George Kooymans, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary Dutch rock band Golden Earring, has passed away at the age of 77.
His family confirmed the sad news to Dutch newspaper AD, revealing that Kooymans died as a result of complications from ALS, a condition he had been battling since his diagnosis in 2020.
“We say goodbye to a great musician and composer whose work reached far beyond Golden Earring. George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, but above all, a friend,” the family said.
Golden Earring drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk added, “What we want now is silence and to remember everything he did. I played with him for 50 years, and that was the best time of my life. I’ll leave it at that for now.”
Golden Earring enjoyed a remarkable run of over fifty years, becoming one of the Netherlands’ most successful bands and gaining international fame with hits like 1973’s “Radar Love,” 1982’s “Twilight Zone,” and 1984’s “When the Lady Smiles.” Although “Twilight Zone” was their highest-charting U.S. single, reaching Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, it’s the sprawling, dynamic anthem “Radar Love” — which peaked at Number 13 — that has stood the test of time as the band’s signature song and a classic rock radio staple.
R.I.P. George Kooymans.
