Jan Akkerman

Jan Akkerman (born 24 December 1946) is a Dutch guitarist and lutenist. In 1973 Akkerman was chosen Best Guitarist Of The World by the readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker. 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. At age five he took guitar lessons and, 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 in late 1969.