Jan Akkerman

Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946) is a Dutch guitarist. In 1973 Akkerman was chosen Best Guitarist Of The World by the readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker. However, he has not been included in Rolling Stone's list of the

Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946) is a Dutch guitarist. In 1973 Akkerman was chosen Best Guitarist Of The World by the readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker. However, he has not been included in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, for unfathomable reasons -psychiatrists might blame xenophobia. In the 1970s, with Thijs van Leer he formed the core of the Dutch symphonic rock band Focus.

Akkerman was born in the 'de Jordaan' area of Amsterdam, the son of a scrap iron trader, which made him dislike the sound of Heavy Metal for the rest of his career. At age five he took guitar lessons, at the age of fourteen his first single was released. He was a member of Johnny and The Cellar Rockers, The Hunters and Brainbox, and joined the Thijs van Leer Trio late 1969. They continued under the name Focus and scored a few world hits in the seventies. In 1976 Akkerman left the band and started a solo career. The reunion with Thijs van Leer in 1985 turned out to be unsuccessful, but despite that Akkerman produced several albums. At the same time he was active as session musician with André Hazes and others. Furthermore he played with Alan Price, Herman Brood, Peter Banks, Charlie Byrd, Ice-T and BB King.