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George Kooymans

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George Kooymans
Kooymans in 1983
Kooymans in 1983
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Jan Kooymans
Born(1948-03-11)11 March 1948
The Hague, Netherlands
Died22 July 2025(2025-07-22) (aged 77)
Rijkevorsel, Belgium
GenresRock
Occupations
  • Guitarist
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1961–2022
Formerly ofGolden 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 group Golden 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 the Billboard Top Album Tracks chart.[2]

In 2021, Kooymans announced his retirement from the music business after he was diagnosed with ALS. He died four years later.

Career

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In 1961, Kooymans and his neighbour Rinus Gerritsen formed a rock duo.[3] They originally called themselves "The Tornados", but changed their name to "The Golden Earrings" when they learnt of The 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 group the Hunters,[5] for whom they served as opening and closing act. Initially a pop-rock band with Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals and Jaap 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recorded in 1965.[4][6] After two albums, Barry Hay joined on lead vocals permanently, and by 1970, Sieb Warner had been replaced by Cesar Zuiderwijk, and the principal lineup (that would last for 50 years) was finalised.[7]

Kooymans in 1971

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 in 2015

Kooymans wrote "Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 pop single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 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 of Vreemde Kostgangers [nl] (Strange Boarders), a Dutch-language supergroup he formed with Henny Vrienten (bass player of the band Doe Maar) and singer-songwriter Boudewijn de Groot.[10]

Personal life and death

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Kooymans was married to Melanie Gerritsen, the younger sister of Golden Earring bassist Rinus Gerritsen.[7]

In February 2021, Kooymans announced that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and would retire. Shortly afterward, Golden Earring announced they would disband.[11]

Kooymans died in Rijkevorsel on 22 July 2025, at the age of 77.[12][13][14] Media coverage of Kooymans' death, alongside that of Chuck Mangione, was almost completely overshadowed by that of Ozzy Osbourne who died on that same day.

Equipment

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Kooymans primarily played a Gibson Les Paul, a Gretsch 6119, a Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson Marauder, a Gibson SG, a Yamaha SG2000, several BC Rich guitars, a double cutaway Gibson Melody Maker and a Gibson Firebird, with his primary amps being a Roland Jazz Chorus, a Vox AC30 amp, and a Fender Twin Reverb.[15][16]

Discography

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Golden Earring

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Main article: Golden Earring discography

Solo albums

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  • Jojo (1971)
  • Solo (1987)
  • On Location (as Kooymans-Carillo with Frank Carillo) (2010)
  • Mirage (as Kooymans & Carillo with Frank Carillo) (2022)

Singles

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  • "Lovin' and Hurtin'" / "For Gail" 1971
  • "Lost For Love" / "The Devil Rides Again Tonight" 1987
  • "The Beat Goes On" / "Again" 1987
  • "World of Our Own" / "All Things Are Light" 1987

References

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  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography: George Kooymans". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits',' 9th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 259.
  3. ^ "Rinus Gerritsen - official website - bassplayer for Golden Earring". 10 April 2006. Archived from the original on 10 April 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 187/8. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  5. ^ "Biography | Golden Earring". golden-earring.nl. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Huey, Steve. "Golden Earring Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Kenton, Steve: George Kooymans – A Tribute to the Golden Earring Legend Lost to ALS at 77 metaltalk.net
  8. ^ US-Singles: Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2006. Billboard Books, New York 2007, ISBN 0-89820-172-1 / US-Alben: The Billboard Albums von Joel Whitburn, 6th Edition, Record Research 2006, ISBN 0-89820-166-7
  9. ^ Kenton, Steve: In Memoriam George Kooymans (1948–2025) bojoura.info 23 July 2025
  10. ^ George Kooymans homestead-guitars.com
  11. ^ "Golden Earring Co-Founder George Kooymans Retires After ALS Diagnosis; Band Calls it Quits". Bestclassicbands.com. 11 March 2021.
  12. ^ "George Kooymans was de stille kracht van Golden Earring". Trouw. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Gitarist George Kooymans (77) van Golden Earring overleden". nos.nl (in Dutch). 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  14. ^ Kuyper, Amanda (23 July 2025). "Met Golden Earring schreef creatieve aanvoerder en rockmotor George Kooymans muziekgeschiedenis". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Earring Gear". Golden-earring-museum.nl. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Songs, snaren & gitaren, Henk Schaakxs | 9789073187863 | Boeken | bol". Bol.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
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