Group

Focus

Dutch progressive rock group

From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Since: 1969–present
Rating: ★ 4 (1 votes)
Releases: 47

progressive rock
symphonic prog
jazz fusion
art rock
classic rock
jazz rock
rock
symphonic rock

About

Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in Amsterdam in 1969 by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer, drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Martijn Dresden, and guitarist Jan Akkerman. The band has undergone numerous formations in its history; since December 2016, it has comprised Van Leer, drummer Pierre van der Linden, guitarist Menno Gootjes, and bassist Udo Pannekeet. They have sold one million RIAA-certified albums in the United States.

After the addition of Akkerman to Van Leer's rock trio in late 1969, the band named themselves Focus and initially worked for a Dutch production of the rock musical Hair. Their debut album, Focus Plays Focus (1970), gained little attention but the follow-up, Moving Waves (1971), and its lead single "Hocus Pocus", earned the band international recognition. Their success continued with Focus 3 (1972) and Hamburger Concerto (1974), the former containing their second hit single, "Sylvia". After recording two albums with various musicians, including guitarist Phillip Catherine, singer P. J. Proby, and drummers Colin Allen, David Kemper, and Steve Smith, Focus dissolved in 1978. They briefly reunited in 1990 and 1997.
In 2002, Van Leer reformed Focus with a new line-up that saw Van der Linden rejoining the group in 2004. The albums Focus 8 (2002), Focus 9 / New Skin (2006), and Focus X (2012) were well received, and Focus continue to perform worldwide. Their most recent album is Focus 12 (2024). Focus remain one of the most successful and influential rock bands from the Netherlands.

From Focus (band) on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Members

Thijs van Leer 1969–1978, 1985–1985, 1990–1990, 1997–1998, 2001–now · original member flute, keyboard, lead vocals, piano, synthesizer
Pierre van der Linden 1971–1973, 1975–1976, 1990–1990, 2004–now drums (drum set), percussion
Menno Gootjes 1997–1998, 2010–now guitar
Udo Pannekeet 2016–now bass
Jo De Roeck now
Martin Dresden 1969–1970 · original member · former background vocals, bass
Hans Cleuver 1969–1970, 1997–1998 · original member · former drums (drum set), lead vocals, percussion
Jan Akkerman 1969–1975, 1985–1985, 1990–1990 · original member · former bass, guitar, lute, percussion
Cyril Havermans 1971–1971 · former background vocals, bass
Bert Ruiter 1971–1978, 1990–1990, 1997–1998 · former background vocals, bass
Colin Allen 1973–1975 · former drums (drum set), percussion
David Kemper 1975–1976 · former drums (drum set)
Philip Catherine 1976–1977 · former guitar
Eef Albers 1977–1978 · former guitar
P.J. Proby 1977–1978 · former lead vocals
Steve Smith 1977–1978 · former drums (drum set)
Jan Dumée 2001–2006 · former background vocals, guitar
Bobby Jacobs 2001–2016 · former background vocals, bass
Bert Smaak 2002–2003 · former drums (drum set)
Niels van der Steenhoven 2006–2010 · former guitar