From Guitar World · · 2m
Jan Akkerman: Prog Guitar Legend's Journey from Focus to B.B. King
Jan Akkerman's guitar career spans decades, blending jazz, classical, and rock with B.B. King.
In brief
Jan Akkerman's guitar career spans decades, blending jazz, classical, and rock with B.B. King. Jan Akkerman, a Dutch guitarist, created influential prog rock with Focus, later collaborating with B.B. King and overcoming a serious injury. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Jan Akkerman's Early Life
Born in the Netherlands in 1946, Akkerman played accordion through his formative years and studied at Amsterdam Music Lyceum.
Focus Band Formation
Akkerman formed Focus in the early 1970s, blending jazz, classical, blues, and hard rock into a unique sound.
Focus II: Moving Waves
Focus II, released in 1971, became a landmark prog rock album with the hit song Hocus Pocus.
Hocus Pocus Song Origin
Akkerman created Hocus Pocus after listening to the Beatles' White Album and experimenting with yodeling.
Guitar Gear Evolution
Akkerman used a Gretsch White Falcon, Telecaster, and later a 1954 Les Paul Black Beauty for his recordings.
B.B. King Collaboration
Akkerman worked with B.B. King, calling it 'learning a new language, one which makes you wiser, though not luckier'.
“Working with a guy like B.B. King was like learning a new language, one which makes you wiser, though not luckier”
Car Accident Recovery
A 1992 car accident left Akkerman with a broken back, requiring over a year of rehabilitation before returning to music.
Solo Career Highlights
Akkerman released solo albums like Eli and experimented with guitar synths and collaborations with B.B. King.
Focus Reunion Thoughts
Akkerman stated a Focus reunion is tempting but not necessary, as life involves 'one risk after another'.
Current Projects
Akkerman is working on a new studio album with no title yet and has two live recordings released.
Musical Influences
Akkerman was influenced by John Coltrane, Django Reinhardt, and the Beatles' White Album during his early career.
Guitar Tone Secret
Akkerman's secret for guitar tone is 'purity of sound and balance', using bridge pickup full and neck pickup as volume pot.
Sylvia Song Creation
Akkerman created Sylvia by adding a second guitar part for a Doppler effect, taking only five minutes to record.
Eruption Album Impact
The 15-part suite Eruption was a 'liberation' for Akkerman, blending jazz, rock, and classical influences.
Later Career Experiments
Akkerman added guitar synths and drum machines in the 1980s, creating sounds like a cow's 'moo' on guitar.
Current Musical Focus
Akkerman continues to create music, emphasizing 'new music is an open field' with no fixed genre.
The key point
Jan Akkerman, a Dutch guitarist, created influential prog rock with Focus, later collaborating with B.B. King and overcoming a serious injury.
