Golden Earring

Golden Earring is the Dutch band that became internationally known with the albums Moontan and Cut and the hits Radar Love and Twilight Zone.

Almost all of Dutch pop history is reflected in the career of the Hague-based band Golden Earring. Inspired by the musical missionary work of the Indorockers, singer-guitarist George Kooymans and bassist Rinus Gerritsen decided to form their own band, initially called The Golden Earrings. The original lineup stabilized around singer Frans Krassenburg, drummer Jaap Eggermont, and guitarist Peter de Ronde. Thanks to their first hit "Please Go" and debut album "Just Ear-Rings," the band immediately established itself at the forefront of The Hague's flourishing beat scene.

Successful albums followed: Winter Harvest (1967), the psychedelic Miracle Mirror (1968), and Greatest Hits (1968), a compilation of the singles. Music was changing rapidly in those days, and The Golden Earrings adapted adroitly, not shying away from personnel consequences. For example, in 1967, Frans Krassenburg was replaced by Barry Hay. In 1969, they undertook their first American tour with him. Inspired by this, the band returned in 1970 with a hard-rocking album, simply titled Golden Earring, featuring the hit "Back Home." By then, the band name had been shortened, and Cesar Zuiderwijk, originally from Livin' Blues, was on drums. The definitive lineup of Golden Earring was thus complete.

It was in this lineup that Golden Earring's glory years began. Moontan (1973) contained the worldwide hit and ultimate car song, Radar Love. It earned the band a top position, especially in America. Switch (1975) and To The Hilt (1976) were recorded with keyboardist Robert Jan Stips (Supersister) as an additional member. On Contraband and Grab It For A Second, he was replaced by guitarist Eelco Gelling (of Cuby + Blizzards, among others). The newcomer shone particularly brightly on the live double album Live (1977). After a few lean years, the album Cut (1982) followed, intended as a farewell album and again formed as a quartet. Its enormous success and the new worldwide hit When The Lady Smiles convinced Golden Earring to continue. Tours of North America even followed.

In later years, the band found particular success with their so-called "Naked" albums: recordings of sold-out theater tours where classics were played in stripped-down versions: The Naked Truth (1992), Naked II (1997), and Naked III – Live At The Panama (2005). The band's best work was collected in the box set The Devil Made Us Do It - 35 Years (2000), featuring songs with commentary by bassist Rinus Gerritsen. Their most recent album was Tits 'N Ass (2012), which was followed by the EP The Hague (2015). New albums from Golden Earring themselves don't seem to be forthcoming, but live, one of the world's oldest bands is still very much alive. In 2019, singer Barry Hay and JB Meijers released the album For You Baby, featuring covers played by a minimal lineup.

At Platenzaak.nl we have a lot of CDs and LPs from Golden Earring, including the latest album.