The guys in Focus were jamming in a small BBC studio in the heart of Television Centre, rehearsing for their first appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test. It was 12th December 1972, The atmosphere was great, very light-hearted and enjoyable as the band rehearsed its set. They decided to play 'Sylvia', 'Anonymous II' and 'Hocus Pocus', with a seasonal slant. Instead of following the usual pattern of the vocal breaks, This launched into a mock-serious yodelling version of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas...’ building up to that top falsetto with a heart-rending ‘And a Happy New Yeeeeeaaaaarrr...’, tailing off into Jan’s million miles an hour guitar playing. The performance was an absolute sensation. People had never seen anything quite like them before.

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E15

Series 2, Episode 15

December 19, 1972

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E16

Boxing Day Compilation

December 26, 1972

Alice Cooper: Under My Wheels Dion / Runaround Sue David Bowie: Queen Bitch Ten Wheel Drive: The Night I Got Out of Jail The Beach Boys: You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone Steve Miller Band: Living in the USA Vinegar Joe: Rusty Red Armour Carole King and Merry Clayton: Oh No Not My Baby Curtis Mayfield: Keep On Keeping On Mick Jagger: Interview The Rolling Stones: Tumbling Dice Poco: Just For Me and You The Beatles: Some Other Guy Roxy Music: Ladytron Stevie Wonder: Interview Janis Ian: He’s A Rainbow Jerry Lee Lewis: Think About It Darlin’ Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge: Help Me Make it Through the Night

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E17

Genesis

January 2, 1973

Hammersmith, England, Old Grey Whistle Test, "Willow Farm"

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E18

J Geils Band / Joan Armatrading / David Geffen / Captain Beefheart / Barclay James Harvest / Exuma

January 9, 1973

J. Geils Band: Looking for a Love / Floyds Hotel Joan Armatrading: Child Star / Give it a Try David Geffen interview Captain Beefheart : Some Yo Yo Stuff (filmfinders) Barclay James Harvest: Thank You (Marquee film) Exuma: Baby Let Me In (filmfinders)

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E19

Series 2, Episode 19

March 16, 1973

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E20

Roberta Flack / Mike Absalom / The Rolling Stones / Frank Zappa

January 23, 1973

Roberta Flack: Sonny and Sister Joy / I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer Mike Absalom: Hector the Dope Sniffing Hound / Saga of WPC Sadie Stick The Rolling Stones: Happy, All Down The Line (concert clips) Frank Zappa: Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus (filmfinders clip)

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E21

The Who / Claire Hammill / Shawn Phillips / Status Quo

January 30, 1973

The Who: The Relay / Long Live Rock Claire Hammill: The Artist / Please Stay Tonight Shawn Phillips Status Quo: Don’t Waste My Time (Marquee film)

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E22

Sharks

February 6, 1973

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E23

Rory Gallagher / Duncan Browne / Bette Midler / Loggins & Messina

February 13, 1973

Rory Gallagher: Hands Off / Walk on Hot Coals Duncan Browne: Ragged Rain Life / My Old Friends Bette Midler interview Loggins & Messina: Your Mama Don't Dance (promo)

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E24

Strawbs / Judee Sill

February 20, 1973

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E25

Tony McPhee / Tassavallan / Donovan / Mickie Most / Country Joe MacDonald

February 27, 1973

Tony S McPhee: Write Me a Few Short Lines / Me and the Devil Tassavallan: Presidenti Lounge Donovan: Cosmic Wheels (film) / interview Mickie Most interview Country Joe MacDonald

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E26

Argent / Shawn Phillips / Sha Na Na / Roy Buchanan

March 6, 1973

Argent: God Gave Rock ’n’ Roll to You / It’s Only Money Shawn Phillips: I Took A Walk / Lady Of The Blue Rose Sha Na Na: Rock N Roll is Here To Stay (Crystal Palace, London clip) Roy Buchanan: Them Changes / After Hours (Madison Square Garden, New York, 1972 clip)

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E27

Roger Daltrey / John Martyn / John Lennon & Yoko Ono / Edgar Winter Band

March 13, 1973

Roger Daltrey: Giving It All Away / One Man Band John Martyn: May You Never / I’d Rather Be The Devil John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Move On Fast (from ‘One to One’ concert) Edgar Winter Band: Heavy (concert clip)

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E28

Humble Pie / Ry Cooder / Led Zeppelin / Deliverance

March 20, 1973

Humble Pie: Black Coffee / Twist and Shout Ry Cooder: Goin’ To Brownsville / Vigilante Man / interview Led Zeppelin: No Quarter (filmfinders) Deliverance : Dueling Banjos (film clip)

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E29

Episode 29

March 27, 1973

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E30

Roxy Music

April 3, 1973

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E31

Episode 31

April 10, 1973

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E32

Episode 32

April 17, 1973

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E33

Birtha / John David Southern

April 24, 1973

Birtha: I Can't Stop The Madness John David Southern: How Long / Doolin’ Dalton vintage Motown clips of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

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E34

The Wailers

May 1, 1973

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E35

Yes: Live in Concert

May 1, 1973

Yes, live in Concert at the Rainbow Theatre, Dec 1972. And You and I / Clap / Roundabout / Yours is no Disgrace / Wurm

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E36

Alaquin

May 8, 1973

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E37

American Blues Legends Live in Concert

May 8, 1973

Homesick James: Louisiana Blues Snooky Pryor: Do the Boogie Woogie Boogie Woogie Red: Hello Little Girl Washboard Willie - Love You Baby 24 Hours a Day Whispering Smith - Never Leave me Baby Lightnin’ Slim - Too Much Monkey Business

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E38

Roy Bucchanan

May 15, 1973

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E39

Leon Russell / BB King

May 15, 1973

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E40

Nazareth / Harvey Andrews / Camel / The Eagles / Del Shannon

May 22, 1973

Nazareth: Bad Boy / Vigilante Man Harvey Andrews: Friend Of Mine / For My Father Camel: Never Let Go (promo) The Eagles: Outlaw Man (filmfinders) Del Shannon interview

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E41

Cream

May 29, 1973

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E42

Episode 42

June 5, 1973

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E43

Focus: Live in Concert

June 5, 1973

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E44

John Entwistle - Kevin Ayers - Slick & Kanter - Seals & Crofts

June 12, 1973

John Entwistle - Peg Leg Peggy / My Wife Kevin Ayers: Shouting in a Bucket Blues / Oh Wot A Dream Slick & Kanter interview Seals & Crofts: Dust On My Saddle (film)

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E45

Terry Reid - Del Shannon - Strider - Mike Oldfield - Pete Sinfield

June 19, 1973

Terry Reid: Without Expression / Live Life Del Shannon - Louise Kelly Strider: Higher & Higher (promo) Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (promo) Pete Sinfield: Still (promo)

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E46

Episode 46

July 10, 1973

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E47

Edgar Winter Group / Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee / Alan Hull

July 17, 1973

Edgar Winter Group: Frankenstein / Rock N Roll Boogie Woogie Blues / Hanging Around Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee: Walking My Blues Away / Sonny's Thing / Walk On Alan Hull: Numbers (film)

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E48

Johnny Rivers / Drifters / Pete Sinfield

July 24, 1973

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E49

Freddie King / Dr John / Doobie Brothers / Blue

July 31, 1973

Freddie King: Boogie Funk Woman / Across The River Dr. John: Such A Night Doobie Brothers: Long Train Running (promo) Blue: Red Light Song (promo)

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