The story
South African rock band (1970-1972). The bands claim to fame is being the first and only (professional) band of producer legend Robert John "Mutt" Lange (Robert John Lange). It also included Lange's first wife, singer Stevie van Kerken, aka Stevie Lange, who herself in the 70's and 80's would lead a substantial career as backing vocalist in the UK.
Lange started Hocus with boarding school friends around 1970 with "Mutt" Lange (Bass), Steve MacNamara (Lead guitar, vocals), Geoff Williams (Drums, vocals), Colin Hughes (Vocals) and Graham Stewart (Keyboards). This line-up released a single (Two time woman/Affair brite nite). Hughes and Stewart then left the band. After a while as a trio, later in 1971 Hocus expanded with van Kerken (Vocals, Piano) and Allan Goldswain (Keyboards, vocals). This line-up released a second single (Roll me over/Monkey in my family tree) and then MacNamara left. He was replaced by Graham Holloway on lead guitar. Also, Graham Stewart re-entered the band. A third single (River Roll) was released in 1971. Hocus then broke up and Lange and van Kerken married. In 1972 the Lange's and Goldswain revived Hocus as a trio and released a fourth single (He) before the band finally folded. "Mutt" focused on producing and in 1973/1974 the Lange's migrated to London. A fifth single (Rolling Wheels ) was released in 1976 just as "Mutt"'s producing career started to spin.
Hocus played a quite ordinary kind of rock, that in no way resembled the power and clarity "Mutt" Lange as a producer later would create with artists like AC/DC and Foreigner.
From Discogs, written by its community.
