Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Band

Golden Earring

Golden Earring was a Dutch rock band formed in The Hague in 1961, originally as The Tornados and later known as The Golden Earrings before adopting the shorter name.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Golden Earring was a Dutch rock band formed in The Hague in 1961. They are best known for the international hit "Radar Love."

What it is

Golden Earring was one of the longest-running rock bands in the world, active from 1961 to 2021. Originally called The Tornados and later The Golden Earrings, the band settled on Golden Earring and developed a distinctive rock sound.

Why it matters

The band achieved major international success with "Radar Love" in 1973, followed by "Twilight Zone" and "When the Lady Smiles." In Canada, "Radar Love" became a classic rock radio staple, cementing the band's place in North American rock history.

Key details

The classic lineup—Barry Hay, George Kooymans, Rinus Gerritsen, and Cesar Zuiderwijk—remained together for over five decades. The band ended its active career in 2021 after Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS.

In short

  • One of the longest-running rock bands globally
  • Biggest hit: "Radar Love" (1973)
  • Classic lineup lasted 50+ years
  • Disbanded in 2021 due to ALS diagnosis
Canadian angle

Golden Earring was part of the classic rock rotation in Canada, where "Radar Love" became a widely recognized hard rock radio staple.

Quick questions

Who is Golden Earring?
Golden Earring was a Dutch rock band from The Hague, best known for international hits such as "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone."
What are Golden Earring songs?
Their best-known songs include "Radar Love," "Twilight Zone," "When the Lady Smiles," "Back Home," and "Eight Miles High."
What happened to Golden Earring?
The band ended its active career in 2021 after George Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Earring
    Supports: Band origin, founding year, major hits, and name history.
  2. Golden Earring official website — https://golden-earring.nl/?lang=en
    Supports: Classic lineup, formation in The Hague, "Radar Love" breakthrough, and end of active career after Kooymans’ ALS diagnosis.
  3. Golden Earring official website — https://golden-earring.nl/biography/?lang=en
    Supports: Career overview and significance of "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone."
  4. Last.fm — https://www.last.fm/music/Golden+Earring/+wiki
    Supports: Active years, Dutch origin, and major North American hits.
  5. AllMusic — https://www.allmusic.com/artist/golden-earring-mn0000669303
    Supports: Biography and identification of "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone" as signature hits.