What do you do when you write a 7-minute song, and the TV show says you have 4 minutes? Do it twice as fast. This was legendary.
@twwtjohns
Жыл бұрын
The group played the song faster than usual because they were restricted by the TV time allowed.
@Alex-dh2cx
Жыл бұрын
It's still my favorite version, I love that they said no to cutting away a part of the song and just sped it up
@michelelaraia7358
Жыл бұрын
From Holland. 50 years now
@BROU-bb2uc
Жыл бұрын
The only standing ovation ever on Midnight Special.
@EvilSean62
4 ай бұрын
also compared to the rap at the time probs the fastest glottal transitions
@HRConsultant_Jeff
Жыл бұрын
One of the great guitarist who influenced so many European players. One of the first shredders and using jazz progressions in the mix- Jan Akkerman
@HollowGolem
Жыл бұрын
"What if rock, but also, sweep picking?"
@HRConsultant_Jeff
Жыл бұрын
@@HollowGolem yeah he was doing that while playing in scales I am still trying to figure out.
@marcusfranconium3392
Жыл бұрын
@@HRConsultant_Jeff One of the first technical guitar players , even Brian May was inspired by him and admited that he failed several times playing this song.
@hermansohier7643
11 ай бұрын
Even FrankZappa wanted Jan Akkerman in his band .
@synthonaplinth5980
10 ай бұрын
The there was Allan Holdsworth....
@carollittle1059
Жыл бұрын
WOW!! this guy's vocal octaves are insane!!
@sixslinger9951
Жыл бұрын
for early 70s, that guitar player is shredding like few others could.
@erikv2766
7 ай бұрын
You might know the guy, Akkermans used to be more appraised then Clapton I remember in the old days.
@mariaportengen2959
Жыл бұрын
Focus has so many great hits. Great guitar player : Jan Akkerman. A great Dutch band. Greetings from the Netherlands. 🎸🎸🎸🎶🎶👍
@christopheroverend1516
Жыл бұрын
That guy could shred before shredders existed. Respect to the Dutch, my favourite people as a nation 🇬🇧 🇳🇱
@danielswood
Жыл бұрын
Gladys Knight as in her and her brothers, 'the Pips', as in Midnight train to Georgia and many other songs - amazing vocalist. Also, hats off to the joy of Hocus Pocus' Focus! Thanks for your reaction. 😄
@YepItsMeLily
Жыл бұрын
yeah that was gladys knight at the start lmao and yeah focus are an incredible dutch band, the guitarist jan akkerman one of the greats! also with this performance they had to speed the song up in order to fit the whole song in the limited time slot they had to perform on the show so really the song is a bit longer/slower but this is so good i love this performance
@andybunyan452
Жыл бұрын
This is without doubt the finest reaction vid for this tune. Well done gents for embracing it!!!
@francesthompson593
Жыл бұрын
They where a Dutch group, very talented!
@lammertklaas
Жыл бұрын
HUP HOLLAND!
@Jaggedknife11
Жыл бұрын
oooo im so glad you guys are watching this. i remember being shown this vid by a friend in highschool and being blown away. Focus' guitarist Jan Akkerman was way ahead of his time using advanced techniques like sweep picking and having one of the earliest signature guitars made for him by a German guitar company in the 70s.
@geneticrex
Жыл бұрын
That show required bands to shorten their songs in order to fit in the given time slot. In an entertaining move, this band decided to play the entire song at warp speed instead of chopping it up. The recorded version is way less hectic.
@bigchris757
Жыл бұрын
If you were to listen to the album version, the live is so much faster,because they only had a small amount to play on the show, so they sped the song up. Saturday Night Special was awesome, so many different acts.
@HenritheHorse
Жыл бұрын
This is the best version of the song. The album version is too slow and boring.
@bigchris757
Жыл бұрын
@@HenritheHorse I like both
@jimtatro6550
Жыл бұрын
This is a genius performance, goofy but incredibly difficult
@kilroyart
5 ай бұрын
one of the Greatest Reactions I've Ever Seen!!!!!!!
@jahrolo
Жыл бұрын
As far as I know, they had to play the song twice as fast as it was supposed to be played because of time issues in the show :D
@scgreek1114
Жыл бұрын
This 50-year old song was very popular and got plenty of radio play when it was first released. We really liked stuff that was unique. The studio version is slower and a little easier to listen to. The live version was sped up to confirm to the shorter play time required by most TV shows.
@spiral2358
Жыл бұрын
this song is fire. and to think it came out in '73
@jujulionesselsa1416
Жыл бұрын
The legendary one and only 'Focus'. I am their loyal fan 🤩
@muzzap21
Жыл бұрын
Need to do "Edgar winter group" - "Frankenstien" live on the old grey whistle test! 👌❤️
@Proud.American58
Жыл бұрын
Said the same thing @muzzap21. Great minds think alike!!!
@simply_psi
Жыл бұрын
Once they have hit Frankenstien they should hit up Tobacco Road by Edgar Winter too that is also fire.
@faithnyou1732
Жыл бұрын
I love watching reactions to this, and they always make me laugh. You guys are the best so far! I was in HS when this came out. The original audio version of this is about half this speed. Midnight Special asked Focus if they could do this at a faster pace because of program time constraints, so they did. The slower version is still a decent pace, but it's way better than this version. "Hocus Pocus" was a huge hit when it was released in 1970. Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1969 by keyboardist, vocalist, and flutist Thijs van Leer. The band disbanded in 1978. Great reaction guys! Thanks! ✌💙✌
@tvoost7296
Жыл бұрын
Well, they reunited als still perform! The keyboard player is still in the band.
@acemodez3169
Жыл бұрын
I heard they were asked to shorten the song, and Focus had a better idea, hence this well deserved standing ovation performance
@shellie3001
Жыл бұрын
They crack me up too. Crying, laughing at this!!
@Proud.American58
Жыл бұрын
Me too! I graduated in 1975. I think about the “Free Bird” live video from Oakland in 1977 and can’t imagine how that crowd are now Grandma’s and Grandpa’s !!!!
@PGLAMB1978
Жыл бұрын
@@tvoost7296 they don't have the heart of the band without the keyboard guy.
@wendyt7958
Жыл бұрын
Talk about an incredible vocal range! This band was so talented and ahead of their time. Love them and still listen to them. Yo gotta listen to their studio stuff. The Moving Waves album is incredible. Great reaction guys. BY the way, the announcer is Gladys Knight an amazing vocalist
@michelelaraia7358
Жыл бұрын
Which few pays attention to.
@gogriz3591
Жыл бұрын
The only Midnight Special standing Ovation EVER
@colinmcgregor6890
Жыл бұрын
unique ,original ,bizarre, weird ,hilarious,fun
@tazzieflats
Жыл бұрын
HEY from HOLLAND...(yep the Netherlands)YOU'RE REACTION WAS 🔥HILARIOUS!!!🔥🤣👍🏻🧯 😜👌 THANKS you GUY'S...Cheers from this Dutch girl 😉
@kdm71291
Жыл бұрын
Outstanding musicians!
@mamaflush9945
Жыл бұрын
Here's another suggestion that's a bit different "Crowd Sings Bohemian Rhapsody [Live in Hyde Park 2017]" if you enjoy queen then you will love this video. (Impressive) this was so creative, back in the day. I don't know how anyone couldn't see the talent this band demonstrated from the instrumentals to the yodeling, whistling, and clever flute playing, an all-round fun tune. Thanks for sharing🎶👍
@kimzwolinski9919
Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 I love how y’all just went with it. Great reaction ❤
@michelelaraia7358
Жыл бұрын
And the sole standing ovation from the public!
@theoderich1168
5 ай бұрын
This recording will still make people happy 50 years from now....
@paulrosenberg4227
Жыл бұрын
The musicianship for this chaos is incredible! Always great to see folks react to the yodelshredbeatfest!
@alnitak2044
Жыл бұрын
This has got to be one of my favorite reactions that I've seen so far. Cartier Family, you guys rock! Keep em coming ;)
@AccioPadfoot12
Жыл бұрын
I've heard this song since 1973 but never watched it live before - wow, the skills involved! Thanks for sharing your reaction. I was bouncing around like the dude in the back too!
@Jimmehftw
10 ай бұрын
"Oh yeah, he different" couldn't have said it better.
@saoirseblue5353
Жыл бұрын
One of the best group ever!!!❤❤❤
@carollittle1059
Жыл бұрын
Punk rock group from the Netherlands. The yodeling, the flute, the whistling!!
@rmyikzelf5604
Жыл бұрын
They were not punk at all. They were symphonic rock par excellence. All highly capable musicians. Otherwise they would not have been able to perform this at almost twice the speed of the original album version. Listen to Sylvia or the original of this, and you'll see they were anything but punk.
@havennet49
Жыл бұрын
OMG this is the first time I've ever heard this song and watching you all react to it and all your facial expressions had me on the floor HAHA
@biondipepe
11 ай бұрын
Can you imagine guys when I heard for the first time this song back in 1974? After 50 years don't realize the impact of these guys back then
@patriciaryan1716
Жыл бұрын
Some of the best live performances on The Midnight Special show. You should check out Jethro Tull if ya wanna see some electric flute thrown into some good 70's rock.
@ks4isu
Жыл бұрын
When I was a kid, I always liked when this song came on FM radio. I had no idea how frenetic the lead singer was.
@timholder6825
Жыл бұрын
That was the legendary Gladys Knight introducing them.
@lizakyes7549
5 ай бұрын
I’ve seen this so many times but I HAD to watch it with you guys!!!
@bmboytx7082
Жыл бұрын
Got to agree with another comment about "crowd sings Bohemian Rhapsody ". It was a Green Day concert and before the band came onstage there was music playing on the PA system, and when Bohemian Rhapsody came on the entire crowd sang every word and note. It's incredible!!!!
@scottkeeler2306
9 ай бұрын
Exactly how me and my friends responded to this in 1973. I still haven’t wiped the smile off my face.
@spiritualhammer392
Жыл бұрын
This is some good music! Crazy stuff! Enjoy all your vids!
@frankbianchi88
8 күн бұрын
Truly amazing to experience this in 1973 and still great ...
@lammertklaas
Жыл бұрын
Saw this band live in a venue in Leeuwarden (The Netherlands) with my dad 6 years ago. AMAZING!
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
Well Done Guys for that reaction to those Dutch Masters. The Organist is still playing in his 70's now. I saw them around this year of 1973 in South East London. They had one other big UK hit with "Sylvia" and did many other songs but none like this. Others have ,probably,told you,that this was a 7 minute song but they were only given a 4 minute slot hence the speed that they played:)
@toddstevens13
Жыл бұрын
The drummer Pierre van der Linden has also rejoined a while back and they just released FOCUS 50, for their 50th Anniversary. Give it a listen.
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
@@toddstevens13 Thanks Todd..
@extraSNUFFY
Жыл бұрын
At the time there were 2 great late night music shows Don Kirshners in Concert and this show Midnight Special. Some great performances on both
@charlenetherrien3788
Жыл бұрын
Midnight Special NEVER gave standing Os. But they got one!
@charlottemclain2752
Жыл бұрын
Loved watching you guys react to this. It was probably how I reacted when I first heard it way back in 1973.
@EricvanDorp007
13 күн бұрын
Great reaction and greetzzz from the country where this song came from…
@ronnyseffinga7950
Жыл бұрын
i follow this band for 50 yrs. now..... and shared your reaction to the Nightdreamers Reacticide Discord (Nightwish).... pls note that they had to speed up this song, because they didnt wanted to shorten the song because of stupid American commercials.... grts from a dutch cheesehead, living in Germany.... btw.... no drugs were harmed prior to this performance !!
@Cormac2023
Жыл бұрын
I can't believe you guys reviewed this band and this song, because back when this came out, I was a kid, in Junior High School. I had the album. Crazy shit! I'm pretty sure that guy was a Meth addict. I could be wrong though.
@Alxmir23
Жыл бұрын
the tv station told them they didnt have much time to play their song( which was somewhat long) so they decided to troll them and have fun by playing it on turbo
@quasidiem99
Жыл бұрын
I love this song.
@tvoost7296
Жыл бұрын
Nike even used this song in a very long soccer commercial. Easy to find on KZitem. Check it out!
@sst3d
Жыл бұрын
A+ the back story is that song was 7 (give or take) minutes on the radio…Midnight Special had a 4 minute limit for each act…these guys did it double time…to fit in the slot
@morgoth1136
Жыл бұрын
Love your reactions, you guys should react to Pink Floyd Echoes - Live at Pompeii
@michaeloshea3090
Жыл бұрын
Oh my God! I'm 62 years old and I still go nuts over this song! I remember the first time I heard it, but now when I go nuts with this song I throw my back out !!!
@bradleyfinnearty8209
Жыл бұрын
The 70s were a great time for music. The bands made it about the music and not the commercialism of it. The music was the only thing that made that era worth living in.
@muzzap21
Жыл бұрын
Rolling Stones rock and roll circus has some good performances! Dirty mac - Yer Blues! Great solo from Clapton! 👌❤️
@Bubba_Castle1
Жыл бұрын
so glad you guys got to see this. Love this song. Great content, keep it up
@ZDHTJ
Жыл бұрын
I LOOOOVVVE HOCUS POCUS BY FOCUS!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤
@joannaburchell7131
4 ай бұрын
The Guy at the back in the Grey Hoodie Bloody Priceless ❤
@kerrib1474
Жыл бұрын
I remember that being on the radio all the time. I had forgotten about this song. What a childhood flashback !
@carolebuckle7977
Жыл бұрын
This was a hit in the UK, you guys are hilarious 😂 funny 😆👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇬🇧xx
@michaelboley4428
Жыл бұрын
That was Gladis Knight that introduced them.Tae you nailed it that was the LSD days . You guys should see the crazy world of Arthur Brown song Fire. That’s the freaky deeky Dutch.
@charleswinokoor6023
Жыл бұрын
It was a very unique and technically difficult song. And this live version was a lot faster than the original studio version.
@jodimae5793
Жыл бұрын
The woman who introduced them is the legend, Gladys Knight! (and the pips) My cousins and I used to air jam to this when it first came out. We would e ven do the yodeling! Idk what else they did, honestly.... but you HAD to experience this one! Too funny!! 👍
@scoobysnacks
Жыл бұрын
They performed this song, which is actually much longer, in double time, in order to fit it into the time allowed by the television studio.
@d2d2d28
Жыл бұрын
Always fun to watch reactions to this song - but your reactions were some of the best!
@johngammon7891
Жыл бұрын
Love your reactions You should check out Edgar and Johnny Winter Tobacco Road live version, legally blind albino brothers from Texas couldn't play sports so they learned to play music Johnny's voice was one of the instruments, he'll take ya to Church...fact!
@ajruther67
Жыл бұрын
Another Amazing Instrumental from the 1970's Edgar winter group" - "Frankenstien" *LIVE* on the old grey whistle test
@j0hnn13K
Жыл бұрын
The legendary queen herself, Gladys Knight, and for Dutch people equally legendary band Focus have been entertaining us for over 50 years. The original song is slower and therefor longer, the band was asked to find a way to cut the song a bit due to time restraint, the band said "Nope, we'll just play it faster" and this performance is the result, true musicianship right there. Another fun thing to know, Jan Akkerman the guitarist, was voted best guitarist in the world twice (i believe) during a time when the guitar gods were around, he's one hell of a guitarist.
@lumin3370
Жыл бұрын
Love that you guys love this! Next up try Edgar Winters *Frankenstein* 🔥
@BellaEntertainmentAtlanta
Жыл бұрын
Dutch Scandinavian rock of Europe.... wild crazy and you have to look if ya want to or not ... enjoy
@GJH1010
8 ай бұрын
One of the hardest sounds for 1970
@renekuipers4563
Жыл бұрын
Jan Akkerman the best gitar player off the world 1978...
@sepuste
Ай бұрын
1973
@danw2276
Жыл бұрын
speed that tune up almost 2 times to get it on tv and damn it rocked and was FUN
@tracithomas6543
Жыл бұрын
Just discovered your channel last night whilst watching your reaction to Procol Harum’s live performance in Denmark of Whiter Shade of Pale - Great reaction, to that and this one, y’all! In ‘66, my mom (now 81) discovered Progressive Rock after only knowing DooWop and Motown, and Focus is one of her favourite groups - she says I was listening to bands such as Focus, Pink Floyd, Johnny and Edgar Winter (and his two bands - The Edgar Winter Group; White Trash), Moody Blues, Rare Earth/Peter Rivera, Procol Harum, etc. Eruption (from the album Moving Waves) is a vibe - hauntingly beautiful and eerie it’s definitely worth checking out, but the piece’s overall tone/mood and its lengthy run time, it’s one to listen to when you’re by yourself or in a small, chill group. Looking forward to checking out more of your reactions! Cheers from The ATL.
@zigman63
Жыл бұрын
I was 10 when this came out,my dad bought the Single and I remember when him and my mum went shopping, I used to sneak into the front room and blast it out on my dad's stereo.
@samantharose1144
Жыл бұрын
LOVE THE KILL BILL POSTER🖤💛
@kidwave1
5 ай бұрын
Impossible not to experience the energy they are putting out.
@andrewpetik2034
11 ай бұрын
3:20 Thijs' face makes me smile...every....single....time! 💪✌️
@rafehr1378
Жыл бұрын
Damn. Is the right word. Love these guys
@tarrasams7423
Жыл бұрын
This reaction was fun to watch👏😊
@JACKnJESUS
Жыл бұрын
First concert I ever went to...follow band was Spirit...great night.
@IYAMNI
Жыл бұрын
That was Gladys Knight introducing the band. She was top of the charts back then with 'Midnight Train To Georgia'. Ya'll should check that one out. And btw Hocus Pocus is the only song like that on the Focus album "Moving Waves" The rest of the ablum is some serious 70s era prog fusion jamming. The guitarist Jan Akkerman was a top notch hero for a while.
@krisfox3537
7 күн бұрын
I remember hearing this for the first time in the early 70's. My buddy bought this album and played this song for the first time at a party in his house. There were about 12 of us there. And when the song was over we all looked at each other ( much like you guys did) wondering what the f was that!? Pretty cool.
@toddstevens13
Жыл бұрын
First and Only Full Standing Ovation in the 9 years of The Midnight Special. TMS was an institution. At the time there was no where else in the World to see Bands play live other then in Concert. From 1230am until 2am Friday night University Parties shut down and they and High School Students crowded around the TV, to watch the Best and the Newest Bands let it rip.
@todderickson2435
Жыл бұрын
My man in the back was vibin'!! Great reaction gentlemen!
@deeberwill51
Жыл бұрын
That beautiful lady introducing Focus is none other than the incomparable Gladys Knight. NOTE; like others have said, check out The Edgar Winters Band performing "Frankenstein" GOTTA BE THE LIVE VERSION FROM "The Old Grey Whistle Test!!!!. Thanks, Love you guys!
@RossWrock
Жыл бұрын
Y'all killing me. That ain't Oprah. That is Gladys Knight (as is of "The Pips"). You should listen to her "Midnight Train to Georgia."
@bobschenkel7921
Жыл бұрын
Just knew it would get you guys excited. How could it not? I remember watching this in 1973 on The Midnight Special, with Ms. Gladys Knight doing the hosting duties. The actual studio version is about six minutes long, but had to be sped up due to TV time limits.
@Paul_Allaker8450
11 ай бұрын
One of the best uses of this song was the car chase scene of Baby Driver. This was played faster than the album version as they only had a 4mins slot, so their solution was to play a 7min song at a faster tempo. Legends.
@jmanganella123
Жыл бұрын
The vocal guy was warning up his facial muscles for the performance. This is faster than the original version. A good site to find out what sing meanings are is called song facts.... great reaction I was busting a gut .....
@jhamler1
Жыл бұрын
The MC was Gladys Knight for chrissakes! Anyway, yeah that was batshit crazy. You guys are up for anything and I love it!
@deeberwill51
Жыл бұрын
Speaking of Gladys knight you will love her performance of "Neither One Of Us" along with The Pips LIVE on SOUL TRAIN (so you can see her in all her glory and with her natural hair). You will straight up fall in love with her (if you have not already)!
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