Golden Earring was a Dutch rock band formed in The Hague in 1961 by guitarist George Kooymans and bassist Rinus Gerritsen. Initially known as The Tornadoes, the group changed its name to The Golden Earrings after discovering that another band was already using the original name. The name was inspired by an instrumental song associated with the British beat group The Hunters. After several variations, the band became known simply as Golden Earring in 1969.
The group emerged from the flourishing Hague club scene and quickly established itself in Dutch pop music. Its first single, "Please Go," and debut album, Just Earrings, were released in 1965. Early recordings reflected the influence of British beat music, but Golden Earring developed rapidly during the second half of the decade. Albums such as Winter Harvest (1967), Miracle Mirror (1968), and the ambitious double album On the Double (1969) showed the band moving toward psychedelic rock and more expansive arrangements.
A major change came in 1968, when singer Barry Hay replaced Frans Krassenburg. Hay's English-language delivery helped give the band a broader international profile. Drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk joined in 1970, completing the classic lineup alongside Hay, Kooymans, and Gerritsen. The same period brought a harder, more direct sound, heard on songs such as "Back Home," "Holy Holy Life," and "She Flies on Strange Wings." Golden Earring also became one of the first Dutch bands to tour extensively in the United States, sharing bills with artists including Led Zeppelin, Joe Cocker, and The Who.
Their international breakthrough came with Moontan (1973). Built around a muscular blend of hard rock, melodic songwriting, and sophisticated studio production, the album produced "Radar Love." The song became a major hit in Europe and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its driving rhythm and road-centered theme later made it a classic rock staple and one of the most recognizable songs associated with automobile culture. Golden Earring supported the album with extensive North American touring, including appearances with The Who, Aerosmith, Santana, and other leading rock acts.
The band continued to experiment after Moontan. Switch (1975) introduced a stronger keyboard presence and more progressive structures, while Contraband (1976) returned to a more guitar-oriented approach. A successful live album, Live (1977), reinforced the group's reputation as a powerful concert act. Although later releases did not repeat the American success of "Radar Love," Golden Earring remained a major attraction in the Netherlands.
In 1982, the band experienced another international revival with Cut and the single "Twilight Zone." The song's cinematic music video, directed by Dutch filmmaker Dick Maas, received heavy exposure on MTV and helped return Golden Earring to the American charts. Maas also directed the controversial video for "When the Lady Smiles" in 1984. After the mid-1980s, the group focused increasingly on its domestic audience while continuing to release albums and tour.
The acoustic live album The Naked Truth became a major Dutch success in the 1990s and introduced the band's catalog to a new generation. Golden Earring remained active through the 2000s and released its final studio album, Tits 'n Ass, in 2012. The record reached number one in the Netherlands. After George Kooymans announced in February 2021 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, Golden Earring ended its activities. Kooymans died on July 22, 2025. The band's long career made it one of the most important and enduring acts in Dutch rock history.