Título: Focus (band)
Seção: 1985-1999: Reunions
Background: Focus are a Dutch rock band formed in Amsterdam in 1969 by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer. The band have 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. Past members include guitarist Jan Akkerman and bassist Bert Ruiter. They have sold one million RIAA-certified albums in the United States.

Conteúdo: In mid-1983, both of Akkerman's managers came up with the idea of the guitarist reuniting with van Leer to record new music, to which Akkerman agreed. Van Leer immediately accepted the invitation, and went on to play the synthesiser on "Headbanger" on Akkerman's 1984 solo album From the Basement. After this initial collaboration, one executive at Phonogram Records suggested the pair work with producer Trevor Horn to release an album of re-recorded Focus tracks, but it was dismissed. In the following 15 months, the two wrote, rehearsed, and recorded new music with several additional musicians with engineer Theo Balijob. Their contract required the two to record as a duet, rather under the name Focus. During the recording, producer Ruud Jacobs was brought in to supervise the project due to the length of time taken to put the tracks down. Balijon claimed Jacobs cut corners and pushed for the strongest tracks to be completed quickly to save production costs, which "unintentionally increased the animosity between Jan and Thijs". In the 63 days they spent recording from April to May 1984, around 30 tracks were completed with several additional musicians. Focus was released in March 1985 by Vertigo Records which reached number 33 in the Netherlands. The pair followed the album with promotional videos and a local four-date tour.  In 1988, EMI acquired the rights to the band's back catalogue and reissued their albums on compact disc for the first time.  In 1990, the former line-up of 

user: Did the band reunite during this time frame?

assistant: In 1990, the former line-up of van Leer, Akkerman, van der Linden, and Ruiter reunited for the first time since 1975.

user: Did anything particular happen during the reunion?

assistant: The four played a 40-minute set at the Americahal in Apeldoorn on 20 April that was broadcast as part of the Oud van Goud television special.

user: Was there anything else important happening?

assistant: On 17 May the group, minus Akkerman, mimed a performance of "House of the King" on the Service Salon television program on AVRO-TV.

user: What were some of their songs?

assistant: Hocus Pocus

user: Are there any other songs?

assistant: In the 63 days they spent recording from April to May 1984, around 30 tracks were completed with several additional musicians.

user: Did they do any tours during this time frame?

assistant: Focus was released in March 1985 by Vertigo Records which reached number 33 in the Netherlands. The pair followed the album with promotional videos and a local four-date tour.

user: Are there any other highlights during their reunion?

assistant: In 1999, van Leer attempted to reform Focus with Cleuver, Ruiter, and Dutch guitarist Menno Gootjes. They performed several live dates in the Netherlands,

user: Did  their band only play in other countries during this time?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: Did anything happen that ended their reunion in 1999?

assistant: disagreements between van Leer and Ruiter over material intended for release effectively split up the group.

user: Did any one else branch out on their own after that?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER