List of Focus members

Two lineups of Focus in 1974 (top) and 2014 (bottom).

Focus are a Dutch progressive rock band from Amsterdam. Formed in November 1969,[1] the group originally included keyboardist, flautist and vocalist Thijs van Leer, guitarist Jan Akkerman, bassist Martin Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver.[2] After the release of the group's debut album Focus Plays Focus (known internationally as In and Out of Focus) in September 1970, Dresden and Cleuver were replaced by Cyril Havermans and Pierre van der Linden, respectively.[3] The new members debuted on the 1971 follow-up Focus II (known internationally as Moving Waves), although Havermans was replaced by Bert Ruiter before its release.[4] van der Linden was also briefly replaced on tour by Akkerman's younger brother Jacob in July 1971, but returned upon its conclusion.[5] In October 1973, the drummer left again.[6]

Returning with Colin Eric Allen in place of van der Linden,[7] Focus released their fourth studio album Hamburger Concerto in 1974.[8] Allen was later fired during the recording of Mother Focus in 1975 after performing on just one song,[9] with session drummer David Kemper brought in for the rest of the recording.[10] van der Linden briefly returned for tour dates following the album's completion,[11] although he had left again just a few months later.[12] Kemper returned for later tour dates.[13] A few days before the start of a UK tour in February 1976, Akkerman left Focus due to increasing tensions with van Leer.[14] He was replaced by Philip Catherine, while Richard James was brought in on drums.[15] In mid-1977, the group also added new lead vocalist P. J. Proby, second guitarist Eef Albers and drummer Steve Smith.[16]

Focus con Proby was released in 1978, although the band never toured with singer Proby.[15] Focus (featuring drummer James) played a handful of shows in the Netherlands in 1978, which ended in August before the group disbanded.[15] In 1984, van Leer and Akkerman reunited for a set of recordings under their own names, which were released the following March as Focus, followed by a short promotional tour.[17] A brief Focus reunion followed in 1990, with van Leer and Akkerman joined by Ruiter and van der Linden for a pair of television appearances.[18] The two core members of the band performed together again at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1993,[19] before van Leer attempted another short-lived Focus reformation with Ruiter, original drummer Cleuver and new guitarist Menno Gootjes in 1997.[20]

In 2002, Thijs van Leer reunited Focus again with new members Jan Dumée on guitar, Bobby Jacobs on bass and Ruben van Roon on drums.[21] Bert Smaak replaced van Roon shortly after the reformation, remaining until August 2004 when van der Linden returned to the band.[22] Dumée was replaced by Niels van der Steenhoven in 2006,[23] before Gootjes returned for a second stint in 2010.[24] Udo Pannekeet replaced long-time bassist Jacobs in December 2016.[25]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Thijs van Leer 2014 (14136035756).jpg
 Thijs van Leer
  • 1969–1978
  • 1990
  • 1998
  • 2002–present
all Focus releases
Pierre van der Linden.jpg
 Pierre van der Linden
  • 1970–1973
  • 1975
  • 1990
  • 2004–present
  • drums
  • percussion
Menno Gootjes.JPG
 Menno Gootjes
  • 1998

  • 2010–present
  • guitar
 all Focus releases from Focus X (2012) onwards
Udo Pannekeet 2017–present bass The Focus Family Album (2017)

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jan Akkerman 2.JPG
 Jan Akkerman
  • 1969–1976
  • 1990
 guitar
  • all Focus releases from Focus Plays Focus (1970) to Ship of Memories (1976)
  • Live Legends (2004)
Hans Cleuver
  • 1969–1970
  • 1997
  • drums
  • vocals
  • Focus Plays Focus (1970)
  • Ship of Memories (1976) – one track only
  • Live Legends (2004)
Martin Dresden 1969–1970
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Cyril Havermans 1970–1971
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Focus II/Moving Waves (1971)
  • Live Legends (2004)
Jacob Akkerman 1971 (touring) drums none
Focus - TopPop 1974 6.png
 Bert Ruiter
  • 1971–1978
  • 1990
  • 1997
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • all Focus releases from Focus 3 (1972) to Focus con Proby (1978)
  • Live at the BBC (2004)
  • Live Legends (2004)
Focus - TopPop 1974 6.png
 Colin Eric Allen 1973–1975
  • drums
  • percussion
David Kemper
  • 1975 (session)
  • 1976 (touring)
 drums
  • Mother Focus (1975)
  • Ship of Memories (1976) – two tracks only
Philip Catherine 01 (fcm).jpg
 Philip Catherine 1976–1978 guitar
  • Focus con Proby (1978)
  • Live at the BBC (2004)
  • Live Legends (2004)
Richard James
  • 1977-1978
 drums none
P.J. Proby 2007.jpg
 P. J. Proby 1977–1978 vocals Focus con Proby (1978)
Eefalbers2006.jpg
 Eef Albers guitar
Steve Smith on drum, with Vital Information, 18th Eventus DrumFest Opole 2009.jpg
 Steve Smith drums
Bobby Jacobs 2002–2016 bass
  • Focus 8 (2002)
  • Live in America (2003)
  • Live in Southamerica (2004)
  • all Focus releases from Focus 9/New Skin (2006) to Live in Europe (2016)
Jandumee.jpg
 Jan Dumée 2002–2006
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Focus 8 (2002)
  • Live in America (2003)
  • Live in Southamerica (2004)
Ruben van Roon 2002 drums none
Bert Smaak 2002–2004
  • Focus 8 (2002)
  • Live in America (2003)
  • Live in Southamerica (2004)
Niels van der Steenhoven 2006–2010 guitar Focus 9/New Skin (2006)

Timeline

References

  1. ↑ Randall, David (May 1991). "Focus" (Scan). Record Collector. No. 141. London, England: Diamond Publishing. p. 102. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Focus: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  3. ↑ Johnson 2013, p. 38
  4. ↑ Johnson 2013, p. 59
  5. ↑ Johnson 2013, p. 57
  6. ↑ Randall, David (May 1991). "Focus" (Scan). Record Collector. No. 141. London, England: Diamond Publishing. p. 105. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ Davies, Ben. "Hamburger Concerto – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  9. ↑ progcroc (17 October 2015). "In And Out of Focus... Colin Allen Interviewed in December 2008". theozymandiasprogject. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Inside Track" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 87 no. 20. New York City: Billboard Publications. 17 May 1975. p. 74. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ Johnson 2013, p. 139
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ Sutcliffe, Phil (6 March 1976). "If You Look Like This..." Sounds. United Newspapers. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  15. 1 2 3 Randall, David (May 1991). "Focus" (Scan). Record Collector. No. 141. London, England: Diamond Publishing. p. 106. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ Johnson 2013, p. 207
  18. ↑ Johnson 2013, pp. 224–225
  19. ↑ "Jan Akkerman & Thijs van Leer Band". North Sea Jazz Festival. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Baugh, Timothy (February 1998). "Exclusive Interview with Thijs Van Leer for Expose Magazine". Focus Tribute Homepage. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  21. ↑ progcroc (28 October 2015). "Go Focus Yourself... The Thijs van Leer Interview". theozymandiasprogject. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "Thijs van Leer – Flute Centre". Adams Musical Instruments. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  23. ↑ Severa, Alan. "Focus 9: New Skin – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  24. ↑ Savić, Nikola (12 September 2012). "Focus Sign Deal for Next Album". Prog Sphere. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  25. ↑ van Leer, Thijs (9 December 2016). "Udo Pannekeet". Focus. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
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