TOP   APC   PEAK   title   YEAR  
  1   76   8   RADAR LOVE   1973  
  2   195   30   WHEN THE LADY SMILES   1984  
  3   348   67   TWILIGHT ZONE   1982  
  4   979   277   ANOTHER 45 MILES   1969  
  5   981   128   JUST A LITTLE BIT OF PEACE IN MY HEART   1968  
  6   999   94   BACK HOME   1970  
  7   1438   541   SHE FLIES ON STRANGE WINGS   1971  
  8   1833   171   SOUND OF THE SCREAMING DAY   1967  
  9   1918   261   WEEKEND LOVE   1979  
  10   3300   495   THAT DAY   1966  
  11   3355   1425   BOMBAY   1976  
  12   4377   1810   I'VE JUST LOST SOMEBODY   1968  
  13   4478   746   PLEASE GO   1965  
  14   4782   1279   GOING TO THE RUN   1991  
  15   4827   1762   BUDDY JOE   1972  
  16   4923   514   DONG-DONG-DI-KI-DI-KI-DONG   1968  
  17   7910   2058   HOLY HOLY LIFE   1971  
  18   7974   2066   IN MY HOUSE   1967  
  19   8016   1938   INSTANT POETRY   1974  
  20   8742   2498  
IF YOU LEAVE ME
  1966  
  21   9397   2639   SLEEPWALKING   1976  
  22   9460   2511   CE SOIR (KILL ME)   1975  
  23   9574   2763   TOGETHER WE LIVE, TOGETHER WE LOVE   1967  
  24   10865   3115   WHERE WILL I BE   1969  
  25   11059   3431   DADDY BUY ME A GIRL   1966  
  26   11183   3468   QUIET EYES   1986  
  27   11233   4451   HOLD ME NOW   1994  
  28   11483   3575   TURN THE WORLD AROUND   1989  
  29   12525   3947   STAND BY ME   1972  
  30   12958   4103   DON'T RUN TOO FAR   1966  
  31   13477   4821   LONG BLOND ANIMAL   1980  
  32   13488   4340   CLEAR NIGHT, MOONLIGHT   1984  
  33   14551   4773   THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT   1982  
  34   16029   6041   I CAN'T SLEEP WITHOUT YOU   1992  
  35       7284   MOVIN' DOWN LIFE   1978  
  36       9791   BURNING STUNTMAN   1997  
  37       7523   MY KILLER MY SHADOW   1988  
  38       9734   I DO ROCK'N ROLL   1979  
  39       8202  
TEMPORARY MADNESS
  1991  
  40       8228   JUST LIKE VINCE TAYLOR   1977  
                     
                     
  Golden Earring is one of the longest-running and most influential rock bands to come out of the Netherlands. Their story begins in 1961 in The Hague, where George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen, still teenagers at the time, founded a band called The Tornados. Since a British band already bore that name, they quickly changed it to The Golden Earrings, inspired by an instrumental track by The Hunters. In their early years, the band mainly played instrumental music in the style of The Shadows, but soon transitioned to beat music, influenced by British acts like The Beatles and The Kinks. Their first singles, “Please Go” and “That Day,” became major hits in the Netherlands and established them as a leading beat group.

In 1969, the band officially changed its name to Golden Earring, dropping the “s,” and entered a period of musical transformation. The classic lineup was formed: George Kooymans on guitar and vocals, Rinus Gerritsen on bass, Barry Hay as lead vocalist and flautist, and Cesar Zuiderwijk on drums. This formation would remain intact until the end and became one of the most cohesive and enduring rock groups in the world. In 1973, Golden Earring broke through internationally with “Radar Love,” written by Kooymans. The song became a global hit, reached the American Top 100, and grew into one of the most played tracks on U.S. radio stations. The album “Moontan” received international acclaim, and the band toured the United States, opening for acts like Led Zeppelin.

The 1970s were a period of creative flourishing. Golden Earring experimented with longer compositions, psychedelic influences, and theatrical performances. Yet their sound remained rooted in solid rock with melodic flair. They released albums such as “Switch,” “To the Hilt,” and “Contraband,” which reinforced their reputation as a versatile and ambitious band. In the Netherlands, they remained consistently popular, though international success varied. Still, “Radar Love” became an evergreen classic and was covered by countless other artists.

In the 1980s, the band experienced a new wave of international success. In 1982, they released “Twilight Zone,” again written by Kooymans. The song reached the American Top 10 and was supported by a groundbreaking music video, boosting their popularity among the MTV generation. Two years later came “When the Lady Smiles,” a major hit in the Netherlands and Belgium. However, the video was censored in the United States due to controversial imagery, which hindered the song’s international breakthrough. Nevertheless, the band remained a live phenomenon in Europe, performing to sold-out venues with energetic shows.

During this period, the band consciously chose artistic freedom over commercial pressure. Albums like “N.E.W.S.,” “The Hole,” and “Keeper of the Flame” sold less well outside Europe, but Golden Earring stayed true to their own style. In the Netherlands, they were regulars in the charts and on television, and their concerts became legendary. The band was known for their craftsmanship, energy, and loyalty to their fans.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Golden Earring remained active despite the changing musical landscape. They released albums such as “Face It,” “Paradise in Distress,” and “Millbrook U.S.A.,” which were well received in the Netherlands. Their live reputation remained rock solid. Every year they played in major venues and festivals, and their shows were marked by precision and passion. In 2005, they celebrated their 40th anniversary with a grand concert and a documentary. The band was honored with numerous awards, including the Edison Oeuvre Prize, and their classics continued to rank high in the Alltime Popclassics Chart.

In the final decade of their career, Golden Earring released several live albums and continued to perform. They were celebrated as cultural icons, and their music remained relevant. But in February 2021, their active existence came to an abrupt end. George Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and incurable muscle disease. The band immediately decided to stop, out of respect for their co-founder and the realization that Golden Earring could not exist without him. The announcement came as a shock to fans and colleagues but was also seen as a tribute to the group’s integrity.

George Kooymans was the musical heart of Golden Earring. Born on March 11, 1948, in The Hague, he was not only the guitarist and singer but also the band’s principal composer. His talent for melody, arrangement, and lyrics propelled Golden Earring to international heights. Kooymans wrote classics such as “Radar Love,” “Twilight Zone,” “Another 45 Miles,” and “Going to the Run.” In addition to his work with Golden Earring, he pursued solo projects and played in Vreemde Kostgangers, a Dutch-language supergroup with Boudewijn de Groot and Henny Vrienten. His style was characterized by precision, emotion, and a unique blend of rock and melancholy.

After his diagnosis in 2021, Kooymans withdrew from public life. He passed away on July 23, 2025, in his hometown of Rijkevorsel, Belgium, at the age of 77. His death was widely mourned in the music world. He was praised as one of the greatest Dutch musicians of all time. His legacy is not only musical but also deeply human: a reminder of what is possible when talent, vision, and loyalty come together.

Golden Earring leaves behind an impressive legacy. They earned more than 30 gold and platinum albums, scored international hits in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and beyond, and secured a permanent place in the Dutch music canon. Their music lives on through radio, streaming, and memory. “Radar Love” is still used in films, commercials, and video games. The band inspired countless Dutch acts and proved that international success is possible from a small country.

Golden Earring was more than a rock band. They were pioneers, craftsmen, and cultural icons. Their story is one of friendship, perseverance, and artistic integrity. The decision to stop after Kooymans’ diagnosis reflects respect and unity. Their legacy is a testament to six decades of musical dedication, and their influence will continue for generations to come.