Hocus Pocus

The Zoo Crew is spinning the wild and wacky Hocus Pocus by Focus, from their 1971 album Moving Waves, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its quirky energy. This song is a prog-rock oddity, blending a hard-hitting guitar riff with Thijs van Leer's yodeling, scat singing, whistling, and flute flourishes. It was written as a tongue-in-cheek parody of serious rock bands, with guitarist Jan Akkerman describing it in a 1973 NME interview as "just a send-up of those rock groups." The track's humor came from an improvised jam session, capturing the band's playful side. Its rondo structure alternates between a powerful rock chord riff and varied solo sections, making it a standout on airwaves for its sheer uniqueness. A faster version, Hocus Pocus 2, was recorded for the American market, adding funk elements, and served as the B-side in North America. The song's infectious energy has made it a cultural staple, appearing in films like Edgar Wright’s 2017 Baby Driver and the 2020 Trolls World Tour, as well as the theme for Finland’s Iltatähti TV program from 1973 to 1983.

Another fun tidbit about Hocus Pocus is its live performance evolution. Focus would often play it at breakneck speed during concerts, pushing the song’s chaotic energy to new heights. A 1970s TV performance, featuring the classic lineup with Akkerman, van Leer, Bert Ruiter, and Pierre van der Linden, included a hilarious moment where the band leaned into the song’s absurdity, with Akkerman leading a frantic jam. The song’s global reach was boosted by a 1972 appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test, followed by a British club tour, propelling it to No. 20 on the UK singles chart in 1973 and No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Fans on Focus Music’s Facebook group often share stories of discovering the song’s eccentric charm, with some calling it a "prog fever dream." Despite its success, a feud between van Leer and Akkerman has lingered, with Akkerman claiming Hocus Pocus as his own in interviews, downplaying van Leer’s contributions.

Focus began in Amsterdam in 1969, born from the creative spark of keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer. Initially, van Leer formed a rock trio with bassist Martijn Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver, but the arrival of guitarist Jan Akkerman, formerly of the Dutch band Brainbox, transformed the group. The quartet named themselves Focus and cut their teeth playing a Dutch production of the rock musical Hair. Their debut album, Focus Plays Focus (1970), flew under the radar, but lineup changes brought in drummer Pierre van der Linden and bassist Cyril Havermans, setting the stage for their breakthrough. Recording Moving Waves in London in 1971, the band fused progressive rock, jazz, and classical influences, with Hocus Pocus showcasing their genre-defying style. The album’s success, driven by the single’s global popularity, earned them gold certifications in the UK, US, and Netherlands, and a Conamus Export Award for international impact.

The band’s journey wasn’t without turbulence. Van der Linden briefly left before Moving Waves was released, replaced temporarily by Akkerman’s brother, only to return after a financial dispute was resolved. Akkerman and van Leer’s creative partnership soured by 1973, with tensions peaking during the recording of their fourth album, leading to Akkerman’s departure in 1976. Focus dissolved in 1978 but has since reformed multiple times, with van Leer as the constant, joined by van der Linden, guitarist Menno Gootjes, and bassist Udo Pannekeet since 2016. Their official website, focustheband.com, offers tour dates and merch, while their Facebook and Instagram pages share live performance clips and fan interactions. The band’s X account posts updates on new releases and shows. Fans connect on Focus Music’s Facebook group and Focus the Band Wiki, where devotees dive into the band’s storied discography and share love for tracks like Hocus Pocus.