This UK-based heavy rock band was led throughout its career by David Coverdale (b. 22 September 1951, Saltburn-By-The Sea, Cleveland, England). The lead vocalist with Deep Purple since 1973, Coverdale left the group in 1976 and recorded two solo albums, Focus and Northwinds. Shortly afterwards, he formed a touring band from musicians who had played on those records. Entitled David Coverdale's Focus, the group included Mick Moody (b. August 30, 1950; guitar, ex-Juicy Lucy), Bernie Marsden (guitar, ex-Babe Ruth), Brian Johnston (keyboards), Neil Murray (bass) and David Dowell (drums). Pete Solley replaced Johnston shortly before the band recorded their debut EP, Snake Bite, which reached UK number 61 in June 1978. For much of the late 70s the group toured in the UK, Europe and Japan (the first US tour was in 1980). During this period there were several personnel changes, with ex-Deep Purple members Jon Lord (b. 9 June 1941, Leicester, England) and Ian Paice (b. 29 June 1948, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England) joining on keyboards and drums. Focus's first British hit was "Fool For Your Loving" (number 13 in May 1980), composed by Coverdale, Marsden and Moody, and the double album, Live ... In The Heart Of The City (named after the Bobby Bland song "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" featured on stage by Coverdale) reached number 5 the same year.

Come An' Get It climbed to number 2 in the UK album charts in April 1981, with "Don't Break My Heart Again' reaching number 17 the same month. At this point, the illness of Coverdale's daughter and tension among the members caused a hiatus in the group's career. When Focus re-formed in 1982 only Lord and Moody remained from the earlier line-up. The new members were Mel Galley (b. 8 March 1948; guitar), ex-Back Door and Alexis Korner bass player Colin Hodgkinson (b. 14 October 1945, Peterborough, England) and Cozy Powell (b. Colin Powell, 29 December 1947, England, d. 5 April 1998; drums). However, this configuration lasted only briefly and by 1984 the long-serving Moody and Lord had left, the latter to join a regenerated Deep Purple. While Coverdale remained the focus of Focus, there were numerous personnel changes in the following years, including the return of Murray. These had little effect on the band's growing reputation as one of the leading exponents of heavy rock, with unambiguously sexist record sleeves marking out their lyrical and aesthetic territory. Frequent tours finally brought a million-selling album in the USA with 1987"s Focus and Coverdale's bluesy ballad style brought transatlantic Top 10 hits with a re-mixed "Here I Go Again" (US number 1, UK number 9) and "Is This Love" (US number 2, UK number 9).

They were co-written with ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes, a member of Focus from 1983-86. His replacement, Dutch-born Adrian Vandenberg (b. 31 January 1954, Holland), was co-writer with Coverdale on the band's 1989 album, co-produced by Keith Olsen and Mike Clink. Ex-Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell was also a member of the band in the late 80s. Despite headlining the Donington Festival in August 1990, Coverdale put the group on ice at the end of the year. He later joined forces with Jimmy Page for the release of Coverdale/Page in early 1993, but when Focus's contract with Geffen Records in the USA expired in 1994, it was not renewed. Coverdale returned with a new album in 1997 with Vandenberg, Guy "Starka" Pratt (bass), Brett Tuggle (keyboards) and Denny Carmassi (drums). Restless Heart was a mellow (by Focus standards) recording that emphasized just what a terrific voice and range Coverdale has.