During the school break in the summer of 1972, my friend Gary Steaggles read in Melody Maker that Emerson Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Jack Bruce and the incredible Focus were playing an open-air concert at the Oval Cricket ground in London.

Gary, me and a couple of other friends bought tickets and then we waited patiently until that big day, the 30th of September. We ventured off early from North West London and headed into South London, to the Oval Cricket Ground. I had been to quite a few gigs before this and snuck my camera in and photographed them. But for these 13 & 14-year-old kids, this was our first ever big outside concert with huge named acts. Naturally, I was very excited. Weirdly, on this occasion, I took a ‘Super 8’ Cine Camera with me. My plan was to try and film as much of this event as I could. I didn’t have much film, but, at least I had some. The bands I wanted to see most were Emerson Lake & Palmer and the incredible Dutch band, Focus. Their song ‘Hocus Pocus’ had mesmerized me from the first time I heard it. I had instantly become a fan. So, I was more than thrilled when they walked on stage. I remember the excitement when they played and the crowd went crazy when they finished their, fast becoming, anthemic song, ‘Hocus Pocus.’ Thijs van Leer’s keyboard, flute, and vocal talents were spellbinding. As were the rest of the stunning band, with Pierre van der Lindon on drums and the majestic Jan Ackerman on lead guitar, and the brilliant Bert Ruiter on Bass. I did manage to film some of their set. My cine camera didn’t have sound, which is a real shame. Next year will be 50 years since I filmed them. Also, 50 years since I saw them live. I have been in the music business for a long time, but, I have not had the chance to see one of my favorite and one of the greatest bands of all time. Focus! About a week ago I was having an online chat with a friend of mine, the wonderful John Dam, who is based in the Faroe Islands. We were chatting about Status Quo and a few other artists when John said he will be promoting Focus in Scandanavia in 2022. I said I love Focus and would love to photograph them. He said they are in the UK right now! I asked him to speak to them and make arrangements for me to meet them and photograph them. He called them straight away and they agreed for me to come to their next gig, which was in Haslemere in Surrey, UK. Off I went to meet them. I arrived as planned, late afternoon. the band’s crew were loading in and I wandered in and met their tour manager who I had been liaising with on the phone. He is a real character and very funny. I couldn’t help notice that he was wearing bright yellow clogs. Yes, a dutchman wearing clogs shouldn’t be that rare. I complimented him on his clogs and he quietly whispered to me that they are rubber and more comfortable than the wooden ones. He bought them on eBay! So, now I will see if I can find a bright yellow pair in size 12 for me. Don’t laugh if you see me rock up anywhere near you soon wearing them.

Within a few minutes, the one and only Thijs van Leer came over to me and said hello. He said I hear you have some film of us at the Oval in 1972. We spoke about that gig quite a bit. We had differing memories, of course. Thijs remembered playing and the wonderful reception that Focus got that day. My memory was seeing them live and sitting in the hot sun on the grass waiting patiently, then filming them. However, both of our memories were of a wonderful gig and day back in 1972. Thijs told me that Jack Bruce invited so many musicians to come on stage and Jam with him, but Thijs was asked ‘not’ to join in. I was a bit surprised and thought how bloody rude was that! Thijs is a brilliant musician and an extremely nice man. So, all I can assume is that Mr Bruce had temporarily ingested some of Ginger Baker’s seriously lacking social skills during Bruce’s days with Cream. Suddenly Thijs and I were joined by Pierre van der Linden, one of the world’s greatest drummers. He was also charming and quite reserved. He also remembered the day at the Oval and was very excited that I have some footage. The band assembled and did their soundcheck.

Pierre van der Linden during the sound check.

After this Thijs said they were going to get a bite to eat and asked if was going with them. I politely declined. This was only because I am a bit paranoid about taking my mask off in public during these Covid times. I didn’t want to appear rude, but, better to be safe, I say. Whilst Thijs and I were chatting earlier we had both discussed this awful pandemic and, as I was fully masked up, he knew I was a little concerned, to say the least. Even though we had both been vaccinated. So the band went off for a bite. I grabbed myself a little takeaway and went and sat in my car and ate it. Then 20 mins before the show, I headed back to the venue, The Haslemere Hall. I went backstage and got and my cameras ready. The band was getting ready and they wandered onto the side of the stage. This was a sold-out show and I for one was very excited. It’s almost 50 years since I have seen Focus. They looked at each other and said let’s go. On they went and I realized that I wasn’t the only person excited to see them. Everyone was cheering, standing, and clapping as they walked on. I was thrilled and I was also amazed at how good they were live. But, why wouldn’t they be? After all, they are amazing musicians.

Obviously, Thijs is fantastic and so is Pierre, but the two newer guys are amazing too. On a guitar with some very big shoes to fill is Menno Gootjes. Well, what a great guitarist he is. I have seen a few in my time, but, this guy is something else. Jan Ackerman was the original guitarist in Focus and he was voted the best guitarist in the world back in the day. So, Menno takes that challenge and I thought raised the bar. He really is one hell of a guitarist. On bass guitar is Udo Pannekeet and yes, you guessed it, he too is incredible. All in all, Focus, are for me, the Real Dutch Masters.

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