@@hippiereacts1458 Also one more fun fact. This song was originally a jam session that they eventually recorded in studio. What is more is that whenever Focus played this song, they would make tweaks and changes to parts, making every version of the song unique to each performance. That includes this performance. So not only did they play a 7 minute song in 4 minutes, but some parts of that 4 minute performance are unique to that performance.
This was done essentially double time do to time constraints on Midnight Special… the crazy eyes back and forth…was letting the other members know wtf was going on… epic performance…very respectful reaction… you’re alright
@@Rogier7305 Correct, and either he followed Rory Gallagher, or Rory followed him in the poll the year either side of the year (72?) Akkerman was voted the best in. For his part, Akkerman - not a man for being humble usually - said that he would have gladly played rhythm under Gallagher just to be in his presence.
The singer organ player is Thijs van Leer, he is a classical fluitplayer. The solo guitarist is Jan Akkerman, he was once the best guitar player in the world. On the drums Piere van der Linden, together they formed a super band in the Netherlands. At the same time there were other super bands as Cream and Crosby, Stills and Nash
@@hippiereacts1458 yes they were, just today I saw that they are still giving concerts, I don't were but they are playing at the 10 thh of December somewhere near my location Zaanstad in the Netherlands.
This must be one of the most exciting songs ever. I've seen people literally going crazy hearing this, crawling on the floor, in trance. Ok, this was in the 70's, but still.
I have heard an other reaction video some hours ago, OK, i know the song for years, and my eyes get wet and the tears fall, cause i love such music... :)
TBH Focus weren't even in the Netherlands that well known. They had a few hits - this one and 'Sylvia' come to mind - but they were more geared to a niche audience of prog-rock connoisseurs who were very loyal to them. They really didn't make music for the masses but what they made was exquisite in its composition, complexity, and execution.
Oh fuck yeah, yeah, yeah....I heard this on the top 40 countdown when t was new and just came back to it 50 years later. What a total jam. Getting their compilations now and falling in love.
The tv show your watching on this video clip, was from back in 1973. It was called "The Midnight Special." It was MC'd By world famous DJ, "Wolfman Jack." The show did indeed come on at midnight Friday nights, and featured 2 or 3 of the hottest Rock Bands at that particular time. I was a 17 year old High school kid at the time. We would go out drinking, and smoking...but always made sure to be back at someone's home by midnight, so we wouldn't miss the featured Bands scheduled to perform on National tv that night. Remember, we didn't have Mtv or anything, but just the radio to hear, but not see our Rock star heroes. Even at a concert you couldn't get a real close up look at what the Band members looked like. So for us guys (now in our 60s) this show on abc TV, was really all we had. Great memories of Bands like Aerosmith, the Cars, Fleetwood Mac etc. KC and The Sunshine Band, Earth Wind and Fire...I could go on and on. so much fun.
First off, The Midnight Special was on NBC. We also had Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (syndicated) and In Concert (live concerts as they happen - in stereo over an FM radio simulcast) on ABC. On top of that there was also David Letterman, Saturday Night Live (2 yrs later) and (believe it or not) The Mike Douglas Show. It was actually a good time for rock to me.
Love Focus. I just discovered your channel Mr. Hippie. I'm an old hippie from way back in the day and still am. I love so many different genres of music from Jethro Tull, The Dead, Phish, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, The Allman Brothers and so many more. I'll have to check out more of your reaction videos so I can see if I might have something you've never heard. Peace to you Brother. Stay safe and Well.
You need to listen to the real version! It’s really one of the most amazing rock tracks ever! Thijs van Leer. Genius. And that drummer.. and that guitar! And that bass! All amazing.
@@hippiereacts1458 Yes, slower for a start, as it should be! And being a studio recording the vocal and instrumental parts are even more well played! The lead guitarist is Jan Akkerman, said to be the best guitarist in the world at one time.
@Andy Litton I would put this on an almost level playing field with the original. The fact they took a (roughly) six-minute song and sped the tempo up to fit in a four-minute window shows the flexibility of a band. Plus I believe it was the first - and possibly only - standing ovation on The Midnight Special.
Now go watch the one at the Rainbow in '73. You'll know it because the organist wears a polka-dot shirt. The variations are astounding, and he CIRCULAR-BREATHES through the middle of it.
@@hippiereacts1458 Watch for the part in the middle where the yodeling goes on so long his face turns red and you think he's going to pass out. As a bonus, at the end, when he introduces the band, he SINGS it.
@@hippiereacts1458 Many variations of this in live performances including in 2014, and audio tracks , single in US was full length same as LP, edited or shorter singles in UK and elsewhere and some vocal variations. A touch of the other single 'Sylvia' is in the Flute part on this performance, which is nice.
Focus has15 albums. If you want something else special their the 23 Minute Long Rock Opera "Eruption", or go more pop/rock and listen to their next hit "Sylvia" which is a different cup of tea.
There are 2 persons who stand out Thijs van Leer (keyboards etc) and Jan Akkerman who was voted best gitarist of the world 1973 by melody maker. Both are still alive (thijs is from 31-03-1948 and jan is from 24-12-1946). And it was OPRAH who did the introduction (you missed that)
Drummer Pierre van der Linden stands out too ;-) He and Thijs Van Leer are still playing and touring with Focus. I've seen them twice in the past few years (having first seen them in 1975).
They're still gigging. I've seen them 5 times in the last ten yrs. (UK). Van Leer and van Linden still in band. They are still truly phenomenal! Ackerman still playing too. A couple of my mates went across to Amsterdam to see him last year.
@@hippiereacts1458 I was around when they were 'big'. Went to a show in Hull (UK) about three years ago... Two young guys in front of me were laughing at them when they walked onstage... It was an age thing I guess. By the middle of the show they were open mouthed. I heard one say to his mate. 'Fu**ing hell... I didn't expect that!! Awesome!! '
This one took US by surprise too when it came out. Musch the same reaction as you! It's funny though, dress them a little differently, and it could be perfect Steampunk!
This is no music. It is spell casting! Don't forget how great is the picture these insane spell-casters are painting and how transcendent the colors are on this picture. And if you think it is bad or random- I urge you to try and play, whistle or scream any part of it just to understand how much skill is put into it.
The Netherlands has produced some really fine rock bands. Check out Golden Earring (The track Vanilla Queen is amazing, and their version of Eight Miles High...) plus Earth and Fire, Kayak...
Golden Earing you should listenn to a live album, indeed like the famous double album called "Live", with the great George Kooymans on guitar. They had a world class hit with Radar Love
The actual song is 7min long, they were told they had 4min to performe. So they decided to play it faster. Amazing!
Rubens Buys haha cool fact
@@hippiereacts1458 Also one more fun fact. This song was originally a jam session that they eventually recorded in studio. What is more is that whenever Focus played this song, they would make tweaks and changes to parts, making every version of the song unique to each performance. That includes this performance. So not only did they play a 7 minute song in 4 minutes, but some parts of that 4 minute performance are unique to that performance.
Ryan Tiemann every band should do that
Actually, they played it at that tempo in live performances preceding this particular video.
Faster=better
This was done essentially double time do to time constraints on Midnight Special… the crazy eyes back and forth…was letting the other members know wtf was going on… epic performance…very respectful reaction… you’re alright
Jan Akkerman, voted best guitarist alive in 1973. One of the best of all time.
This is a Dutch band with guitar god Jan Akkerman and multi instrumentalist Thijs van Leer. Great performance !!
John Douven yes i was pleasantly surprised
Akkerman was voted best guitarist in the world in begin 70's
Thijs van Leer is a musical genius of the highest order.
Akkerman is a legend!
@@Rogier7305 Correct, and either he followed Rory Gallagher, or Rory followed him in the poll the year either side of the year (72?) Akkerman was voted the best in. For his part, Akkerman - not a man for being humble usually - said that he would have gladly played rhythm under Gallagher just to be in his presence.
That was the only standing ovation EVER on midnight special-!!
..and well deserved !!!👍
The one and only standing ovation in this show.
haha really? thats great well deserved
The singer organ player is Thijs van Leer, he is a classical fluitplayer. The solo guitarist is Jan Akkerman, he was once the best guitar player in the world. On the drums Piere van der Linden, together they formed a super band in the Netherlands. At the same time there were other super bands as Cream and Crosby, Stills and Nash
Fred van t padje so it was considered a super band?
@@hippiereacts1458 yes they were, just today I saw that they are still giving concerts, I don't were but they are playing at the 10 thh of December somewhere near my location Zaanstad in the Netherlands.
Fred van t padje huh thats cool wish they would play around south boston. Arouns here theres just a bunch of irish people drinking
@@hippiereacts1458 And still...
These guys are musical warriors.
This must be one of the most exciting songs ever. I've seen people literally going crazy hearing this, crawling on the floor, in trance. Ok, this was in the 70's, but still.
lol awesome
I have heard an other reaction video some hours ago, OK, i know the song for years, and my eyes get wet and the tears fall, cause i love such music... :)
TBH Focus weren't even in the Netherlands that well known. They had a few hits - this one and 'Sylvia' come to mind - but they were more geared to a niche audience of prog-rock connoisseurs who were very loyal to them. They really didn't make music for the masses but what they made was exquisite in its composition, complexity, and execution.
the best kind of music is not for the masses
@@hippiereacts1458 Very true
He tries to whistle the highest note and if he doesn't hit it, it doesn't matter!!! Great song.
John A haha
It takes a special person to understand special music...
Oh fuck yeah, yeah, yeah....I heard this on the top 40 countdown when t was new and just came back to it 50 years later. What a total jam. Getting their compilations now and falling in love.
haha yes!
And yeah, this was a world hit once....
The tv show your watching on this video clip, was from back in 1973. It was called "The Midnight Special." It was MC'd By world famous DJ, "Wolfman Jack." The show did indeed come on at midnight Friday nights, and featured 2 or 3 of the hottest Rock Bands at that particular time. I was a 17 year old High school kid at the time. We would go out drinking, and smoking...but always made sure to be back at someone's home by midnight, so we wouldn't miss the featured Bands scheduled to perform on National tv that night. Remember, we didn't have Mtv or anything, but just the radio to hear, but not see our Rock star heroes. Even at a concert you couldn't get a real close up look at what the Band members looked like. So for us guys (now in our 60s) this show on abc TV, was really all we had. Great memories of Bands like Aerosmith, the Cars, Fleetwood Mac etc. KC and The Sunshine Band, Earth Wind and Fire...I could go on and on. so much fun.
827dusty cool wish they had a live show like that now and had good music on it
First off, The Midnight Special was on NBC. We also had Don Kirshner's Rock Concert (syndicated) and In Concert (live concerts as they happen - in stereo over an FM radio simulcast) on ABC. On top of that there was also David Letterman, Saturday Night Live (2 yrs later) and (believe it or not) The Mike Douglas Show. It was actually a good time for rock to me.
I think it was Gladys Knight I saw presenting it?
I think there is a law somewhere that says it's a felony to listen to this song at any volume than full on.
Yea i think i have heard that too
Love Focus. I just discovered your channel Mr. Hippie. I'm an old hippie from way back in the day and still am. I love so many different genres of music from Jethro Tull, The Dead, Phish, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, The Allman Brothers and so many more. I'll have to check out more of your reaction videos so I can see if I might have something you've never heard. Peace to you Brother. Stay safe and Well.
Yea goto rock reaction playlist to see all my rock reactions would love to hear something good that I haven’t heard before. ✌️ and ❤️
if it ain't dutch it ain't much LOL
RUSH: *standing off to the side* excuse you?
Dutch oven?
@@Kgio-2112 what the fuck is a dutch oven?????
I’m Dutch too! My grandparents immigrated from Holland!
THIS IS WHAT TOTAL FREEDOM DID TO MUSIC!!!!
Robert Craane thats what every artist some use, total freedom to express themselves!!! Thanks for the comments!!!
I would have told you that the person introducing them is none other than Gladys Knight. Focus mixed metal, prog and yodeling what's not to like.
Unnecessary
He was called Thijs van Leer... Master! ) Dutch Captain Beefheart (also Dutch)
Beefheart and FZ were schoolmates and friends in Lancaster, Ca.
I have my nickname over those. Days!!!!!!
You need to listen to the real version! It’s really one of the most amazing rock tracks ever! Thijs van Leer. Genius. And that drummer.. and that guitar! And that bass! All amazing.
Andy Linton is it different?
@@hippiereacts1458 Yes, slower for a start, as it should be! And being a studio recording the vocal and instrumental parts are even more well played! The lead guitarist is Jan Akkerman, said to be the best guitarist in the world at one time.
@Andy Litton I would put this on an almost level playing field with the original. The fact they took a (roughly) six-minute song and sped the tempo up to fit in a four-minute window shows the flexibility of a band. Plus I believe it was the first - and possibly only - standing ovation on The Midnight Special.
Akkerman played bass on the studio version.
And the actual star is Jan Ackerman. He went to tour with the likes of Al Dimeola.
you also gotta hear the longer studio version, almost eight minutes long
This version is punk rock ,fantastic
Now go watch the one at the Rainbow in '73. You'll know it because the organist wears a polka-dot shirt. The variations are astounding, and he CIRCULAR-BREATHES through the middle of it.
Drchainsaw77 huh interesting if their are definitely differences.
@@hippiereacts1458 Watch for the part in the middle where the yodeling goes on so long his face turns red and you think he's going to pass out. As a bonus, at the end, when he introduces the band, he SINGS it.
@@hippiereacts1458 Many variations of this in live performances including in 2014, and audio tracks , single in US was full length same as LP, edited or shorter singles in UK and elsewhere and some vocal variations. A touch of the other single 'Sylvia' is in the Flute part on this performance, which is nice.
Focus has15 albums. If you want something else special their the 23 Minute Long Rock Opera "Eruption", or go more pop/rock and listen to their next hit "Sylvia" which is a different cup of tea.
Find the song (excerpt) called "Tommy" (on RUclips) from their Focus 3 album. No vocals, but the guitar WILL Blow You Away!
Van Leer and Akkerman have plenty of albums solo. Van Leer did the whole introspection series during and after Focus.
Many hear it, and hate it. When I first heard it, loved.... and that was back in 1973?
Ha yes i loved it!!!
Super performance and the best version of hocus pocus. Jan Akkerman isn't in Rolling stones 100 best guitarists of all time and is that justified?
There are 2 persons who stand out Thijs van Leer (keyboards etc) and Jan Akkerman who was voted best gitarist of the world 1973 by melody maker. Both are still alive (thijs is from 31-03-1948 and jan is from 24-12-1946). And it was OPRAH who did the introduction (you missed that)
Haha Oprah thats funny i see it now!
@@hippiereacts1458 not Oprah though, Gladys Knight
Drummer Pierre van der Linden stands out too ;-) He and Thijs Van Leer are still playing and touring with Focus. I've seen them twice in the past few years (having first seen them in 1975).
They're still gigging. I've seen them 5 times in the last ten yrs. (UK). Van Leer and van Linden still in band. They are still truly phenomenal!
Ackerman still playing too. A couple of my mates went across to Amsterdam to see him last year.
really? how is the live show? I would love to see them live
@@hippiereacts1458 I was around when they were 'big'. Went to a show in Hull (UK) about three years ago... Two young guys in front of me were laughing at them when they walked onstage... It was an age thing I guess. By the middle of the show they were open mouthed. I heard one say to his mate. 'Fu**ing hell... I didn't expect that!! Awesome!! '
Try Tommy by Focus. It will shake your soul.
That guitar tone in Tommy though.
Jan Akkerman is still playing,i like the song Streetwalker from the Jan Akkerman band
As I'm sure someone has said, Thyss Van Leer was a fantastic musician, with or without instrument.
Kevin R. Carr seems like it
Jan Akkerman....no words!
Enjoyed your reaction.
These 4 Flying Dutchmen are all in their 70's and alive and well :)
Ty isle
Zappa, Beefheart, Focus, Vandals....
This one took US by surprise too when it came out. Musch the same reaction as you! It's funny though, dress them a little differently, and it could be perfect Steampunk!
Looks too young to be a hippie. He should have white hair like me. I remember when this came out. Music was truly special back then.
Kesley Cottrell hippie has no age
Imagine being 11 years old and hearing this for the 1st time.
Organized Chaos brother.
89801wink hahaha i hear ya
Maybe you've heard this song on movie 'baby driver'
This is no music. It is spell casting! Don't forget how great is the picture these insane spell-casters are painting and how transcendent the colors are on this picture. And if you think it is bad or random- I urge you to try and play, whistle or scream any part of it just to understand how much skill is put into it.
Oh i agree very skillful
The Netherlands has produced some really fine rock bands. Check out Golden Earring (The track Vanilla Queen is amazing, and their version of Eight Miles High...) plus Earth and Fire, Kayak...
Also with Ackerman in an earlyer band,,,BRAINBOX,,,DOWN MAN
Golden Earing you should listenn to a live album, indeed like the famous double album called "Live", with the great George Kooymans on guitar. They had a world class hit with Radar Love
Check them out wishing merry Christmas and happy New year..Awsome👍👍
same to you!!!! Peace n Love
you should also hear exeption there band who plays jazy beethoven and bach
Ekseption, well known for their classical music adaptations, more prog rock with the amazing Rick van der Linden on keyboards.
The guy's name is Tyga's vanleer he's Dutch
Gary Hurley Thijs van Leer☺️
lol
Jan akkerman de beste gitarist aller tijden
If you want to know how this was born please watch: ruclips.net/video/nDPlwhqowHI/видео.html
Hippie? Where?
k Gio Gio where?
dafuq did I just watch