| George Kooymans | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kooymans in 1983 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | George Jan Kooymans (1948-03-11)11 March 1948 The Hague, Netherlands |
| Died | 22 July 2025(2025-07-22) (aged 77) Rijkevorsel, Belgium |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1961–2022 |
| Formerly of | Golden Earring |
George Jan Kooymans (11 March 1948 – 22 July 2025) was a Dutch guitarist and vocalist. He was best known for his work with the Dutch groupGolden Earring.[1] Kooymans wrote "Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 entry on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on theBillboardTop Album Tracks chart.[2]
In 2021, Kooymans announced his retirement from the music business after he was diagnosed withALS. He died four years later.
In 1961, Kooymans and his neighbourRinus Gerritsen formed a rock duo.[3] They originally called themselves "The Tornados", but changed their name to "The Golden Earrings" when they learnt ofThe Tornados, a UK instrumental group who had just had a hit with "Telstar".[4] The name "the Golden Earrings" was taken from an instrumental called "Golden Earrings" performed by the British groupthe Hunters,[5] for whom they served as opening and closing act. Initially a pop-rock band with Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals andJaap Eggermont on drums, the Golden Earrings had a hit with their debut single "Please Go", recorded in 1965.[4][6] After two albums,Barry Hay joined on lead vocals permanently, and by 1970, Sieb Warner had been replaced byCesar Zuiderwijk, and the principal lineup (that would last for 50 years) was finalised.[7]
They achieved worldwide fame with their international hit songs "Radar Love" in 1973, which went to number one on the Dutch chart, reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, and went to number 13 on the United States chart,[6][8] "Twilight Zone" in 1982, and "When the Lady Smiles" in 1984.[6] During their career they had nearly 30 top ten singles on the Dutch charts and released 25 studio albums.[7]
Kooymans wrote "Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 pop single on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on theBillboardTop Album Tracks chart.[2]
Kooymans also wrote and produced for other artists. In the sixties, he also launched the musical career of Bojoura and wrote Everybody's Day for her.[9] Between 2017 and 2023 he released three albums as a member ofVreemde Kostgangers [nl] (Strange Boarders), a Dutch-language supergroup he formed withHenny Vrienten (bass player of the bandDoe Maar) and singer-songwriterBoudewijn de Groot.[10]
Kooymans was married to Melanie Gerritsen, the younger sister of Golden Earring bassistRinus Gerritsen.[7]
In February 2021, Kooymans announced that he was suffering fromamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and would retire. Shortly afterward, Golden Earring announced they would disband.[11]
Kooymans died inRijkevorsel on 22 July 2025, at the age of 77.[12][13][14]
Kooymans primarily played aGibson Les Paul, a Gretsch 6119, aFender Stratocaster, aGibson Marauder, aGibson SG, a Yamaha SG2000, several BC Rich guitars, a double cutawayGibson Melody Maker and aGibson Firebird, with his primary amps being aRoland Jazz Chorus, aVox AC30 amp, and aFender Twin Reverb.[15][16]
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