List of Focus members

Last updated February 12, 2024

Three lineups of Focus in 1974, 2014, 2023

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

1969–1978

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

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

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

Current

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Thijs van Leer	1969–1978 1985 1990 1997–1998 2001–present	keyboards synthesisers piano flute vocals	all Focus releases
Pierre van der Linden	1971–1973 1975–1976 1990 2004–present	drums percussion	Focus II (1971) Focus 3 (1972) At the Rainbow (1973) Ship of Memories (1976) Masters from the Vault (2002) all Focus releases from Focus 9 / New Skin (2006) onwards
Menno Gootjes	1997–1998 2010–present	guitar	Focus X (2012) Golden Oldies (2014) The Focus Family Album (2017) Focus 11 (2018)
Udo Pannekeet	2016–present	bass	The Focus Family Album (2017) Focus 11 (2018)

Former

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Jan Akkerman	1969–1976 1985 1990	guitar lute occasional bass and percussion	all Focus releases from Focus Plays Focus (1970) to Ship of Memories (1976) Masters from the Vault (2002)
Hans Cleuver	1969–1970 1997–1998	drums percussion occasional vocals	Focus Plays Focus (1970) Ship of Memories (1976) – one track only
Martijn Dresden	1969–1970	bass backing vocals
Cyril Havermans	1971		Focus II (1971) Masters from the Vault (2002)
Bert Ruiter	1971–1978 1990 1997–1998 (died 2022)		all Focus releases from Focus 3 (1972) to Focus con Proby (1978) Live at the BBC (2004)
Colin Allen	1973–1975	drums percussion	Hamburger Concerto (1974) Mother Focus (1975) – one track only
David Kemper	1975 (session) 1976	drums	Mother Focus (1975) Ship of Memories (1976) – two tracks only Live at the BBC (2004)
Philip Catherine	1976–1977	guitar	Focus con Proby (1978) Live at the BBC (2004)
Eef Albers	1977–1978	guitar	Focus con Proby (1978)
P. J. Proby		vocals
Steve Smith		drums
Richard James	1977–1978	drums	none – live performances only
Bobby Jacobs	2001–2016	bass backing vocals	Focus 8 (2002) Live in America (2003) all Focus releases from Focus 9/New Skin (2006) to The Focus Family Album (2017)
Jan Dumée	2001–2006	guitar backing vocals	Focus 8 (2002) Live in America (2003)
Ruben van Roon	2001–2002	drums	none – live performances only
Bert Smaak	2002–2003	drums	Focus 8 (2002) Live in America (2003)
Niels van der Steenhoven	2006–2010	guitar	Focus 9/New Skin (2006) Live in Europe (2009) Live in England (2016)

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
November 1969 – November 1970	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Martin Dresden – bass, backing vocals Hans Cleuver – drums, percussion, backing vocals	Focus Plays Focus (1970) Ship of Memories (1976) – one track only
November 1970 – September 1971	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Cyril Havermans – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	Focus II (1971)
September 1971 – October 1973	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	Focus 3 (1972) At the Rainbow (1973) Ship of Memories (1976) – remaining tracks
November 1973 – May 1975	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Colin Allen – drums, percussion	Hamburger Concerto (1974) Mother Focus (1975) – one track only
May – June 1975	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals David Kemper – drums(session)	Mother Focus (1975) – remaining tracks Ship of Memories (1976) – two tracks only
June 1975 – February 1976	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums	none
March 1976 – June 1977	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Philip Catherine – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals David Kemper – drums	Live at the BBC (2004)
June – late 1977	P. J. Proby – vocals Thijs van Leer – keyboards, flute Eef Albers – guitar Philip Catherine – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Steve Smith – drums	Focus con Proby (1977)
Late 1977 – August 1978	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Eef Albers – guitar Philip Catherine – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Richard James – drums	none
Band inactive 1978–1985
1985	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar	none
Band inactive 1985–1990
1990	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Akkerman – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums	none
Band inactive 1990–1997
1997–1998	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Menno Gootjes – guitar Bert Ruiter – bass, backing vocals Hans Cleuver – drums	none
Band inactive 1998–2002
February – April 2002	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Dumée – guitar, backing vocals Bobby Jacobs – bass, backing vocals Ruben van Roon – drums	none
April 2002 – August 2004	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Dumée – guitar, backing vocals Bobby Jacobs – bass, backing vocals Bert Smaak – drums	Focus 8 (2002) Live in America (2003)
August 2004 – 2006	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Jan Dumée – guitar, backing vocals Bobby Jacobs – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	none
2006–2010	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Niels van der Steenhoven – guitar Bobby Jacobs – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	Focus 9 / New Skin (2006) Live in Europe (2009) Live in England (2016)
2010 – December 2016	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Menno Gootjes – guitar Bobby Jacobs – bass, backing vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	Focus X (2012) Golden Oldies (2014)
December 2016 – present	Thijs van Leer – vocals, keyboards, flute Menno Gootjes – guitar Udo Pannekeet – bass Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion	Focus 11 (2018)

Related Research Articles

Focus are a Dutch progressive rock band formed in Amsterdam in 1969 by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer, drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Martijn Dresden, and guitarist Jan Akkerman. The band has undergone numerous formations in its history; since December 2016, it has comprised Van Leer, drummer Pierre van der Linden, guitarist Menno Gootjes, and bassist Udo Pannekeet. They have sold one million RIAA-certified albums in the United States.

Jan Akkerman is a Dutch guitarist. He first found international commercial success with the band Focus, which he co-founded with Thijs van Leer. After leaving Focus, he continued as a solo musician, adding jazz fusion influences.

Thijs van Leer is a Dutch singer and keyboardist, best known as the founding member of the rock band Focus as its primary vocalist, keyboardist, and flautist. Born and raised in Amsterdam among a musical family, van Leer took up the piano and flute as a child and pursued them at university and music academies.

Focus 3 or Focus III is the third studio album by Dutch rock band Focus, released as a double album in November 1972 on Imperial Records. Recorded after touring in support of their previous album, Moving Waves (1971), the album saw the band write extended pieces and is their first with bassist Bert Ruiter in the group's line-up.

<i>Focus II</i> 1971 studio album by Focus

Focus II is the second studio album by Dutch progressive rock band Focus, released in October 1971 on Imperial Records. Following the departure of original bassist Martin Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver in 1970, the band recruited Cyril Havermans and Pierre van der Linden, respectively, and prepared material for a new album. Focus recorded Focus II in London in April and May 1971 with Mike Vernon as producer. The album features "Hocus Pocus" a hard rock song featuring keyboardist Thijs van Leer's yodelling, scat singing, and whistling, and "Eruption", a 22-minute track inspired by the opera Euridice by Italian composer Jacopo Peri.

Brainbox is a Dutch rock group from the late 1960s/early 1970s. The band was founded in Amsterdam by guitarist Jan Akkerman , drummer Pierre van der Linden and singer Kazimir Lux (Kaz). Their debut single was "Down Man", which established their progressive blues sound. They had several hit singles in the Netherlands, including "Down Man". "Doomsday Train", "Summertime", "To You", "Virgin" and "The Smile".

Cyril Havermans is a Dutch musician, best known for being in the progressive rock band Focus.

<i>Focus Plays Focus</i> 1970 studio album by Focus

Focus Plays Focus is the first studio album by Dutch rock band Focus, released in September 1970 on Imperial Records. It is the only album recorded by the group's original line-up consisting of organist and vocalist Thijs van Leer, bassist Martijn Dresden, drummer Hans Cleuver, and guitarist Jan Akkerman. It was renamed In and Out of Focus for the international re-release of the album from 1971 onwards which included their debut single "House of the King".

<i>Hamburger Concerto</i> 1974 studio album by Focus

Hamburger Concerto is the fourth studio album by the Dutch progressive rock band Focus, released in April 1974. It peaked at No. 20 on the UK charts. The title track is based on Variations on a Theme by Haydn by Johannes Brahms. The composition also incorporates the first two verses of the Dutch Christmas carol O Kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen at around 15 min. The first track is based on a Gaillarde of Joachim van den Hove of his work Delitae Musicae.

<i>Mother Focus</i> 1975 studio album by Focus

Mother Focus is the fifth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1975 on Polydor in Europe, on Atco Records in North America and on EMI in Japan.

<i>At the Rainbow</i> 1973 live album by Focus

At the Rainbow is the first live album from the Dutch rock band Focus, released in October 1973 on Imperial Records. The album was recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London on 5 May 1973 by The Pye Mobile Unit, recording engineer Alan Perkins. A studio album was initially slated for release, but it was shelved due to disagreements within the band. At the Rainbow was released instead.

<i>Ship of Memories</i> 1976 compilation album by Focus

Ship of Memories is a compilation album from the Dutch rock band Focus, released in 1976 on EMI-Bovema. During a period of group inactivity, longtime associate Hubert Terheggen asked their producer Mike Vernon to select previously unreleased material for official release. Compiled without any active involvement by any band member, the recordings date from January 1970 to mid-1975, and largely during unproductive recording sessions in 1973 for a follow-up studio album to Focus 3 (1972).

Profile is an album by Dutch jazz guitarist Jan Akkerman.

<i>Focus con Proby</i> 1978 studio album by Focus

Focus con Proby is the sixth studio album by the Dutch rock band Focus, released in 1978 on EMI Records. It features five tracks with vocals from American singer P. J. Proby. The record also features guitarists Eef Albers and Philip Catherine, drummer Steve Smith, as well as the two Focus members from previous albums. Smith and Albers would later go on to collaborate on the first two albums of Smith's band Vital Information.

<i>Focus X</i> 2012 studio album by Focus

Focus X is the tenth studio album by the Dutch progressive rock band Focus, released on 5 November 5, 2012 by Eastworld Recordings.

Bobby Jacobs is a Dutch bassist, songwriter and producer best known as the former bassist for the Dutch rock band Focus, from 2002 to December 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvia (Focus song)</span> 1972 single by Focus

"Sylvia" is a 1972 song by Dutch progressive rock band Focus. It was released on their 1972 album Focus 3 and as a UK single on 27 January 1973. The single became the band's biggest international hit, reaching number 4 in the UK Singles Chart and number 89 in the US Billboard chart.

<i>The Focus Family Album</i> 2017 compilation album by Focus

The Focus Family Album is a compilation album by the Dutch progressive rock band Focus. It's a compilation album, and shares the same concept with 1976's Ship of Memories. A total of 15 previously unreleased tracks and alternate versions are included on this set.

<i>Focus 11</i> 2018 studio album by Focus

Focus 11 is the thirteenth studio album by Dutch progressive rock band Focus, released in November 2018 on in and Out of Focus Records. It is their first album to feature bassist Udo Pannekeet, who replaced Bobby Jacobs in 2016.

<i>Live at the BBC</i> (Focus album) 2004 live album by Focus

Live at the BBC is a live album by the Dutch progressive rock group Focus, recorded on 21 March 1976, and broadcast on Radio 1 in the BBC Concert Series, but released only in 2004 by Hux Records, in CD format.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 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.

External links

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[randall-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Randall, David (May 1991). "Focus" (Scan). Record Collector . No. 141. London, England: Diamond Publishing. pp. 102–107. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[allmusic-2] Ankeny, Jason. "Focus: Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[3] "Interview with Jan Akkerman - from "Radio 538 magazine", 24-11-1973" (PDF). Jan Akkerman . Retrieved 9 July 2019.

[4] "Focus: Meet The Artists..." Focus Tribute Homepage. Retrieved 9 July 2019.

[5] "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.

[6] Davies, Ben. "Hamburger Concerto – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[7] "In And Out of Focus... Colin Allen Interviewed in December 2008". theozymandiasprogject. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[8] "Inside Track" (Scan). Billboard . Vol. 87, no. 20. New York City: Billboard Publications. 17 May 1975. p. 74. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[9] "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.

[10] "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.

[11] Sutcliffe, Phil (6 March 1976). "If You Look Like This..." Sounds . United Newspapers . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[12] "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.

[13] 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.

[14] 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.

[15] "Jan Akkerman & Thijs van Leer Band". North Sea Jazz Festival . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[16] Baugh, Timothy (February 1998). "Exclusive Interview with Thijs Van Leer for Expose Magazine". Focus Tribute Homepage. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[17] rogcroc (28 October 2015). "Go Focus Yourself... The Thijs van Leer Interview". theozymandiasprogject. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[18] "Thijs van Leer – Flute Centre". Adams Musical Instruments. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[19] Severa, Alan. "Focus 9: New Skin – Focus: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[20] Savić, Nikola (12 September 2012). "Focus Sign Deal for Next Album". Prog Sphere. Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[21] van Leer, Thijs (9 December 2016). "Udo Pannekeet". Focus . Retrieved 16 December 2017.

[22] "Bassist Bert Ruiter (75) van Earth & Fire en Focus overleden". NU.nl. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.

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v t e Focus
Thijs van Leer Pierre van der Linden Menno Gootjes Udo Pannekeet Jan Akkerman Hans Cleuver Martin Dresden Cyril Havermans Bert Ruiter Colin Allen David Kemper Philip Catherine Eef Albers P. J. Proby Steve Smith Bobby Jacobs Bert Smaak Jan Dumée Ruben van Roon Niels van der Steenhoven
Studio albums	Focus Plays Focus (In and Out of Focus) Focus II (Moving Waves) Focus 3 Hamburger Concerto Mother Focus Ship of Memories Focus con Proby Focus 8 Focus 9 / New Skin Focus X Golden Oldies Focus 8.5 / Beyond the Horizon Focus 11
Live albums	At the Rainbow Live at the BBC
Singles	"House of the King" "Hocus Pocus" "Sylvia"
Related articles	Discography Members