Focus (band)

Van der Linden had been the drummer during the band's most successful period during the early 1970's. They have since decided to continue performing and recording together. In October 2004 Pierre van der Linden took over on drums. In 2001, they released an album of new material entitled "God Bless the Go-Go's". In 2001 Thijs van Leer re-formed Focus with Jan Dumée (guitar), Bobby Jacobs (bass) and Bert Smaak (drums) and recorded a new album called Focus 8. In 1990, Wiedlin organized a reunion that began with a benefit for PETA, and again in 1994, when they released Return of the Valley of the Go-Go's. In 1985 Van Leer and Akkerman reunited for an unsuccessful Focus album. Charlotte Caffey worked with Carlisle and then formed a band called the Graces for Perfect View (1990 in music).

In 1976 Jan Akkerman left the band, which finally dissolved in 1978. Belinda Carlisle had a successful solo career for most of the late 1980s, while Wiedlin did some recording and acting. The musical egos of Van Leer and Akkerman proved incompatible. After the drug treatment, neither could continue with the band anymore; Jane Wiedlin had previously departed. The latter also featured some eccentric vocalisations and yodeling. In 1985, Caffey underwent treatment to rid herself of the heroin habit, and Carlisle followed suit. The band's biggest international hits were the guitar-based instrumentals "Sylvia" and "Hocus Pocus" (The title may have been a deliberate joke on DJs: "That was Hocus Pocus by Focus"). In 1983, a videotape surfaced showing Carlisle and Valentine at a post-gig party at which both were inebriated and uninhibited.

In 1971 the group released their second album, Moving Waves, which received international acclaim. Around 1983, Carlisle had a $300-a-day cocaine habit, and Caffey had a heroin habit. Guitarist Jan Akkerman joined the band in 1970. Rumor has it that what did in the band was excessive hedonism and drug abuse. It was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969 and leaned heavily on two of the Netherlands' contemporary music's heavyweights, Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman. In 1985 (1985 in music) the band broke up. Focus was a Dutch progressive rock band of the 1970s. 1984 saw a return to critical acceptance with the album Talk Show, but sales were poor.

Sylvia. The follow-up, however, Vacation, sold well but quickly ran out of momentum. Hocus Pocus. "Our Lips Are Sealed" and a new version of "We Got the Beat" were extremely popular singles. After exchanging Olaverra for Kathy Valentine (the band's sound was turning from punk to pop, and Olaverra's punk persona was becoming a pop liability), the Go-Go's signed to IRS Records and released Beauty and the Beat, which was a surprise hit and topped the charts for six weeks. In 1980 (1980 in music), the Go-Gos' "We Got the Beat" became an underground hit.

They have had five top-40 hits. They played primarily pop punk and retro-1960s rock. They formed in 1978 and first rose to fame in the ska punk community supporting Madness on tour. The Go-Go's are an all-women band.

Jane Wiedlin, rhythm guitar and backup vocals. Kathy Valentine (replaced Margot Olaverra in 1980), bass guitar and rhythm guitar. Gina Schock, drums. Belinda Carlisle (real name: Belinda Kurczeski), lead vocals.

Charlotte Caffey, lead guitar and keyboards.