George Jan Kooymans (born 11 March 1948) is a Dutch retired guitarist and vocalist. He is best known for his work with the Dutch group Golden Earring. Kooymans wrote " Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 entry on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Album Tracks chart. Whitburn, Joel (2010). ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits',' 9th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 259.'' In 2021, George retired not only his own career, but also the Golden Earring band after he revealed that he had

ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most com ...

Career

In 1961, Kooymans and his neighbour Rinus Gerritsen formed a rock duo. 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". Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). '' The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock'' (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 187/8. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7. The name "the Golden Earrings" was taken from an instrumental called "Golden Earrings" performed by the British group the Hunters, 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. After two albums,

Barry Hay Barry Andrew Hay (born 16 August 1948) is an Indian-born Dutch musician; he was the lead vocalist and frontman of Dutch rock band Golden Earring from 1967 until their disbandment in 2021. Biography Hay was born in Faizabad, India, to a Dutch- ...

joined on lead vocals permanently, and by 1970, Sieb Warner had been replaced by Cesar Zuiderwijk, and the principal lineup (that would last for 50 years) was finalised. GeorgeKooymans1971TopPop

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, " Twilight Zone" in 1982, and " When the Lady Smiles" in 1984. During their career they had nearly 30 top ten singles on the Dutch charts and released 25 studio albums. Kooymans wrote " Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 pop single on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Album Tracks chart. Kooymans also wrote and produced for other artists. In 2017 and 2018 he released two albums as a member of Vreemde Kostgangers (Strange Boarders), a Dutch-language supergroup he formed with Henny Vrienten (bass player of the band

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) and singer-songwriter

Boudewijn de Groot Frank Boudewijn de Groot (, born 20 May 1944) is a Dutch singer-songwriter, known for "''Welterusten Meneer de President''" (1966). Biography Youth Boudewijn de Groot was born in wartime occupied Dutch East Indies in 1944 in a Japanese concentr ...

Personal life

Kooymans is married to Melanie Gerritsen, the younger sister of Golden Earring bassist Rinus Gerritsen. In February, 2021, Kooymans announced that he was suffering from

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most comm ...

(ALS) and would retire. Shortly afterward, Golden Earring announced they would disband.

Equipment

Kooymans primarily played a

Gibson Les Paul The Gibson Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that was first sold by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. The guitar was designed by factory manager John Huis and his team with input from and endorsement by guitarist Les Paul. Its typi ...

, 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 The Gibson Melody Maker is an electric guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation. It has had many body shape variations since its conception in 1959. Model history Regular issue (1959–71) The original Gibson Melody Maker was first launche ...

and a Gibson Firebird, with his primary amps being a Roland Jazz Chorus, a Vox AC30 amp, and a Fender Twin Reverb.

Discography

Golden Earring

Solo albums

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

Singles

*"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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kooymans, George 1948 births Living people Musicians from The Hague Dutch rock guitarists Dutch male guitarists Golden Earring members People with motor neuron disease Musicians with disabilities 20th-century Dutch people