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Golden Earring

From Alfawiki
Golden Earring
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
FoundedJanuary 1, 1961; 65 years ago (1961-01-01) in The Hague, Netherlands
Headquarters
The Hague
,
Netherlands
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Rinus Gerritsen, George Kooymans, Barry Hay, Cesar Zuiderwijk
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Golden Earring is a rock group from the Netherlands, established in 1961 in The Hague under the name the Tornados. They achieved worldwide recognition with tracks such as "Radar Love" (1973), which reached number one in the Netherlands, entered the UK top ten, and climbed to number thirteen on US charts. Other notable hits include "Twilight Zone" (1982) and "When the Lady Smiles" (1984). Throughout their extensive career, they secured nearly thirty top-ten singles in the Dutch charts and produced 25 studio albums.

After several early changes in membership, the lineup solidified in 1970 with Rinus Gerritsen (bass, keyboards), George Kooymans (vocals, guitar), Barry Hay (vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums). This formation remained intact until their disbandment in 2021 following Kooymans' ALS diagnosis. A number of other musicians had short stints with the band. With Kooymans’ passing in 2025, Gerritsen stands as the last original member still living.

Golden Earring has scheduled five farewell performances at Rotterdam Ahoy for 2026.

Formation and Early Period (1961–1969)

The origins of Golden Earring trace back to 1961 in The Hague, where teenagers George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen founded the band. Initially called "the Tornados," they adopted the name the Golden Earrings after discovering their original moniker was already claimed. This new name was inspired by an instrumental piece from British band the Hunters, for whom they served as both opening and closing acts. Early members included Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals and Jaap Eggermont on drums. Their first single "Please Go" released in 1965 found success, followed by "That Day," recorded at London's Pye Records studios, which peaked at number two on Dutch charts. By 1969, the group abbreviated their name to Golden Earring.

In 1968, Barry Hay took over lead vocals from Krassenburg. Two years later, they achieved their first Dutch chart-topper with "Dong Dong Diki Digi Dong." American East Coast DJ Neil Kempfer-Stocker played a key role in introducing their music to US audiences. Their psychedelic album Eight Miles High featured a 19-minute rendition of the Byrds’ title track, which became a central element of their live shows and influenced their studio work to capture live performance energy. In the US, releases were managed by Perception Records, but despite modest success stateside, singles like "Back Home" dominated Dutch charts.

Global Recognition (1970s and 1980s)

Drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk joined in 1969, completing what would become Golden Earring’s classic lineup. The band rose to international prominence during the 1970s with the hit "Radar Love" (1973) from their gold-certified album Moontan, enjoying success across Europe and America. Their initial major US tour took place between 1969 and 1970, during which they shifted toward a hard rock sound influenced by American artists, sharing stages with legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton. Between 1969 and 1984, they conducted thirteen US tours, opening for prominent acts including Santana, King Crimson, the Doobie Brothers, and Rush. At the height of "Radar Love," bands like Kiss and Aerosmith served as opening acts for Golden Earring.

In 1977, they released Live, recorded at London's Rainbow Theater.

Following a brief period of US stardom, they experienced renewed international success with the 1982 release of "Twilight Zone". Its music video directed by Dick Maas received heavy rotation on MTV, contributing to the song’s impressive 27-week run on Billboard charts.

Their 1984 single "When the Lady Smiles" became an international hit, reaching number three in Canada and marking their fifth number one in the Netherlands; however, it only reached No. 76 in the United States. The accompanying video was banned by MTV due to controversial scenes; this second collaboration with director Maas helped launch his career in film. While touring the US that year, Golden Earring performed at Six Flags Great Adventure during a tragic fire at the park’s Haunted Castle that resulted in eight teenage fatalities. Following these events, the band concentrated on European audiences where they continued to attract large crowds.

After releasing The Hole in 1986, members Hay and Kooymans pursued individual projects before reuniting for Keeper of the Flame in 1989.

Later years (1990s–2021)

In 1991, Golden Earring achieved another Dutch chart success with the rock ballad "Going to the Run," inspired by a Hells Angels member linked to the band. The Russian rock group Aria later adapted this track under the title "Беспечный ангел" ("Careless Angel"). From 1992 through 2004, Golden Earring launched three unplugged acoustic live albums that gained rapid popularity. Their initial release, The Naked Truth, sold 450,000 copies within several years and became the third highest-selling album in the Netherlands for 1993.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2011, the band was honored with a special Dutch postage stamp that included a music link enabling fans to play "Radar Love" via a smartphone application.

Golden Earring's final studio album, Tits 'n Ass, was released on 11 May 2012. On 5 February 2021, their manager announced the conclusion of the band's active career due to George Kooymans being diagnosed with a severe form of ALS.

Reunion and death of George Kooymans (2025–present)

In January 2025, Golden Earring revealed plans for a farewell concert series titled "Golden Earring: One Last Night," scheduled for 30 January 2026 at Rotterdam Ahoy. Because of Kooymans' ALS condition, he was not expected to perform; however, a number of distinguished Dutch musicians participated in these events. Additionally, five euros from every ticket sold were allocated to ALS research funding. The overwhelming demand led to four extra shows from 26 to 29 January, all of which sold out.

George Kooymans passed away on 22 July 2025 at the age of 77.

Current members

  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, harmonica (1961–2021, 2025–present)
  • Barry Hay – lead vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone (1967–2021, 2025–present)
  • Cesar Zuiderwijk – drums and percussion (1970–2021, 2025–present)

Former members

  • George Kooymans – guitar and vocals (1961–2021; deceased 2025)
  • Fred van der Hilst – drums and percussion (1962–1965)
  • Hans van Herwerden – guitar (1962–1963)
  • Peter de Ronde – guitar (1963–1966)
  • Frans Krassenburg – vocals (1964–1967)
  • Jaap Eggermont – drums and percussion (1965–1969)
  • Sieb Warner – drums and percussion (1969–1970)
  • Robert Jan Stips – keyboards and synthesizers (1974–1976; intermittent sessions in 1977–1978, 1980, and 1982; session musician in 1986)
  • Eelco Gelling – guitar (1976–1978; session musician from 1973 to 1975)

Session musicians

  • Bertus Borgers – saxophone (1973–1976)
  • John Lagrand – harmonica (1979)

Lineups

1961–1962 1962–1963 1963–1964 1964–1965
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Hans van Herwerden – guitar
  • Fred van der Hilst – drums, percussion
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Fred van der Hilst – drums, percussion
  • Peter de Ronde – guitar
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Fred van der Hilst – drums, percussion
  • Peter de Ronde – guitar
  • Frans Krassenburg – vocals
1965–1966 1966–1967 1967–1969 1969–1970
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Peter de Ronde – guitar
  • Frans Krassenburg – vocals
  • Jaap Eggermont – drums, percussion
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Frans Krassenburg – vocals
  • Jaap Eggermont – drums, percussion
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Jaap Eggermont – drums, percussion
  • Barry Hay – vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar, vocals
  • Barry Hay – vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone
  • Sieb Warner – drums, percussion
1970–1974 1974–1975 1975–1978 1978–2021
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, guitar, harmonica
  • George Kooymans – guitar and vocals
  • Barry Hay – lead vocals,guitar flute,saxophone
  • Cesar Zuiderwijk, drums and percussion
 
* Rinus Gerritsen, bass,keyboards,guitar,harmonica 
* George Kooymans,guitar,vocals 
* Barry Hay,vocals,guitar flute,saxophone 
* Cesar Zuiderwijk,drums and percussion 
* Robert Jan Stips, keyboards and synthesizers 

* Rinus Gerritsen, bass,keyboards,guitar,harmonica 
* George Kooymans,guitar,vocals 
* Barry Hay,vocals,guitar flute,saxophone 
* Cesar Zuiderwijk,drums and percussion 
* Eelco Gelling,guitar 

* Rinus Gerritsen,bass,keyboards,guitar,harmonica 
* George Kooymans,guitar,vocals 
* Barry Hay,vocals,guitar flute,saxophone 
* Cesar Zuiderwijk,drums and percussion

Discography


Sources

  • Biography authored by Rinus Gerritsen, founding member and bassist, available on the official band website.
  • Dutch-language biographies including Haagsche Bluf by Pieter Franssen (1993) and prof. Maarten Steenmeyer's Rock die niet roest (2005).
  • Authorized biography commemorating the 45th anniversary, titled The Story of Golden Earring, written by Karin and Mechteld Beks in 2005, also in Dutch.
  • A collection of interviews with band members preserved on the Golden Earring Museum’s website.


External links

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