Not that it has all been smooth. There have been traumas and upheavals within the ranks-a succession of bass players before Burt Reiter, and change that brought ex-John Mayall, Zoot Money and Stone The Crows drummer Colin Allen in to replace Pierre Van Der Linden.

Thijs Van Leer is the group's founder, a former member of the Dutch Conservatorium of Music and writer of the bulk of Focus'material. Born in Amsterdam in 1948 he was educated at Hilversum Grammar School and Amsterdam University. He was awarded a degree for flute at Geneva Conservatoire and took orchestration and arranging tuition from Dutch composer Roger Van Otterloo. His organ master was the conductor and classical organist Anthon Van Der Horst.

 Bert Ruiter in Focus Thijs van Leer out of Focus
Jan Akkerman in Focus Jan Akkerman, formerly in another Dutch band called Brainbox, joined Focus, (then a trio with Thijs, Martin Dresden on bass, and Hans Cleuver on drums) in early 1970, and the quartet's first work was as the nucleus of a nine piece outfit backing the Dutch version of "Hair".

In 1970 Focus came to London to record their first album "In And Out of Focus", no mean achievement in itself at that time. It was at the express wish of Jan that Pierre Van Der Linden, also a former member of Brainbox, replaced Cleuver on drums, and in 1971 Burt Reiter took over from Cyril Havermans on bass.

 Thijs van Leer in Focus

continuation >>>

This rare Focus 1976 UK Tour Program was kindly sent by Chuck Cobb

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