History of Sorts

George Kooymans, Golden Earring Guitarist and Co-Founder, Dies at 77

George Kooymans, guitarist and co-founder of the iconic Dutch rock band Golden Earring, has passed away at the age of 77. His family announced on Tuesday that he died as a result of ALS, the progressive muscle-wasting disease he was diagnosed with in 2020.

“We say goodbye to a great musician and composer whose influence reached far beyond Golden Earring,” the family said in a statement. “George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather—and above all, a dear friend.”

Golden Earring’s longtime drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk told AD he is taking time to reflect. “What we want now is silence and to remember all that he did,” he said. “I played with him for 50 years—it was the best time of my life.”

Formed in The Hague in 1961 by Kooymans and bassist Rinus Gerritsen, Golden Earring became the Netherlands’ most successful rock band. They rose to international fame with hits such as Radar Love (1973) and Twilight Zone (1982)—the latter penned by Kooymans and a Top 10 hit in the U.S.

Following Kooymans’ retirement in February 2021 due to his illness, the band chose not to continue with a replacement. “We are four friends, and we’re irreplaceable,” the group said at the time. “A new band member just wouldn’t fit.”

Golden Earring’s final concert took place on 16 November 2019 at Rotterdam’s Ahoy arena. The band officially disbanded after Kooymans’ ALS diagnosis was made public on 5 February 2021.

Beyond Golden Earring, Kooymans co-founded the Dutch supergroup Vreemde Kostgangers alongside Boudewijn de Groot and Henny Vrienten. He also played a key role in launching Anouk’s breakthrough, performing on her 1997 hit Together Alone with bandmate Barry Hay.

To honor Kooymans and support ALS research, the remaining members of Golden Earring will hold a farewell concert at Ahoy on 30 January 2026, joined by guest musicians.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a rare, progressive neurological disease that weakens muscles and eventually affects breathing. It affects approximately 1,500 people in the Netherlands.

source

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/07/george-kooymans-co-founder-of-golden-earring-dies-aged-77/