Focus in the 1990's

Everybody knows that Focus was active in the 70’s, from 1969 to 1978, and had a reunion in 1985 and in 1990, and active again from late 2001 to present. But did you know Focus also was active in the 90’s? Here’s an overview.

## 1990

On 20 April 1990, Focus had a one-off reunion concert with the original 1971-1973/1975 line-up of Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman, Pierre van der Linden and Bert Ruiter. The songs that was performed was Focus 3, Focus 2, House Of The King, Sylvia, Tommy (from Eruption), and Hocus Pocus. The concert was recorded for television and radio. Hocus Pocus was only aired on the radio version, not the televised version. The concert was at the 'Goud van Oud' show, by Radio Victoria.

## 1991

Focus had a break that year. Thijs had a few solo concerts, as a trio, including a show in Ibiza, Spain with soon-to-be bassist of Focus, Bobby Jacobs. The drummer was Peter Vlestra.

## 1992

In 1992, Thijs went into the studio with guitarist Age Kat and Bert Ruiter and recorded some Focus demos with a drum machine. The demos has never been released officially. The songs that was recorded was Focus 7, Sylvia, Focus 3 and a brand new song called Thaïs. Thijs played piano and synths, no organ. The line-up never toured.

Thijs also recorded some solo works and released those, including Introspection '92, and probably toured with that.

## 1993

On 10 July 1993, Thijs once again teamed up with Jan Akkerman, performing as a guest musician in Jan’s band on North Sea Jazz Festival. Among the songs performed was Focus 3, Hocus Pocus, Crackers, House Of The King and Focus 2. The rest of the set list was all Jan Akkerman solo pieces, but performed in Focus style in this occasion.

This would be the last time ever Jan and Thijs played together.
(You’ll never know, since both Jan and Thijs are still alive, it could be possible for a reunion with the two musicians once again in the future. They are 'enemies', so most likely will not happen. Never say never).

## 1993-1995

Later in 1993, Thijs started Focus again with the line-up of Eef Albers, Ruben van Roon and Bobby Jacobs and toured around the Netherlands only. Songs that often was performed that time was Song For Eva, Focus 7, Le Tango, It Takes 2 2 Tango (by Thijs), and Africa, Bulgarian, The Wolf and a untitled track (by Eef Albers), and covers Oleo, Autumn Leaves, Stella by Starlight, All Blues and Chameleon.

In 1995, they went into a recording studio and recorded some demos; Song For Eva, Focus 7, Positano and San Sebastian. They has never been released to this day.

Additional musicians that era were Roeland Jacobs, Fer van Duuren and Mike del Ferro.

## 1996-1997

Between 1995, 1996 and 1997, Thijs started an alternate Focus group called Conxi, with African musicians. The music was Focus-like tunes played in African styles. The line-up consisted of Thijs van Leer, Eef Albers, Ruben van Roon, Bobby Jacobs and African singer Molla Sylla. Later guitarist Menno Gootjes joined, and replaced Eef Albers. Thijs’s daugther Berenice van Leer has also performed in the group.

A video clip of the band performing live is seen in the documentary Single Luck from 1995, and another clip of the group recording in the studio is seen on the documentary Classic Albums from 1997.

Conxi was like a «*Focus and friends*» concept, like Focus 8.5 / Beyond the Horizon was in 2005/2016 with Brazilian musicians.

## 1997-1998

In 1997/1998, Thijs once again tried to start Focus with a new line-up. Hans Cleuver, the original drummer of 1969-1970 joined, together with Bert Ruiter on bass and Menno Gootjes on guitar.

The group went into the studio and recorded some demos, including Spanish Fly, A Salty Frog, Message Magique, Song For Eva, Talk Of The Clown, etc.

They also had a concert, at Mill Hockey Club on 30 August 1998.

After the demos was done, Thijs was happy with the result, and wanted to release it. Bert Ruiter thought it needed more work. Thijs insisted it was ready for release. Bert then left the band, and that resulted in a bitter break-up. Further planned concerts, including in Brazil, UK, etc. was cancelled. Thijs and Bert has never played together since then.

## 2000's

We’re now in 2001, a new century. Thijs once again started Focus with a new line-up. Together with Jan Dumee, Ruben van Roon and Bobby Jacobs. Ruben later left, and was replaced by Bert Smaak. Members will come and go in the years to come, and the rest is hisory. Focus was back, and has never had a break-up since. The group continues.