Jan Akkerman

Jan Akkerman, born in Amsterdam in 1946, is a Dutch guitarist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Focus, with whom he scored 1970s hits such as "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia". In 1973 readers of Melody Maker voted him best guitarist, ahead of John McLaughlin, Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore. After his time with Focus he pursued a solo career blending rock, jazz, blues and classical music. He received the Gouden Harp in 2005 and was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2012.