List of Focus members
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Focus are a Dutch progressive rock band from Amsterdam. Formed in November 1969, the group originally included keyboardist, flautist and vocalist Thijs van Leer, guitarist Jan Akkerman, bassist Martijn Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver. The group broke up in 1978, but later reformed with various personnel changes in 1985, 1997 and finally 2002. The current lineup includes van Leer, drummer Pierre van der Linden (originally a member from 1971 to 1973, again from 1975 to 1976, and most recently since 2004), guitarist Menno Gootjes (originally from 1997 to 1998, and since 2010), and bassist Udo Pannekeet (since 2016).
History
[edit]1969–1978
[edit]Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman, Martijn Dresden and Hans Cleuver originally formed Focus in November 1969.[1][2] Shortly after the release of the band's debut album Focus Plays Focus, Dresden and Cleuver were replaced by Cyril Havermans and Pierre van der Linden, respectively, both of whom had previously worked with Akkerman as members of Brainbox.[3] The new members debuted on the follow-up Focus II, before Havermans was replaced by Bert Ruiter in September 1971.[4] The lineup remained stable for Focus 3, before van der Linden left in October 1973 due to musical differences with van Leer and Akkerman.[1] He was replaced by Colin Allen,[5] and Focus released their fourth album Hamburger Concerto in 1974.[6] Allen was later fired after recording just one track for the follow-up album.[7]
Released in 1975, Mother Focus featured drums recorded by session musician David Kemper.[8] van der Linden subsequently returned,[9] although by early 1976 he had departed again and Kemper had taken his place on tour.[10] The tour in question also featured new guitarist Philip Catherine, who joined on short notice after Akkerman suddenly left in February due to increasing tensions with van Leer.[11] By mid-1977, the group's lineup had changed drastically – P. J. Proby took over lead vocal duties, Eef Albers joined as a second guitarist, and Steve Smith replaced Kemper on drums.[12] Focus con Proby was released in 1978; the band never performed live with Proby, returning to tour the following year with new drummer Richard James.[1] After the tour concluded in August 1978, the group disbanded.[1]
1985 onwards
[edit]In 1984, van Leer and Akkerman reunited for a set of recordings under their own names, which were released the following March as Focus.[13] The newly reformed group was intended to tour in promotion of the release, but disbanded again shortly after the album's release due to continued tensions between the two.[1][14] Five years later, the pair reunited with former members Bert Ruiter and Pierre van der Linden for a performance of new and old material on a television special in the Netherlands, although it did not evolve into a full reformation.[1] van Leer and Akkerman subsequently performed together again at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1993,[15] before van Leer attempted another short-lived Focus reformation with Ruiter, original drummer Hans Cleuver and new guitarist Menno Gootjes in 1997.[16]
2002 onwards
[edit]In early 2002, Thijs van Leer reformed Focus again with new guitarist Jan Dumée, bassist Bobby Jacobs and drummer Ruben van Roon.[17] Bert Smaak replaced van Roon shortly after the reformation to complete work on the comeback album Focus 8, and remained until August 2004 when van der Linden returned to the band.[18] Dumée was replaced by Niels van der Steenhoven in time for Focus 9 / New Skin in 2006,[19] before Gootjes returned for a second stint in 2010.[20] After the band released Focus X and Golden Oldies, Udo Pannekeet replaced long-time bassist Jacobs in December 2016.[21] The Focus Family Album and Focus 11 followed in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Former bassist Bert Ruiter died on 24 March 2022, aged 75.[22]
Members
[edit]Current
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thijs van Leer |
|
|
all Focus releases | |
| Pierre van der Linden |
|
|
| |
| Menno Gootjes |
|
guitar |
| |
| Udo Pannekeet | 2016–present | bass |
|
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Former
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Akkerman |
|
|
| |
| Hans Cleuver |
|
|
| |
| Martijn Dresden | 1969–1970 |
| ||
| Cyril Havermans | 1971 |
| ||
| Bert Ruiter |
|
| ||
| Colin Allen | 1973–1975 |
|
| |
| David Kemper |
|
drums |
| |
| Philip Catherine | 1976–1977 | guitar |
| |
| Eef Albers | 1977–1978 | Focus con Proby (1978) | ||
| P. J. Proby | vocals | |||
| Steve Smith | drums | |||
| Richard James | none – live performances only | |||
| Bobby Jacobs | 2001–2016 |
|
| |
| Jan Dumée | 2001–2006 |
|
| |
| Ruben van Roon | 2001–2002 | drums | none – live performances only | |
| Bert Smaak | 2002–2003 |
| ||
| Niels van der Steenhoven | 2006–2010 | guitar |
|
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Timeline
[edit]
Lineups
[edit]| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| November 1969 – November 1970 |
|
|
| November 1970 – September 1971 |
|
|
| September 1971 – October 1973 |
|
|
| November 1973 – May 1975 |
|
|
| May – June 1975 |
|
|
| June 1975 – February 1976 |
|
none |
| March 1976 – June 1977 |
|
|
| June – late 1977 |
|
|
| Late 1977 – August 1978 |
|
none |
| Band inactive 1978–1985 | ||
| 1985 |
|
none |
| Band inactive 1985–1990 | ||
| 1990 |
|
none |
| Band inactive 1990–1997 | ||
| 1997–1998 |
|
none |
| Band inactive 1998–2002 | ||
| February – April 2002 |
|
none |
| April 2002 – August 2004 |
|
|
| August 2004 – 2006 |
|
none |
| 2006–2010 |
|
|
| 2010 – December 2016 |
|
|
| December 2016 – present |
|
|
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Randall, David (May 1991). "Focus" (Scan). Record Collector. No. 141. London, England: Diamond Publishing. pp. 102–107. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Focus: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Interview with Jan Akkerman - from "Radio 538 magazine", 24-11-1973" (PDF). Jan Akkerman. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Focus: Meet The Artists..." Focus Tribute Homepage. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "For the Record" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 35, no. 27. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. 17 November 1973. p. 30. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Davies, Ben. "Hamburger Concerto – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "In And Out of Focus... Colin Allen Interviewed in December 2008". theozymandiasprogject. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Inside Track" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 87, no. 20. New York City: Billboard Publications. 17 May 1975. p. 74. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "From the Music Capitals of the World" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 87, no. 23. New York City: Billboard Publications. 7 June 1975. p. 83. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "From the Music Capitals of the World" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 88, no. 12. New York City: Billboard Publications. 20 March 1976. p. 56. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Phil (6 March 1976). "If You Look Like This..." Sounds. United Newspapers. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Proby to Focus as Lead Singer" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 89, no. 28. New York City: Billboard Publications. 16 July 1977. p. 79. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Hoos, Willem (30 March 1985). "Hocus Pocus: Focus Is Back" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 13. New York City: Billboard Publications. p. 47. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ Hudson, Martin (2003). "Martin Hudson talks to Thijs Van Leer" (Scan). Classic Rock Society. Rotherham, England: Classic Rock Society. pp. 42–43. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Jan Akkerman & Thijs van Leer Band". North Sea Jazz Festival. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Baugh, Timothy (February 1998). "Exclusive Interview with Thijs Van Leer for Expose Magazine". Focus Tribute Homepage. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ progcroc (28 October 2015). "Go Focus Yourself... The Thijs van Leer Interview". theozymandiasprogject. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Thijs van Leer – Flute Centre". Adams Musical Instruments. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Severa, Alan. "Focus 9: New Skin – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Savić, Nikola (12 September 2012). "Focus Sign Deal for Next Album". Prog Sphere. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ van Leer, Thijs (9 December 2016). "Udo Pannekeet". Focus. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Bassist Bert Ruiter (75) van Earth & Fire en Focus overleden". NU.nl. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.