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God Bless You for not interrupting the performance for comments! Your comments are very welcome but so many interrupt great performances and wreck the mood created by the piece. Thank you for your comments, but thank you extra for your holding back and waiting for the song to finish!
If I’m not mistaken the song is supposed to be about 3 minutes longer but the band was told that they only have 4 minutes to preform so they just played it faster rather than do something else
that performance always put a smile on my face. It's so uncompromising, energetic, authentic and raw... I wish music would still be so gutsy and not artefacted today.
I was in junior high when I first heard this song and I was pretty blown away as well. I never heard yodeling used in rock before and the control Thijs Van Leer had with his voice was so amazing. Thank you for doing a React on this band. I miss this type of originality in rock music, hopefully it will come back again someday when music stops being a corporate product and goes back to being an art.
Undoubtedly. On the one occasion that I got to see them live, Ackerman was paralytic drunk, Nd could barely play coherently. Huge disappointment for a schoolboy who'd saved up to buy a ticket.
@@JojoBinnenzorg no he declined a lot after focus.. did like his classical stuff but otherwise he repeats many of his licks. I know being a semi pro guitar player. He was more creative with focus.
Yeah, I'd heard that they werent given enough time on that show, but it's kind of amazing that instead of playing some kind of shortened version of it they were just like, "Hey, let's play it all, just super fast". And the fact that they were that good that they could pull it off.... I wonder if that was the first time theyd ever done it at that speed. And the yodeling! To do it that fast, and that accurately is crazy. Just imagine that if they hadnt had their performance time cut, that never wouldve happened. The crowd went bananas. I remember reading somewhere that at the time they were actually pretty angry about the time cut. Too short notice, not a lot of time to regroup and figure out a plan B. This is actually a great example of necessity being the mother of invention. Some of the coolest things can happen on the fly.
I like your expression when he starts yodeling: between amused and really fascinated. My expression when I heard it the first time in the 70s was exactly the same :-)
I was 10, just liked it and thought it was completely normal. My brother, who was 4 years older, told me how exceptional it was. Jan Akkerman was the best guitarist of the world back then. Thijs van Leer was everything, singing, playing organ, playing flute. And the yodeling was totally ‘not done’ in rock music. He was blown away by it apparently, he died some years ago, sweet memories. Fun fact: it is the only time in the history of that music program a group got a standing ovation.
It's always fun to see people react to this - they just don't know what they're in for. Yodelling, flute, whistling, and a band at the top of their game. One of the maddest songs ever recorded, but man could they play up a storm!
As a musician & huge Focus fan, watching Ty's expressions while listening is almost as good as watching Van Leer's. I think we all looked like this when we 1st heard Focus back in the day.
When I was a much younger man my brother, who is in his sixties, used to talk about Focus and in particular Jan Akkerman. I've shown this clip to numerous friends over the years and they react with a combination of bemusement and awe. What a band!!! Great post 👌🏻👍🏻
Flutist Thijs Van Leer always maintained that Focus wasn't a prog rock band because "Prog doesn't swing." But regardless of his own personal opinion on being prog or not, among prog musicians, Focus is seen as one of the most important bands of the genre and Thijs Van Leer a grand master. Focus is still going strong, recording and releasing albums and playing shows all over the world.
I have a vinyl called "Introspection" where Thijs Van Leer is doing some classically inspired stuff. Wouldn't surprise me if he was schooled as a classical musician, but not sure. Anyway, I heard/read there was some bad blood between him and Jan Akkerman later on in their careers, or at least they went seperate musical ways, although that contradicts with (your) comments here saying they still play live to this day. I have only 1 Jan Akkerman solo album, "The Noise of Art" and it's a completely different animal than "Introspection". If anyone knows what's what, I'd love to be enlightened ;-)
@@MacSvensson Thijs Van Leer is indeed a classically trained musician who got his big break when he started working with Dutch singer Ramses Shaffi (Look up the song "Pastorale" to hear where Focus got it's art from) Yes, Focus is still touring and recording albums but not with Jan Akkerman.
@@RastaSaiyaman Thanks! I didn't know Thijs ever worked with Ramses Shaffi. I adore Ramses. You know, their is a very big photo of him (Ramses Shaffi) taken weeks before he died hangin on the wall in one of my favorite pubs in Leuven (Belgium). It always draws me in when entering the pub... such a great artist. My favorite song of his is "Laat Me". It hits home very hard :-D
I'm Dutch and 62 now. The band Focus released this when I was 14 years old. They had a top 40 hit and I loved it. I was in secondary school in Delft when they performed at our school feast in Studenten Sociëteit Alcuin in Delft. We had two bands playing there: Focus and Livin' Blues. That last band had a hit in those days with their version of Wang Dang Doodle ( ruclips.net/video/1Lsk9LI1E1I/видео.html ). Different music but also great. It was a great feast and I'll never forget it.
I had this song on a 70s K-tell Hits Album when I was a little kid. I loved this song! I had never heard anything like it (or since really). And all these years later, this is the first time I ever saw it performed. Thanks for doing this song. Your reaction was fun.
As a guitar player Jan Akkerman was probably the fastest guitar player back then to come out with a Jazz Rock Classical fusion style. He also played Classical finger style guitar. Van Leer was a phenomenal keyboard player as well as vocalist and the drummer and bass player were also amazing musicians.
That's Gladys Knight introducing the song. You should listen to Gladys Knight and The Pips 'Midnight Train to Georgia'. It is one of the greatest songs of all time. Pay attention to The Pips in that song. In one song they demonstrate many of the different roles back up singers can play in a song.
First time I heard this song I was in the car with my dad. I was maybe in high school. I remember being confused when the yodeling started and then my dad was all "bum bum bum AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I laughed all the way home. I didn't hear it again 'till youtube posted this exact video. Played it for my dad, same thing. He tries to hit that note. Tries.
This is the same band that would 3 years later release an album called "The Hamburger Concerto". This is the track list for side 2: 1. "Hamburger Concerto I. Starter (Trad. arr. by van Leer) II. Rare (Akkerman) III. Medium I (van Leer, Akkerman) IV. Medium II (Akkerman) V. Well Done (van Leer) VI. One for the Road (Akkerman)" Thijs van Leer is the lead guy, and Jan Akkerman (voted best guitarist of the year 1973 in Melody Maker magazine, still greatly respected today)is the guitarist. If you can't tell by the names, they are a dutch band. Dutch Rock/Pop has a surprising history, going back to the Tielman Brothers in the late 50's, who brought rock instrumentals from Indonesia to Holland and can be seen on RUclips, these 5 Asian guys in 1959 all duded up like American rockers, with the guitarist doing stuff you wouldn't see again until Jimi Hendrix, like hopping on top of his brother's stand up bass to play the guitar behind his back while his brother keeps slapping away at the bass. ruclips.net/video/muKkVufgkAE/видео.html There are many other Dutch bands that found success in America, like Golden Earring(Radar Love, Twilight Zone), the Tee Set(Ma Belle Ami), Mouth and McNeil(How Do You Do), Shocking Blue(Venus), George Baker Selection(Little Green Bag), and Indie rockers Bettie Serveert in the 1990's. The Van Halen brothers were also born in Holland.
So that's what happened to me. I just figured it out. I was 13, watching H R Puffnstuff one Saturday morning in 73', then stayed up late and saw this that same night. My mind has been fried ever since. Damm, I can fire my therapist now. ;)
The producer's of Midnight Special miscalculated the amount of time needed, and told the band as the end of the show approached: "We're sorry, but you only have 4 minutes to perform your 6-minute song. Can you do it?" The band responded, "Heck, yeah!" Their high-speed success is the reason they got a standing ovation. (Ha! Just kidding, but it sure looks and sounds like it, doesn't it? It was a *tour de force!* )
Had just gotten back from Vietnam when this was on the air, ( wifes iPad ). Love yer channel young man!!! Refreshing to see a young man trying all kinds of music. FM radio USED TO play such a wide variety of music.
I've never heard this song played THIS fast! It's always been a fantastic and very original song, but played at this tempo, it's INSANE! Brilliant and fearless musicians. No rules, just sheer joy. I miss it.
I first heard this as the studio version in the mid 80s when my friend Dominick played the song on his tape player for me. I thought it was fantastic, but mostly was laughing at it as a weird joke. And it is a joke song of sorts, but with top-tier masterful musicians playing the joke. This particular performance I only first saw a few years ago on YT. I was completely blown off my chair!!!! And the standing O at the end says it all: these guys blew the audience away, who probably never heard of them before. Glad you enjoyed it. Everyone should watch this performance at some point. Right up there with the Woodstock performances of Jimi Hendrix and Santana or Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk during Billie Jean.
Focus. They were all great musicians. Real musicians. The high note reached by Thijs van Leer is incredible. Would not be surprised if this ecperimentation inspired, in some way, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.
FOCUS is not only the name of a Ford! They were a well known progressive rock band in the 70's (especially in Europe), and Jan Akkerman, their highly regarded guitarist extraordinaire, was one of the first real 'shredders' that inspired many others to play! The other song they are known for (on the mellower side) is this one: ruclips.net/video/uHDVz9JZt0U/видео.html Enjoy!
I was about 16 or 17 when this song came out. I have a varied musical palate, thanks to my parents, so I've always liked a variety of music. This one? WOW, man. It still blows me away after all these years. Incredibly talented guys that pushed the envelope, then actually threw the envelope away. Back it the days when music was like a home cooked meal. It stayed with you.
Can you imagine you’re a record company exec and you’re like “Ok boys, show me what you came up with for the record.” 👍. These guys proove you got to play and entertain. People appreciate the full package even if it’s different.
You'll be pleased to know that Focus has been reactivated in recent years by Thys van Leer (the Yodeling keyboardist) and drummer Pierre van der Linden from this line-up and have recently issued "Focus 50: Live in Rio", and they still kick butt. Unfortunately Thys can't hit those high notes anymore- he leaves that to the new guitarist.
And THAT my friend was Jan Akkerman on guitar. One of my favorite groups ever. Early 70's progressive rock. The fist time I saw them I was blown away. Sylvia is a great song also. Very melodic. I'm 64 and I still need a Focus fix every once in a while.
everything about this song is impossibly hard. -I saw this song go by in my feed for about 4 years before I clicked and checked it out. -I have heard it before but to intentionally listen to it. -For 1973 era this was way more aggressive and energetic then anything else. Set a true standard for others in this genre to judge themselves by. *thanx for checking this out. I love this song.
I remember hearing this a lot on the radio when I was about 12. It seemed pretty cool and normal, because so many bands were doing innovative things back then. Guess we were just blessed to grow up in the 60’s and 70’s!
I was borderline legal to drink in the UK when this hit number 1 - there was a little club, the 1925 club, with a postage stamp-size stage and a small dance foor. Focus played the club one night in the run up to 'making it big' commercially with this track and 'Sylvia'. The Club was in the back streets of Coventry (Motor City) and a bit dingy, smoky and had a bad rep, but always seemed to get really great bands playing there, despite only really (legally) holding about 200 people tops. They were stupendous that night and though I'd not heard this or Sylvia before, the 'shock' of those songs in that tiny auditorium still stands out in my memory even now. Great band and superb musicians. Old Man Mike (UK)
Jan Akkerman, the guitarist, is one of the hidden masters of the instrument. This live version is in places about twice as fast as the studio version. The studio version contains absolutely sick guitar work, something that must have sounded absolutely vulgar in 1971. It is amazing.
This song came out back when I was in college, I actually got to see Focus in concert in Phoenix then. It was awesome! Lots of other great songs as well!
Psychedelics were very popular in the early 70s and folks liked to get their minds blown. I think this is why there was more variety in music then compared to other times in history. If you were 'tripping' while listening to this song, you would hear every nuance of every instrument and vocal discreetly.
This song…first time l heard it I was crossing the street and l was so affected l stopped dead in my tracks and nearly got hit by a bike. It’s….it’s pure, pure joy really. When he starts whistling I always lose the plot. Oh your face is priceless watching this…the wild happiness of it is infectious.
yo man, I am 62 I listened to this song on a trip from Bonn (Germany) to Amsterdam (Holland) on a trip with my friend in my VW Beatle and the music came from a cassette player (you might have to research this on Wikipedia). So I was there my friend. Thank you for having an open mind, congrats mate. I am German by the way, I hope this does not put you off :-)
Sterling and I were discussing this in chat the other night! Talk about turnaround! :) For me, like a lot of great music, I came in off a cover. I love great guitar and in the 80's you had the guitar legends everywhere. One such man was Gary Hoey. He released Hocus Pocus as a single / video and I was hooked! THEN, as I broadened my library I learned it was a cover and started researching a little more prior to in explosion of the internet! Finally found on RUclips years later and was hooked even more! The great thing about covers is they often lead you to great music! Same with liner notes!
That was Gladys Knight introducing them on a show we watched in the 70’s called the Midnight Special. Every Saturday night. They had a guest host who would perform and also introduce the bands.
So great ..how can you not smile through that whole thing! Ya know Ty we had so much good music back them in the 60’s,70’s and 80’s I honestly think we may have taken it for granted..but yes this song was super unique even back then when we had a huge variety anyway!
Don't know whether I'll subscribe but I believe that you are the first person I've watched that has not said words to the effect of "Before we start, click Subscribe and turn on notifications". That in itself deserves a thank you.
Focus was told that they had 4 minutes on the show to play their song that was actually 7 minutes long. They decided to get the whole song in. You just witnessed the birth of speed metal.
All of them. The drummer, awesome technique, rolls, paradiddles, the singer/ keyboard/whistle/flute, the guitarist ...wow so fast too!! Tempo of what 250bpm? Lol. I was in Jr high. 7th grade.
No idea if it's your sound mixer or how the video actually is, but man, the bass is popping in this song. I love the organ here, because it takes over the rhythm guitar duties while Jan Akkerman absolutely shreds the solos.
I have one of their greatest hits compilations, and you are right in your assessment that they were not a one song band...well, maybe the "US" version/remix of Hocus Pocus shouldn't be included; it doesn't have the same charm as the original.
I was about 12 years old when this song came out. So, likely I was borrowing plumbs and pears from the neighbors garden. But I do remember my older brother loved these guys. We shared a room so I had to listen to this at night when I had no clue what was going on. Now that I'm a lot older, well, I like it a lot.
The best recording is the original at the correct speed. Jan Akerman looking at van Leer on the Organ, and breaking into fits of laughter and has to turn away, absolutely brilliant !
You don’t know who Gladys Knight is? Turn in your black card AND your “renaissance” card until you’ve earned them. You’re a lad who needs a LOT more seasoning.
DUDE. YOU NAILED IT!!!!! This song came out a little before Ram-Jam: Black Betty. And, right before Blue Swede: Hooked on a Feelin'. I remember. I was born ins 1964. I was there for the REVOLUTION in music in the mid-to-late '70s. Man. BLONDIE. "Call Me" from the "American Gigolo" soundtrack. The ORIGINAL version. You GOTTA hear it. But Focus: Hocus Pocus. Man, you DID it. Now, do the extended studio version. Better hold onto your freaking socks. They will be BLOWN AWAY.
I first heard them from a Ktel record-likely 72-74- wasnt blown away because I started grade school in 69-so was used to freaky stuff. As an adult and musician its a whole different story- mind blown. The singer is actually pretty well known in the Netherlands- has done work in many fields for adults and children alike.
Yeah, they did have to rush through it but just goes to show how good they were. This song was out way before Black Betty. When it came out on radio and heard it for the first time, I remember saying, I wish I had the stuff they were on and had a good laugh too. LOL! Also was riding in the car with dear old mom when I heard it again and had to turn it up for her. Bless her soul. Seriously though, THEY KICKED ASS! But I don't remember if they got any air time with any other songs they did. I was in the peak of my high school days and that era of music was always striving for originality and always achieved it. These groups were hits back then, now and always will be. Kids are all over the web are learning and covering these songs. I like to see that because it never gets old for me.
I remember EXACTLY where I was! It was 1973 and I was vacationing in the Keys in Florida at Bryn Mawr Resort. I was playing pinball in the Rec Room and this song came on. That was the 70’s, brother. Everyday was a new classic! I was blessed to have grown up right smack dab in the middle of that time. Glad you enjoyed it!! Those guys were SUPER talented musicians. Jan Akkerman is a beast!
They're still playing. Seen them 5 times in last ten years.. in the UK. Phenomenal band. Different line up now but original drummer and front man. Still as good.
I just love the expressions on the faces of people who've never seen Focus live before, amazing live band. Thijs van der Leer the singer is a classically trained vocalist, and almost 50 years later after this clip he can still reach those high notes... Love this band.
WOW!!! That's a blast from the past! I LOVE that song! I haven't heard it for a few decades now...thank you for playing it! I was in 6th grade when it 1st came out....
I'd really recommend that you check out the studio version of this song, played at its intended tempo. This performance was rushed for time, so rather than leaving parts out, they played it much faster than normal. I give them mad props for being able to play it this fast, and apparently complete, but I find the studio version to be much better.
I was there and it was a great time in music when originality meant something. The odd thing was that similar sounds were coming from other groups like the song "Frankenstein" from Edgar Winters Group. Radio was a much different medium in the '60-70s when a harder rock tune(Kinks,Rolling Stones,The Who) would be followed by a Soul(Johnny Mathis,Ben E.King,Otis Redding) tune then a Pop(Jackson 5,Carpenters,Linda Ronstadt) track. It was a good time.
God Bless You for not interrupting the performance for comments! Your comments are very welcome but so many interrupt great performances and wreck the mood created by the piece. Thank you for your comments, but thank you extra for your holding back and waiting for the song to finish!
If I’m not mistaken the song is supposed to be about 3 minutes longer but the band was told that they only have 4 minutes to preform so they just played it faster rather than do something else
Video is 8:10 in Denmark live. The album version is out there.
I remember someone joked about them playing like their tour bus was double parked outside
The tempo of this version is extraordinary. These dudes were on fire.
The original song is 7 minutes long, but when the show told them that they had only 4 minutes to play it they just said "OK" and played it at 2x speed
Correct.
that performance always put a smile on my face. It's so uncompromising, energetic, authentic and raw... I wish music would still be so gutsy and not artefacted today.
ruclips.net/video/fM0CsCZG_N0/видео.html
This song is insane, yet so frigin great. His vocal, yodeling, range is unreal. The guitar jams are sick. AND IT TOTALLY ROCKS
They were Dutch. This song made it up to #9 on the US charts.
Can I recommend another Dutch band? Golden Earring. Their biggest hit was Radar Love.
Tea Set ...was Dutch as well ................ ruclips.net/video/Bioah3q7JOk/видео.html
No, you may not recommend Golden Earring. 2 Unlimited are all right, but not Golden Earring.
I never knew Golden earring where Dutch, I just assumed they were American
@@SpaceCattttt lol
Dont forget "The Shocking blue and The George Baker selection
Focus - Dutch band) = Thijs Van Leer (flute, organ, whistling, yodeling) - Jan Akkerman (Guitar) - Bert Ruiter (Bass) - Pierre Van Der Linden (Drums)
Cyril Havermans was the bass player on Hocus Pocus. Bert joined later.
The first time I heard this on the radio I wondered if I'd lost my mind. That's one hot guitar player.
The 70's ruled.
Loved watching this live tonight!!
They sure did.
I was in junior high when I first heard this song and I was pretty blown away as well. I never heard yodeling used in rock before and the control Thijs Van Leer had with his voice was so amazing. Thank you for doing a React on this band. I miss this type of originality in rock music, hopefully it will come back again someday when music stops being a corporate product and goes back to being an art.
Jan Akkerman was one of greatest guitarists.
He still is.....
Undoubtedly. On the one occasion that I got to see them live, Ackerman was paralytic drunk, Nd could barely play coherently. Huge disappointment for a schoolboy who'd saved up to buy a ticket.
Yesssss.... *RD*
@@raymartin7172 That's bad luck. I saw him 2 years ago. His daughter sang a few songs aswell. We had a great time in the pouring rain 😁
@@JojoBinnenzorg no he declined a lot after focus.. did like his classical stuff but otherwise he repeats many of his licks. I know being a semi pro guitar player. He was more creative with focus.
Yeah, I'd heard that they werent given enough time on that show, but it's kind of amazing that instead of playing some kind of shortened version of it they were just like, "Hey, let's play it all, just super fast". And the fact that they were that good that they could pull it off.... I wonder if that was the first time theyd ever done it at that speed. And the yodeling! To do it that fast, and that accurately is crazy. Just imagine that if they hadnt had their performance time cut, that never wouldve happened. The crowd went bananas.
I remember reading somewhere that at the time they were actually pretty angry about the time cut. Too short notice, not a lot of time to regroup and figure out a plan B. This is actually a great example of necessity being the mother of invention. Some of the coolest things can happen on the fly.
Just Epic 👀
Best think to happen that year ?
OK, the end of Vietnam War is probably first. :-)
I believe on another tv appearance they did it even faster
@@aryanson I read somewhere else that this was the first - and maybe only - time a band got a standing ovation on The Midnight Special.
I like your expression when he starts yodeling: between amused and really fascinated. My expression when I heard it the first time in the 70s was exactly the same :-)
One of the greatest riffs in rock history. This song smokes!
amen
I was 10, just liked it and thought it was completely normal. My brother, who was 4 years older, told me how exceptional it was. Jan Akkerman was the best guitarist of the world back then. Thijs van Leer was everything, singing, playing organ, playing flute.
And the yodeling was totally ‘not done’ in rock music. He was blown away by it apparently, he died some years ago, sweet memories.
Fun fact: it is the only time in the history of that music program a group got a standing ovation.
It's always fun to see people react to this - they just don't know what they're in for. Yodelling, flute, whistling, and a band at the top of their game. One of the maddest songs ever recorded, but man could they play up a storm!
As a musician & huge Focus fan, watching Ty's expressions while listening is almost as good as watching Van Leer's. I think we all looked like this when we 1st heard Focus back in the day.
That Drummer was Badass!! Guitar Player was off the charts, especially for 1973!! Damn!
Guitar player? … say his name: Jan Akkerman!
When I was a much younger man my brother, who is in his sixties, used to talk about Focus and in particular Jan Akkerman. I've shown this clip to numerous friends over the years and they react with a combination of bemusement and awe. What a band!!! Great post 👌🏻👍🏻
Flutist Thijs Van Leer always maintained that Focus wasn't a prog rock band because "Prog doesn't swing."
But regardless of his own personal opinion on being prog or not, among prog musicians, Focus is seen as one of the most important bands of the genre and Thijs Van Leer a grand master.
Focus is still going strong, recording and releasing albums and playing shows all over the world.
I have a vinyl called "Introspection" where Thijs Van Leer is doing some classically inspired stuff. Wouldn't surprise me if he was schooled as a classical musician, but not sure. Anyway, I heard/read there was some bad blood between him and Jan Akkerman later on in their careers, or at least they went seperate musical ways, although that contradicts with (your) comments here saying they still play live to this day. I have only 1 Jan Akkerman solo album, "The Noise of Art" and it's a completely different animal than "Introspection". If anyone knows what's what, I'd love to be enlightened ;-)
@@MacSvensson Thijs Van Leer is indeed a classically trained musician who got his big break when he started working with Dutch singer Ramses Shaffi (Look up the song "Pastorale" to hear where Focus got it's art from)
Yes, Focus is still touring and recording albums but not with Jan Akkerman.
@@RastaSaiyaman
Thanks! I didn't know Thijs ever worked with Ramses Shaffi. I adore Ramses. You know, their is a very big photo of him (Ramses Shaffi) taken weeks before he died hangin on the wall in one of my favorite pubs in Leuven (Belgium). It always draws me in when entering the pub... such a great artist. My favorite song of his is "Laat Me". It hits home very hard :-D
I'm Dutch and 62 now. The band Focus released this when I was 14 years old. They had a top 40 hit and I loved it. I was in secondary school in Delft when they performed at our school feast in Studenten Sociëteit Alcuin in Delft. We had two bands playing there: Focus and Livin' Blues. That last band had a hit in those days with their version of Wang Dang Doodle ( ruclips.net/video/1Lsk9LI1E1I/видео.html ). Different music but also great. It was a great feast and I'll never forget it.
I had this song on a 70s K-tell Hits Album when I was a little kid. I loved this song! I had never heard anything like it (or since really). And all these years later, this is the first time I ever saw it performed. Thanks for doing this song. Your reaction was fun.
I still have that album.
PhantomOfSpirit Lol me too. Loved my K-Tels ❣️
Brainbox,,same Guitar player and drummer.
Downman.
@@RedbadvanRijn-ft3vv and bass player...Cyril Havermans
As a guitar player Jan Akkerman was probably the fastest guitar player back then to come out with a Jazz Rock Classical fusion style. He also played Classical finger style guitar. Van Leer was a phenomenal keyboard player as well as vocalist and the drummer and bass player were also amazing musicians.
That's Gladys Knight introducing the song. You should listen to Gladys Knight and The Pips 'Midnight Train to Georgia'. It is one of the greatest songs of all time. Pay attention to The Pips in that song. In one song they demonstrate many of the different roles back up singers can play in a song.
Difficult to listen to it without smiling at the very least, the unbridled joyful nuttiness
Where is the button to give this 1000 likes?
First time I heard this song I was in the car with my dad. I was maybe in high school. I remember being confused when the yodeling started and then my dad was all "bum bum bum AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
I laughed all the way home. I didn't hear it again 'till youtube posted this exact video. Played it for my dad, same thing. He tries to hit that note. Tries.
This is the same band that would 3 years later release an album called "The Hamburger Concerto". This is the track list for side 2:
1. "Hamburger Concerto
I. Starter (Trad. arr. by van Leer)
II. Rare (Akkerman)
III. Medium I (van Leer, Akkerman)
IV. Medium II (Akkerman)
V. Well Done (van Leer)
VI. One for the Road (Akkerman)"
Thijs van Leer is the lead guy, and Jan Akkerman (voted best guitarist of the year 1973 in Melody Maker magazine, still greatly respected today)is the guitarist. If you can't tell by the names, they are a dutch band.
Dutch Rock/Pop has a surprising history, going back to the Tielman Brothers in the late 50's, who brought rock instrumentals from Indonesia to Holland and can be seen on RUclips, these 5 Asian guys in 1959 all duded up like American rockers, with the guitarist doing stuff you wouldn't see again until Jimi Hendrix, like hopping on top of his brother's stand up bass to play the guitar behind his back while his brother keeps slapping away at the bass.
ruclips.net/video/muKkVufgkAE/видео.html
There are many other Dutch bands that found success in America, like Golden Earring(Radar Love, Twilight Zone), the Tee Set(Ma Belle Ami), Mouth and McNeil(How Do You Do), Shocking Blue(Venus), George Baker Selection(Little Green Bag), and Indie rockers Bettie Serveert in the 1990's. The Van Halen brothers were also born in Holland.
Okay, we need to get TY to do Mouth and McNeil!
@@fctv2631 then we could all na na na na....
LOL! I love that song! And, is it me or does Mouth look like the Muppets inspiration for Animal?
Herman Brood's Wild Romance!!!!! Cha Cha, Saturday Night etc
So that's what happened to me. I just figured it out. I was 13, watching H R Puffnstuff one Saturday morning in 73', then stayed up late and saw this that same night. My mind has been fried ever since. Damm, I can fire my therapist now. ;)
The producer's of Midnight Special miscalculated the amount of time needed, and told the band as the end of the show approached: "We're sorry, but you only have 4 minutes to perform your 6-minute song. Can you do it?" The band responded, "Heck, yeah!" Their high-speed success is the reason they got a standing ovation. (Ha! Just kidding, but it sure looks and sounds like it, doesn't it? It was a *tour de force!* )
The Lady At The Beginning Of the Video doing The Introduction is Gladys Knight she sung the National Anthem at this years Super Bowl
Last year the guitarist was in my town. We watched him in the rain. His daughter sang some songs.
… say his name: Jan Akkerman!
I think that was Gladys Knight who introduced them!
It was indeed Gladys.
Yes it was her
Yes it was!
mmmmmmmmmmm, oh Gladys !
I just typed that same query, before I got down,this low on comment section! Gladys was lookin gooood!
You're exactly right. That's why that crowd was standing. They'd never heard anything so different and original. Totally outside the lines.
Hocus Pocus is the perfect name for this. It was magical!!
Had just gotten back from Vietnam when this was on the air, ( wifes iPad ). Love yer channel young man!!! Refreshing to see a young man trying all kinds of music. FM radio USED TO play such a wide variety of music.
Creativity, originality and delicious eccentricity with absolutely no limits.
I just love the madness of this version.
I was 10. My dad used to let me play stuff over and over and over! ❤️ Miss you Dad 💙
Gladys Knight must've said: ''Child, I needs me a Midnight Train back to sanity"... ;)
brainsareus LMFAO
I've never heard this song played THIS fast! It's always been a fantastic and very original song, but played at this tempo, it's INSANE!
Brilliant and fearless musicians. No rules, just sheer joy. I miss it.
I first heard this as the studio version in the mid 80s when my friend Dominick played the song on his tape player for me. I thought it was fantastic, but mostly was laughing at it as a weird joke. And it is a joke song of sorts, but with top-tier masterful musicians playing the joke. This particular performance I only first saw a few years ago on YT. I was completely blown off my chair!!!! And the standing O at the end says it all: these guys blew the audience away, who probably never heard of them before. Glad you enjoyed it. Everyone should watch this performance at some point. Right up there with the Woodstock performances of Jimi Hendrix and Santana or Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk during Billie Jean.
Focus. They were all great musicians. Real musicians. The high note reached by Thijs van Leer is incredible. Would not be surprised if this ecperimentation inspired, in some way, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.
FOCUS is not only the name of a Ford! They were a well known progressive rock band in the 70's (especially in Europe), and Jan Akkerman, their highly regarded guitarist extraordinaire, was one of the first real 'shredders' that inspired many others to play! The other song they are known for (on the mellower side) is this one:
ruclips.net/video/uHDVz9JZt0U/видео.html
Enjoy!
I was about 16 or 17 when this song came out. I have a varied musical palate, thanks to my parents, so I've always liked a variety of music. This one? WOW, man. It still blows me away after all these years. Incredibly talented guys that pushed the envelope, then actually threw the envelope away. Back it the days when music was like a home cooked meal. It stayed with you.
Can you imagine you’re a record company exec and you’re like “Ok boys, show me what you came up with for the record.” 👍. These guys proove you got to play and entertain. People appreciate the full package even if it’s different.
Anyone who can yodel with that range, whistle and play the flute in one song, is one of a kind!
BTW, Jan Ackerman is still playing in his 70’s! Great jazz guitarist...
You'll be pleased to know that Focus has been reactivated in recent years by Thys van Leer (the Yodeling keyboardist) and drummer Pierre van der Linden from this line-up and have recently issued "Focus 50: Live in Rio", and they still kick butt. Unfortunately Thys can't hit those high notes anymore- he leaves that to the new guitarist.
I swear, I'm going to do this at the Karaoke some night! 😂
Great vocals without lyrics!
And THAT my friend was Jan Akkerman on guitar. One of my favorite groups ever. Early 70's progressive rock. The fist time I saw them I was blown away. Sylvia is a great song also. Very melodic. I'm 64 and I still need a Focus fix every once in a while.
1973..great year..i was born that year..lol..and i grew up with this song and alway though it was cool
everything about this song is impossibly hard.
-I saw this song go by in my feed for about 4 years before I clicked and checked it out.
-I have heard it before but to intentionally listen to it.
-For 1973 era this was way more aggressive and energetic then anything else. Set a true standard for others in this genre to judge themselves by.
*thanx for checking this out. I love this song.
I remember hearing this a lot on the radio when I was about 12. It seemed pretty cool and normal, because so many bands were doing innovative things back then. Guess we were just blessed to grow up in the 60’s and 70’s!
5:02 - Shit a brick, 1973 and he’s sweep picking!!!
I was borderline legal to drink in the UK when this hit number 1 - there was a little club, the 1925 club, with a postage stamp-size stage and a small dance foor. Focus played the club one night in the run up to 'making it big' commercially with this track and 'Sylvia'. The Club was in the back streets of Coventry (Motor City) and a bit dingy, smoky and had a bad rep, but always seemed to get really great bands playing there, despite only really (legally) holding about 200 people tops. They were stupendous that night and though I'd not heard this or Sylvia before, the 'shock' of those songs in that tiny auditorium still stands out in my memory even now. Great band and superb musicians. Old Man Mike (UK)
Jan Akkerman, the guitarist, is one of the hidden masters of the instrument.
This live version is in places about twice as fast as the studio version. The studio version contains absolutely sick guitar work, something that must have sounded absolutely vulgar in 1971. It is amazing.
I never saw this live version, but man that was off the chain.... thanks for that...
This song came out back when I was in college, I actually got to see Focus in concert in Phoenix then. It was awesome! Lots of other great songs as well!
The wonders of necessity and Bolivian marching powder.
Psychedelics were very popular in the early 70s and folks liked to get their minds blown. I think this is why there was more variety in music then compared to other times in history. If you were 'tripping' while listening to this song, you would hear every nuance of every instrument and vocal discreetly.
This song…first time l heard it I was crossing the street and l was so affected l stopped dead in my tracks and nearly got hit by a bike. It’s….it’s pure, pure joy really. When he starts whistling I always lose the plot. Oh your face is priceless watching this…the wild happiness of it is infectious.
This always puts a smile on my face. Pure joy.
yo man, I am 62 I listened to this song on a trip from Bonn (Germany) to Amsterdam (Holland) on a trip with my friend in my VW Beatle and the music came from a cassette player (you might have to research this on Wikipedia). So I was there my friend. Thank you for having an open mind, congrats mate. I am German by the way, I hope this does not put you off :-)
Sterling and I were discussing this in chat the other night! Talk about turnaround! :) For me, like a lot of great music, I came in off a cover. I love great guitar and in the 80's you had the guitar legends everywhere. One such man was Gary Hoey. He released Hocus Pocus as a single / video and I was hooked! THEN, as I broadened my library I learned it was a cover and started researching a little more prior to in explosion of the internet! Finally found on RUclips years later and was hooked even more! The great thing about covers is they often lead you to great music! Same with liner notes!
That was Gladys Knight introducing them on a show we watched in the 70’s called the Midnight Special. Every Saturday night. They had a guest host who would perform and also introduce the bands.
So great ..how can you not smile through that whole thing! Ya know Ty we had so much good music back them in the 60’s,70’s and 80’s I honestly think we may have taken it for granted..but yes this song was super unique even back then when we had a huge variety anyway!
Don't know whether I'll subscribe but I believe that you are the first person I've watched that has not said words to the effect of "Before we start, click Subscribe and turn on notifications". That in itself deserves a thank you.
Focus was told that they had 4 minutes on the show to play their song that was actually 7 minutes long. They decided to get the whole song in. You just witnessed the birth of speed metal.
I watched this on TV in 1973, the audio was also broadcast on an FM rock station so I had my new stereo in my new house blasting.
There were some really great Dutch bands in the 70's, Earth and Fire is another one, their keyboard player passed away earlier this week(aged 71)
All of them. The drummer, awesome technique, rolls, paradiddles, the singer/ keyboard/whistle/flute, the guitarist ...wow so fast too!! Tempo of what 250bpm? Lol. I was in Jr high. 7th grade.
Glad you enjoyed it
No idea if it's your sound mixer or how the video actually is, but man, the bass is popping in this song.
I love the organ here, because it takes over the rhythm guitar duties while Jan Akkerman absolutely shreds the solos.
Your reaction...twin to mine in '73, manic happy music. Makes me smile still........
When this came out it was BIG!! The album was amazing, everyone I know had a copy. They were not a one song band.
I have one of their greatest hits compilations, and you are right in your assessment that they were not a one song band...well, maybe the "US" version/remix of Hocus Pocus shouldn't be included; it doesn't have the same charm as the original.
@@Skorpio420 I think the main concern in North America was to keep the length radio friendly. Also company suits ALWAYS control what we hear and when.
I was about 12 years old when this song came out. So, likely I was borrowing plumbs and pears from the neighbors garden. But I do remember my older brother loved these guys. We shared a room so I had to listen to this at night when I had no clue what was going on. Now that I'm a lot older, well, I like it a lot.
The best recording is the original at the correct speed. Jan Akerman looking at van Leer on the Organ, and breaking into fits of laughter and has to turn away, absolutely brilliant !
This was written and recorded for their 1971 album but it didn't reach the us until 1973, after they started touring here!
One of the most unique songs ever.
Got to see the guitarplayer as a 10 year old kid in the 90s.Could not stop playing after that. Your whistling skills are underrated lol
You don’t know who Gladys Knight is? Turn in your black card AND your “renaissance” card until you’ve earned them. You’re a lad who needs a LOT more seasoning.
DUDE. YOU NAILED IT!!!!! This song came out a little before Ram-Jam: Black Betty. And, right before Blue Swede: Hooked on a Feelin'. I remember. I was born ins 1964. I was there for the REVOLUTION in music in the mid-to-late '70s. Man. BLONDIE. "Call Me" from the "American Gigolo" soundtrack. The ORIGINAL version. You GOTTA hear it. But Focus: Hocus Pocus. Man, you DID it. Now, do the extended studio version. Better hold onto your freaking socks. They will be BLOWN AWAY.
love your face at the flute solo...
I first heard them from a Ktel record-likely 72-74- wasnt blown away because I started grade school in 69-so was used to freaky stuff. As an adult and musician its a whole different story- mind blown. The singer is actually pretty well known in the Netherlands- has done work in many fields for adults and children alike.
Yeah, they did have to rush through it but just goes to show how good they were. This song was out way before Black Betty. When it came out on radio and heard it for the first time, I remember saying, I wish I had the stuff they were on and had a good laugh too. LOL! Also was riding in the car with dear old mom when I heard it again and had to turn it up for her. Bless her soul. Seriously though, THEY KICKED ASS! But I don't remember if they got any air time with any other songs they did. I was in the peak of my high school days and that era of music was always striving for originality and always achieved it. These groups were hits back then, now and always will be. Kids are all over the web are learning and covering these songs. I like to see that because it never gets old for me.
I remember EXACTLY where I was! It was 1973 and I was vacationing in the Keys in Florida at Bryn Mawr Resort. I was playing pinball in the Rec Room and this song came on. That was the 70’s, brother. Everyday was a new classic! I was blessed to have grown up right smack dab in the middle of that time. Glad you enjoyed it!! Those guys were SUPER talented musicians. Jan Akkerman is a beast!
They're still playing. Seen them 5 times in last ten years.. in the UK. Phenomenal band. Different line up now but original drummer and front man. Still as good.
I remember when this came out! Back in my van club days! Loved it! Still do !😉👍
I dare any band, group, etc. to cover this song. Would give my left leg to see these guys do the Super Bowl half time show!!!
In 1972 I was being cool in the eighth grade, I remember this song and loved it!!!
I just love the expressions on the faces of people who've never seen Focus live before, amazing live band. Thijs van der Leer the singer is a classically trained vocalist, and almost 50 years later after this clip he can still reach those high notes... Love this band.
WOW!!! That's a blast from the past! I LOVE that song! I haven't heard it for a few decades now...thank you for playing it! I was in 6th grade when it 1st came out....
ahh man so glad you got the experience this. that man's on a whole nother level. the first time I saw this I wasn't quite ready.
I'd really recommend that you check out the studio version of this song, played at its intended tempo. This performance was rushed for time, so rather than leaving parts out, they played it much faster than normal. I give them mad props for being able to play it this fast, and apparently complete, but I find the studio version to be much better.
By the time you get the to the flute break, you're like WHAT NEXT, and then you get a whistling solo.
I was there and it was a great time in music when originality meant something. The odd thing was that similar sounds were coming from other groups like the song "Frankenstein" from Edgar Winters Group. Radio was a much different medium in the '60-70s when a harder rock tune(Kinks,Rolling Stones,The Who) would be followed by a Soul(Johnny Mathis,Ben E.King,Otis Redding) tune then a Pop(Jackson 5,Carpenters,Linda Ronstadt) track. It was a good time.
Dutch masters.
Ian Akkerman and This Van Leer = Genius!
I Just Wanna Make Love To You - Foghat, would be a perfect accompaniment to this one.
Saw them with Black Oak Arkansas in the 70's and about 4-5 years ago started appreciating their music. Have a best of album that is awesome.
Really nice of the doctors to let them out that day.