Focus says, ""But it's a six minute song!!" Midnight Special says," Sorry but we can only give you three..." Focus says, "Hold my beer"......

They are a Dutch group. The song is normally 6:35 minutes. But they only got about 3 minutes of play time. And they just played the entire song so fast that is would fit. Jan Akkerman is the gitarist. The guy on the organ is Thijs van Leer.

FYI - "That lady" is Gladys Knight

Amazing that it wasn't an audience just for Focus, but they gave the band a standing ovation.

Focus was one of the only performances to get a standing ovation on the Midnight Special.

this song was much slower but they only gave the band a certain amount of time. instead of drop any of the song.... they just sped it up!!

Time to hit Frankenstein by Edgar Winter if you're not finished with blowing your mind.

That's why the 60's and 70's was so great for music. You never know what you're going to see/hear...

The legendary Jan Akkerman on guitar

You should now listen to "Hocus Pocus" at normal speed and when you're at it have a listen to their other big hit "Sylvia".

The drummer is 🔥

Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977, Richard Dreyfuss. Fantastic flick

Whether it's music, comedy, or drama, the only real rule is "move the crowd". This song is wacky, but it's also groovy and it gets you moving.

Watching to see BP have his mind blown.

This is what we grew up on. Boomers can die happy.

Complete insanity 😂😂 BTW “that lady” was Gladys Knight 😊❤️‍🔥✌🏻🫶🏻

A classic! Only standing ovation at midnight special show ever! I saw it in high school, reacted just like you! Peace from Northern Michigan!

When it comes to this performance I now hardly ever look at the video itself, just watch the stunned faces of the reactors. Yours did not disappoint!

Play this for almost anyone under 30 and it blows their minds.

Focus was a Dutch progressive rock band founded in 1969. The 'singer' is Thijs van Leer. The 'lady' is Gladys Knight (aka "The Empress of Soul") of Gladys Knight & The Pips, best known for songs like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "If I Were Your Woman". She's a 10-time Grammy winner. You should react to some of her songs. The Pips were her all-male backup singers, dancing behind her in live and TV performances. If you want 'weird', check out the Bonzo Dog Band. -"Jollity Farm" -"Tubas in the Moonlight" -"I'm Bored" -"Death Cab for Cutie" (this song was released in 1967, 30 years before a band in Washington state took the title as their band name) -"Laughing Blues" (This one's a lot of fun!) Or Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band. Try "Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop" from his album "Lick My Deals Off, Baby" (1970) There's a reason the last 5 years of the 1960s produced such musical creativity. And this isn't even the really weird stuff.

MAD mad guitar work But the drummer was freaking FIRE!!! Then crazy ass vocals...this song was the whole package. Back in high-school I had it for that drummer!!

Jan Akkerman [ the guitarist] also had some albums out where he played complex Bach lute pieces on the guitar. That's why he can play that fast fluid stuff, more than just the usual arpeggios. Thijs Van Leer [ organ, flute & vocal] is still going, still fronting the band. He doesn't hit quite the same high notes nowadays. During one of my university stints, one of my course-mates was a heavy metal guitarist, who also used to play Back lute & organ pieces for practice, because they contain very complex progressions & structures.

Since you liked this, you should check out Frankenstein from Edgar Winters Group kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hp6WYLSTksjbnIk.html Also Check out Tobacco Road Live from Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l8xgpblnydLNj6M.html. You will love both of these songs/videos!!

Thijs van Leer, there at the keyboards doing the vocals, is a Dutch icon. I have had the pleasure to meet him thrice. I volunteer for the Netherlands' biggest free music festival, Big Rivers. Last time I met him was last year and was still performing under the name of Focus, although he's about the only original member left. Wonderful man. Really down to earth.

Good Reaction,My Friend. I saw them in South East London in 1972 and the lead/organist is still performing over 50 years later. Other songs by Focus are totally different like "Sylvia" and "Love Remembered" ENJOY:)

Welcome to the 70's, my man. I remember when this song came out, and I LOVED it!!!!

Programs like "Midnight Special" and "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" were transformational for my friends and I. We were 14, 15, and 16 years old, gathering in my basement to watch these incredible acts. This is why I am so grateful to have grown up in that decade.

My buddies and I did a lot of hallucinogens back in the day. We listened to this many times. Your interpretation is the wildest thing ive ever heard about this song! Thats impressive.

The WHOLE band is killing it! The drummer is bananas! Keyboard/whistler/Flutist is Absurdly talented. Jan on guitar id THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARIST OF THE CLASSIC ROCK ERA.

It's ALWAYS entertaining the 1st time someone sees this and has NO IDEA what's coming........LOL

Ahh the most beautiful oddball song out there. This was a mini performance of the song. There's another video out there that is longer and wilder

They had 5 minutes to play an 8 1/2 minute song....everything was almost double time!

THAT is a bunch of amazingly talented musicians turning it up to 11.

When he started yodelling, I loved the expression on your face. 🙄

Priceless reaction!! You made my day happier!

In the 9 years of Midnight Special, this was the only Full Audience Standing Ovation. Ratings were through the roof for this as it was the only way to see Live Bands except in concert. University and High School students, shut everything down Early Saturday Morning at 1230am until 2am, there were dozens of us watching, and lights were on in every house with 15-30 years old across the country.

In 1973 when this song/album came out I was the first person in my fraternity house to buy this album. When I played Hocus Pocus all my frat brothers gathered around my room to listen. Everybody was shocked, yet there was lots of laughter! What an unusual song by Focus!

The more I see this performance, the more I have come to believe this is the greatest live show in history!

When I saw you'd reacted to this I knew I would love it. You have to show Don 😁

If you want to see more awesomeness watch Frankenstein by Edgar Winters Group 1973.

You are watching masters in their field. Ahead of their time and they were asked to shorten the song for time limits and they said no, we will just speed it up. Listen to the studio version and you will see. Listen to other tracks on the album "Moving Waves" They were incredible

Loving what you dig up in your archaeological journey. 60s 70s 80s was a great time to be alive.

One of the greatest prog rock songs of all time!

Wow, anything went in the 70s. It was great. 😊

The 70’s were awesome as far as music.

Jan Akkerman was one of the early GOATs for shredding way before it was common. He influenced several guitarist especially in Europe. They had to do this song at a faster tempo to fit it in before the end of the show. That drummer is next level on this.

The daddy of all headbanging tracks. There were two fantastic Dutch groups around at the time being this lot and Golden Earring

First saw them live at the beginning of '73 and again a few months after this performance in May '74 ! This " one off " version of the song was played at approx double the speed it was normally played due to time constraints from the producers of this show . The band weren't prepared to do a shortened version so decided " what the hell we'll just speed it up " - and this was the result . Thijs van Leer the guy on keys , flute and vocals is still active ( as are the band with a changed lineup ) . Jan Ackerman ( guitar ) was voted the world's best guitarist in 1973 . Off to see them live again in November - 50 years after the last time ! 😱😱😱

Haven't heard this for decades and it actually does sound like he's speaking light language. way before it was a thing. 😁

Every time I see someone react to this song it makes me laugh because I know it’s not what the reactor was thinking. This was a version that was done in double time because the show wanted them to shorten the song and they refused so they just sped it up.

Jan Akkerman was proclaimed the best guitarist in the world by an English music magazine.

Fast forward 51 years & I saw the current line up of Focus live at a venue near me in the UK the other week. This took me right back to my teenage years when this band first became famous. A great night out & the founder member of the band, Thijs van Leer on keys (now in his '70's), has still got it. I don't think he can do the whistling or high pitch notes these days but he still plays the flute in one hand while playing the keyboard with the other. The other band members are all very accomplished & were given their own slots to shine on the night. The very essence of a progressive rock band.

i first heard this song playing at an Apocalyptica concert in 2008 lol my brother and i were extremely confused but my dad was like "oh, it's hocus pocus by focus!"

LOL..I had completely forgotten about that song. It was out there and absolutely outside the known realm but they knew their instruments.

THIS PERFORMANCE is PHENOMENAL!!! I remember this song on the radio - and, it's really TWICE as long - and, I believe....towards the end - the drummer actually is checking out the clock, as they were only allowed HALF the time of the song on the show....and, rather than cut it short - they played it at double-time!! AMAZING!!! They were SO CREATIVE!!! THANKS for THIS ONE, BP!!! :) HUGS!!

The singer name is Thijs van Leer, he is now 76 years old :)

Again I say, this is real music and why we baby boomers don't get rap and today's music in general.

They were in a big time limit because it was TV and they only had 3 minutes or something to do the number. So instead of cutting it short, they played it fast. It's excellent.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind. LOL I love watching the reactions to this performance. They had to speed it up because they didn't have enough time to do the song at the normal tempo , not enough air time, so it felt even more frenetic than usual. That is what was so great about music in the 60' s and 70's, the variety, the experimentation, the talent!

Once heard, never forgotten. It's always fun to watch someone reacting to this for the first time. Incredible, very left-field, Dutch band. And they were all possessed - brilliant musicians. Thijs (pronounced TYCE) van Leer on organ and lead yodel, Jan Akkerman on lead guitar, Pierre van der Linden on drums, and Bert Ruiter on bass. According to legend, they sped the song up to fit it into the time slot they were given, so it was even more frenetic than the album version. PS - "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" :)

You need to check out Frankenstein by the edgar winters group

Greatest reaction yet. Know you know how free and great everything was then

They were the only band on Midnight Special to ever get a standing ovation. It seemed fast because it is an 8 1/2 minute song and they were told they only had 5 minutes to play. They sped it up instead of cutting out any of the song. Listen to the album version. It's awesome.

I recently saw an interview with the lead vocalist a few months ago. According to him, he was in the studio messing around on the keyboard when the Drummer joined in; he was doing vocal warm-ups. Before they knew it, they turned it into a song. If you pay attention to it, he's yodeling in tune with the notes he is playing. This was his vocal warm-ups to get ready to record or do a show put to music. 🎶🎤👍❤️🎶

I bought Moving Waves when it first was released and have watched dozens of KZfaq videos of this performance. The reactions always make me laugh. For me, it's one of the great live performances ever.

The normal speed version is actually a very good song, I have been listening to this on Classic Rock radio since the 70's, always brings on a smile.

Wow! This song was crazy. I have been watching your reactions for over a year now and this is the first song you've done that I hadn't already heard. In fact I never even heard of the group. Without this channel I probably never would have either. Thanks.

ive never seen a song bring so much joy to peoples faces and lives

I was in high school when this came out. Knew what was coming so watching your reaction was beyond priceless. Laughing tears of joy made my weekend!

He wasn't twitching so much as warming up. By the way your expression was priceless. Have you listened to Black Coffee by Humble Pie yet? I think you'd love it.

My friend the summer before his Junior spent about 10 hours a day learning every song on Focus live and Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow every song to perfection. That is how I found out about this band. Great musicians and Jan such a brilliant guitarist. Everyone in the band is technically amazing. Drummer killing it!

BP I was waiting for the look on your face. lol

Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in Amsterdam in 1969 by keyboardist, vocalist, and flautist Thijs van Leer, drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Martijn Dresden, and guitarist Jan Akkerman. The band has 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. They have sold one million RIAA-certified albums in the United States. (per Wikipedia)

The very first standing ovation at the Mid Night Special

High speed insanity. No words, just great music.

In the words of Monty Python.."and now, for something completely different." I was 22 in 1973 and well into music and this is the first time I that that I've ever heard this.

The lady that introduced them was Gladys Knight from Gladys Knight & the Pips. I'm sure you have heard of her. One of her famous songs was Leaving on a Midnight Train to Georgia. I loved The Yodeling part of this singer and the band was really good with the instruments. I don't know if this group had any other music or how long they stayed relevant in the times but I'll look into it. When I was a kid I use to watch this show and I got to see a lot of these acts but I was just a kid then so I don't recall anything about what I saw being I'm 60 years old now. I do remember Wolfman Jack and use to listen to him a lot.

Your facial expressions were priceless! Much like everyone who hears this for the first time.

Absolutely love watching reactions when your mind is blown!!!!!

My Dad saw them at The Queens Hotel in Westcliff England in 72, i was brought up on music like this. Amazing stuff

I remember in the summer of 1973 hearing this and Edgar Winters Frankenstein get played on the radio. Great summer to cruise around !

The Dutch music scene at that time was incredible. Focus was not the only one.

The guitarist is amazing!

Thijs Van Leer is STILL PERFORMING at 76 years old. I remember when this [ and their other huge hit “Sylvia “ were on the Rock radio stations [ well, one, anyway. KSHE-95, St.Louis was at that time , listed as “Album Rock”.]📻🙂

BEST REACTION VIDEO EVER!!!

When the offer came to appear on NBC’s variety show The Midnight Special on October 5, 1973, Focus frontman Thijs van Leer wanted to make the most of the opportunity. Focus were up against stiff competition - guest-hosted by Gladys Knight, the episode featured her singing with her backing group "The Pips", BB King plus Earth, Wind and Fire. Focus had touched on the concept of playing Hocus Pocus stupidly fast, at the end of 1972 during an appearance on UK show The Old Grey Whistle Test, and it had helped lead to an explosion of new interest. Hoping for a similar result, van Leer wanted to go right over the top on The Midnight Special. It worked, as you saw in the video. 😊 Describing his solo sequences as “gags,” van Leer reflected: “A part of it is humor, but it’s not just mine, and it’s all musical humor.” He revealed what he thought was the song’s secret weapon: “People called it an instrumental song but it’s actually a vocal song - only we’re not singing, ‘I love you, I need you.’”

Brother, I have watched a LOT of reactions to this epic performance, but this just might be my favorite!! 😂😂 Your bewilderment was pure gold! You made my day! 😂

I remember jamming to this while driving when I was in High School in the eighties!

Loved your reaction- thanks. This is a Dutch Progressive Rock band. The guitar player, Jan Akkerman, was considered to be one of the top guitarist during that time period. The front man is Thijs Van Leer and is still touring a lot on cruise ships. If you are looking for some information on them, check out the comment to this on Jayvee TV reaction channel (heart warming story about Thijs Van Leer's family and upbringing that is amazing). Thijs and his daughter do leave comments on reactions to this once in a while.

Most entertaining, "mind blown" reaction I've seen to this! Love it

Your expressions cracked me up. Another band I grew up with. 8 track quad The 70s rock !

For another oddball band, I go for "They Might Be Giants." They're a duo that have been putting out music since 1981, and well, when it comes to weird, they've always been there. With songs like "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," "Particle Man," "I Palindrome I," "She was a (Hotel Detective)," "Put your hand inside the Puppet Head," and many, many other strange tunes. They're still around and making new music.

Thijs van Leer also works with Arjen and Ayreon. " Into the Electric Castle "

Dude, 1973 was an amazing year in music. Deep Purple Machine Head, Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, BTO, on and on...

It's like a fever dream

Yep, Thijs van Leer is an alien! He also played with Ayreon. Legendary band. Half a century ago!!!! But still performing. As is the drummer and the guitar player, Jan Akkerman, who was voted "best guitar player of the world". Well, they were ahead of their time, and made timeless music. 50 years later they still blow everyone's mind who's listening to this for the first time. Isn't that genius? The Netherlands is an amazing melting pot where fantastic music is composed untill present days.

They are on tour in the US in July. One of their biggest hits was Sylvia.

In the 70s, there were very few rules. And we ignored the rules that did exist.

Since you enjoyed this, now you should check out Johnny Winter's Frankenstein, video. You'll love that, too Much love from Maine and keep doin what ya do ❤

Dude back in high school we used to get high and listen to this it was outrageous! we would just laugh our asses off for days!!!