music and breakthrough

The debut went almost unnoticed, but the second album, Moving Waves, from 1971, brought the international breakthrough. It reached number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 8 in the United States. The lead single Hocus Pocus made the group known worldwide. Focus 3 followed in 1972, Hamburger Concerto in 1974 and Mother Focus in 1975. Van Leer brought the band back together in 2002, and in 2024 Focus 12 appeared.

Influence

Focus combines progressive rock with jazz, classical music and long solos. Akkerman plays guitar, Van Leer flute and organ, and there are pieces with high, yodel-like singing. In this way the band gave the rock of those years a sound of its own. Focus is regarded as one of the most successful and influential rock bands from the Netherlands.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Hocus Pocus and notice how the guitar riff, the flute and the unusual vocal sounds alternate. Which part surprises you most in such a short track?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsProgressive rock