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The Latest Breaking News from Jan Akkerman

“It’s heraldic. It’s funny. It’s virtuoso and also really stupid! I wouldn’t change a note”: Simple ideas and happy accidents propelled a Dutch band’s second album to the pinnacle of prog. And yodelling.

Master craftsmen’s 1971 release was a unique fusion of ingenuity, passion and febrile chemistry – plus some tension – and they never looked back

"I play these songs because my soul and heart are in there..." Former Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman will release a new live album in December

"I play these songs because my soul and heart are in there..." Former Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman will release a new live album in December

Jan Akkerman also announces live dates for the Netherlands in December and Norway in June

“Yes showed you could write rocky prog, but UK took that further. They made complex music sound so easy, which makes me very envious”: Whitesnake ex Adrian Vandenberg’s prog inspirations

“Yes showed you could write rocky prog, but UK took that further. They made complex music sound so easy, which makes me very envious”: Whitesnake ex Adrian Vandenberg’s prog inspirations

The Dutch guitarist lists some British musicians who inspired the world at large, as much for their attitudes as their creations

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“The creative tension helped here and there. At other times it did not help… it’s difficult to define”: Thijs van Leer reveals his only real regret as Focus roll on in their 55th year

He recalls breaking out of the Netherlands, his relationship with former guitarist Jan Akkerman, and the one album he’d like to remake

Jan Akkerman announces two Trading Boundaries shows in June

Dutch prog legend and Focus co-founder Jan Akkeman brings hus My Focus tour to the UK in June

“Even though I go off on a tangent sometimes, I think he appreciates the melodic aspect I bring to the John Hackett Band”: Guitarist Nick Fletcher indulges himself on solo instrumental Quadrivium

Jazz rocker explores modes, plaintive tones and mysticism on his album, featuring old bandmate Dave Bainbridge

"One minute they were a band you'd never heard of, then the next you couldn't get into the gigs": In 1972 the then-unknown Focus appeared on UK TV. Within a year, their guitarist was voted best player on the planet

Powered by Jan Akkerman's guitar and Thijs van Leer's Hammond organ, Sylvia helped pave the way for the rapid rise to fame of Dutch proggers Focus

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“I speak like I do because I spent years trying to impersonate Vivian Stanshall”: Comedian and musician Ade Edmondson’s prog record collection

“I speak like I do because I spent years trying to impersonate Vivian Stanshall”: Comedian and musician Ade Edmondson’s prog record collection

The Young Ones and Bottom star fronted The Bad Shepherds with inspirations including the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Jethro Tull, Focus, Alex Harvey and a stack of folk influences

Rick Wakeman teams up with Jah Wobble and Chester Thompson for new track Io

Rick Wakeman teams up with Jah Wobble and Chester Thompson for new track Io

Wakeman, Wobble and Thompson all appear on new The Fusion Syndicate album out in September

“We discovered we had an audience out there and it numbered in millions”: How Focus secured TV music show The Old Grey Whistle Test’s future

“We discovered we had an audience out there and it numbered in millions”: How Focus secured TV music show The Old Grey Whistle Test’s future

Revered music series ran for nearly two decades after Thijs van Leer’s band played two-song set during its first year

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