Dutch prog rock star, Thijs Van Leer from FOCUS speaks to Paul from VRP Rocks about the bands career, big hit Hocus Pocus, being knighted and plans for new music!
Thijs Van Leer is insanely talented, criminally underrated, and one of the nicest and coolest dudes EVER! Pure genius yet humble. SO glad he's still out there doing his thing.
As a kid Focus changed my perspective on music in fact I probably became a musician because of Focus. Prior to that I was listening to my sister's Elvis records. There was so much more to Focus than just Hocus Pocus in the early days. Hocus Pocus was more or less a spectacular novelty song. Why don't these interviewers touch on all the other really phenomenal material? They wrote some incredible music. Love Remembered, Carnival Fugue, Janis, Eruption, Hamburger Concerto , the whole album was a masterpiece. I could go on for hours talking about the music of Focus. It is painfully obvious that this interviewer knew very little about the band and their actual music. All the questions were recycled and asked many times before. I have to say that Thijs was a real gentleman. Jesus Christ if I had just 10 minutes with Thijs van Leer or Jan Akkerman I would have got a hell of a lot more insight than just asking the usual generic crap. I've done some interviews myself and have always tried to avoid the questions that have been asked a kazillion zillion zillion times. Very disappointing interview and many opportunities missed. ( I am not the Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull )
@@aschuppe Not underrated if you are one of the knowing ones. They were so different from the other prog bands in the early seventies. The only other really unique band that I can think of was Gentle Giant. These two bands were certainly in a category of their own.
@@iananderson7883 They were never underrated in my book. They were very innovative. I still listen to them quite often. Focus III has to be one of the greatest albums ever! Those four musicians were magical together.
As an old fart, and owner of the original vinyl when it came out, I have to say Thijs is unique, and I've never heard anything CLOSE to his vocal style in 50 years. Love him or hate him, that's the truth!
What a great band. Focus Rocks!
Thijs Van Leer is insanely talented, criminally underrated, and one of the nicest and coolest dudes EVER! Pure genius yet humble. SO glad he's still out there doing his thing.
As a kid Focus changed my perspective on music in fact I probably became a musician because of Focus. Prior to that I was listening to my sister's Elvis records. There was so much more to Focus than just Hocus Pocus in the early days. Hocus Pocus was more or less a spectacular novelty song. Why don't these interviewers touch on all the other really phenomenal material? They wrote some incredible music. Love Remembered, Carnival Fugue, Janis, Eruption, Hamburger Concerto , the whole album was a masterpiece. I could go on for hours talking about the music of Focus.
It is painfully obvious that this interviewer knew very little about the band and their actual music. All the questions were recycled and asked many times before. I have to say that Thijs was a real gentleman. Jesus Christ if I had just 10 minutes with Thijs van Leer or Jan Akkerman I would have got a hell of a lot more insight than just asking the usual generic crap. I've done some interviews myself and have always tried to avoid the questions that have been asked a kazillion zillion zillion times.
Very disappointing interview and many opportunities missed.
( I am not the Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull )
Ian, you made a lot of great points. Yes, Focus had some really GREAT tracks! I’m my opinion, they’ve always been very underrated.
@@aschuppe Not underrated if you are one of the knowing ones. They were so different from the other prog bands in the early seventies. The only other really unique band that I can think of was Gentle Giant. These two bands were certainly in a category of their own.
@@iananderson7883 They were never underrated in my book. They were very innovative. I still listen to them quite often. Focus III has to be one of the greatest albums ever! Those four musicians were magical together.
Amazing that he mentions Yma Sumac. She was a Peruvian singer. Very ecclectic style. Incredible range. Thijs van Leer is sn incredible musician.
Really loved hearing the back story on Hocus Pocus...one of the all time greatest rock songs!!!
LEGEND!!!
I met Thijs at the Robin 2, Bilston and he is as friendly as he is talented. Amazing musician.
As an old fart, and owner of the original vinyl when it came out, I have to say Thijs is unique, and I've never heard anything CLOSE to his vocal style in 50 years. Love him or hate him, that's the truth!
The one and the only Mr Thijs van Leer
An icon of musical virtuosity, at least for me
And still going strong today!
Thijs Van Leer is a fucking legend. As a 22 year old i feel grateful I have found his music. What a fucking legend.
Absolutely 💯% Such a nice guy and created some incredibly unique music that still stands out today.
Truly incredible to hear the story. My dad played this for me when I was little and I thought it was pretty cool and interesting.
Glad you enjoyed hearing Thijs' story Isaac! It's a great song isn't it, so unlike many other 'hits' from any generation!
@@VRPRocks Yeah!
Great interview dude! 🤘🔥🔥
Thanks StacXion! Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! In addition to being a great musician, what a nice msn!
Genius
Não vim aqui para explicar, eu vim para confundir - Chacrinha