Golden Earring
Encyclopedia
Golden Earring are a Dutch
rock
band, founded in 1961 in The Hague
as the Golden Earrings (the 's' was dropped in 1969). They had international chart success with the songs "Radar Love
" in 1973, "Twilight Zone" in 1982, and "When the Lady Smiles
" in 1984. In their home country, they had over 40 hits and made over 30 gold and platinum albums. Current members of Golden Earring are Barry Hay
(vocals, guitar, flute and saxophone, member since 1968), George Kooymans
(vocals and guitar, founder of band), Rinus Gerritsen
(bass and keyboard, founding member), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums and percussion, member since 1970). Golden Earring have sold millions of albums worldwide, and they are one of the longest existing rock bands in the world that are currently performing in the same line up. Golden Earring had been recording an album at the famous Abbey Road Studios
in London
in the summer of 2011. In August 2011 a postage stamp will be issued by TNT Post to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary.
by 13-year-old George Kooymans and his 15-year-old neighbour, Rinus Gerritsen. Originally called The Tornados, the name was changed to The Golden Earring when they discovered that the name The Tornados
was already in use by another group. The name The Golden Earrings was taken from a song called Golden Earring performed by the British group The Hunters, whom they served as opening and closing act for. Initially a pop-rock band with Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals, The Golden Earrings had their first chart success with their debut single "Please Go", recorded in 1965. It reached number 9 on the music charts in the Netherlands. While The Fab Four had their 'Fifth Beatle' in George Martin, the Earrings used session pianist Cees Schrama on their records. Dissatisfied with Dutch recording studios, the band's manager and co-discoverer Fred Haayen arranged for the next single to be recorded at the Pye Records
studios in London. The record cut at Pye, "That Day," reached number two on the Dutch charts, prevented only from reaching the number one position by The Beatles
' "Michelle
."
In 1967, Barry Hay
joined the band, replacing Krassenburg as frontman for the group. The following year, the band earned their first number one hit in the Netherlands with the song "Dong Dong Diki Digi Dong." Over in the USA, ground work for entering the US market was being laid by East Coast FM radio Disc Jockey and music critic—Neil Kempfer-Stocker, who is credited as the first radio DJ to champion the band stateside. This single was followed by a successful psychedelic album Eight Miles High
, which featured an 18-minute version of the title track, itself a cover of the 1966 hit song
by The Byrds
. The live version, which could last 45 minutes, was considered by some to be a highlight in their first and second American tours, in the middle of the hippie
and flower power
era in the same year Woodstock was organised: 1969. The band's USA records at this time period were issued by the Perception Records label in New York, run by a pack of infamous and shady characters—a decision that Fred Haayen will regret to this day and the band's superb so-called 'Wall of Dolls' LP. and the single 'Back Home' sadly sank without a trace.
In 1970, drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk joined the band, completing what has become Golden Earring's classic (and most enduring) lineup. Cesar was known to use a catapult to launch himself over his drum-kit at the culmination of his drum solos. The band enjoyed brief international superstar status in the 1970s when the single version of "Radar Love
", from the Gold-certified album Moontan
became a hit in both Europe and the USA. Golden Earring embarked on their first major US tour in 1969 - 1970, and were among the first European bands to do so. Owing to American influences, their music evolved towards hard rock, and they performed along with Led Zeppelin
, Eric Clapton
and Jimi Hendrix
. Between 1969 and 1984, Golden Earring completed 13 US tours. During this period, they performed as the opening act for Santana
, King Crimson
, The Doobie Brothers
, Rush
and .38 Special. During 1973-74, when "Radar Love" was a hit, they had KISS
and Aerosmith
as their opening act. While signed to the UK Track Records label, the band rented the superb quadraophonic sound system normally used exclusively by The Who.
They enjoyed a brief period of US stardom but were unable to secure further chart success until 1982's "Twilight Zone". The music video of the song, directed by Dick Maas
, was one of the first rock videos played on the recently-launched MTV
in the United States, and helped the song to become a Top Ten hit.
"When the Lady Smiles
" became an international hit in 1984, reaching #3 in Canada and becoming the band's fifth number one hit in their native country, but received a disappointing reaction in the United States. The reason for this lack of success was that the music video of the song was banned from MTV, because of nudity and a scene portraying the rape of a nun. An edited version of the video was shown, but failed to convey its original intentions. While touring the US
in 1984, the band played at the Great Arena of Six Flags Great Adventure
on May 11 and were in the midst of their concert when a fire at the Haunted Castle began on the opposite side of the theme park, killing eight teenagers. Following this tour, Golden Earring turned their focus toward Europe where they continue to attract standing-room-only crowds.
In 1991, Golden Earring scored another hit in the Netherlands with "Going to the Run", a rock-ballad about a Hells Angels
motorcycle club member who was a friend of the band and died in a crash. A "run" is what a motorcycle club calls an event consisting of riding their bikes somewhere together. The Russian rock band Aria
made a successful cover of "Going to the Run" as "Беспечный ангел" ("Careless Angel"). From 1992 to 2004, the band released three acoustic live unplugged albums, which became an instant success. Since 1992, they have performed acoustic unplugged theater-shows which continue to this date and usually sell out. The acoustic albums feature unplugged versions of famous hits of the band, and have been some of the band's best selling albums, such as The Naked Truth, which sold over 500,000 copies in the Netherlands alone.
Known for their powerful live performances, Golden Earring perform over 200 concerts a year, mainly in their home country of the Netherlands and occasionally in Belgium
, Germany
and the UK
. These energetic live performances have been recorded on several live albums - Live
, recorded at London's Rainbow Theater in 1977; 2nd Live
, 1981; Something Heavy Going Down
, 1984 (also released on DVD as Live from the Twilight Zone); and Last Blast of the Century
, a live recording of their last concert of the 20th century (available on both CD and DVD). Furthermore, the band's acoustic live albums include The Naked Truth (1992), Naked II (1997) and Naked III (2005). Their latest live album, Live from Ahoy 2006, is a DVD with bonus CD.
Golden Earring have not toured in North America or outside Europe since 1984. They have never toured Asia
, South America
or Australia
.
Currently, the band is working on their latest studio release, their first studio album since the 2003 album Millbrook USA. This album was recorded in Millbrook, New York
, at the studio of fellow musician Frank Carillo
.
March 2009 Golden Earring will do two gigs in the UK for the first time in 30 years, with one concert on 14 March 2009 at The Shepherd's Bush Empire in London
and one show at Ipswich
Regent Theatre on March 13, 2009.
Golden Earring celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2011 and have been performing almost continuously since their founding in 1961. They have had the same unchanged line-up of the same four musicians and friends since 1970, augmented from time to time with a fifth member (Dutch keyboardist and leader of legendary band Supersister
, Robert Jan Stips). Along with the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and Germany's The Lords, Golden Earring are one of the oldest rock bands that are still performing today, and Golden Earring has arguably the most stable lineup of these veteran bands (Texas band ZZ Top
holds the record for stable membership, but is a younger band, being formed in 1969). For now, Golden Earring's gigs are scheduled on a "one month on - one month off" basis. This is mainly due to lead singer Barry Hay's relocation to the Dutch Antilles island of Curaçao
in the Caribbean
, where he put up his new residence and lives during the band's time off.
On October 10, 2011, at the Historical Museum of The Hague
, PostNL
presented the first postage stamp with music. This stamp was issued in honour of the 50th anniversary of the legendary Dutch band Golden Earring. When a smartphone with a special app is held up to the music stamp, Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” plays. This stamp is the first in a series of music stamps with real sound highlighting the greatest pop albums ever released in the Netherlands. PostNL is the first in the world with this concept. Band member and co-founder Rinus Gerritsen accepted the first sheetlet from PostNL.
Moontan has been, internationally, Golden Earring's most successful album. In celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary, PostNL has selected Moontan as the subject of the first stamp in this series.
The 50th anniversary of Golden Earring is also celebrated at the Hague Historical Museum in their hometown The Hague, Holland, with a special temporary exhibition on the band, their music, lifetime and influences. On display are singles, lp's, posters, t-shirts, instruments, handwritings and portraits. Also the nightlife scene of the sixties and seventies is highlighted and a remake of a typical teenage bedroom of the sixties. The expo is called 'Golden Earring - Back Home' and runs from September 3, 2011 till February 26, 2012 in The Hague.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, founded in 1961 in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
as the Golden Earrings (the 's' was dropped in 1969). They had international chart success with the songs "Radar Love
Radar Love
"Radar Love" is a song by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Music critic Bill Lamb rates this among his "top 10 driving songs" due to its lyrics about driving all night and its pulse-quickening, up-tempo beat. The single version of "Radar Love" reached #13 in the US...
" in 1973, "Twilight Zone" in 1982, and "When the Lady Smiles
When the Lady Smiles
"When the Lady Smiles" is a 1984 song by Dutch band Golden Earring. It was the first single from their album N.E.W.S. . Following their top 10 "Twilight Zone", "When the Lady Smiles" was a U.S. chart disappointment, only reaching #76 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" in 1984. In their home country, they had over 40 hits and made over 30 gold and platinum albums. Current members of Golden Earring are Barry Hay
Barry Hay
Barry Andrew Hay is the vocalist/frontman for Dutch rock band Golden Earring.-Biography:Hay was born in Faizabad, India, and moved to the Netherlands at the age of eight. He lived in Amsterdam and later in The Hague. In the summer of 1967, he joined the Golden Earrings, as they were then called,...
(vocals, guitar, flute and saxophone, member since 1968), George Kooymans
George Kooymans
George Kooymans is a Dutch guitarist and vocalist. He is best known for his work with the Dutch group, Golden Earring.- References :...
(vocals and guitar, founder of band), Rinus Gerritsen
Rinus Gerritsen
Rinus Gerritsen is a Dutch bassist. Best known for being founding member of Dutch group Golden Earring, he is also a producer of artists like Herman Brood. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden counts Gerritsen as an important influence.-References:...
(bass and keyboard, founding member), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums and percussion, member since 1970). Golden Earring have sold millions of albums worldwide, and they are one of the longest existing rock bands in the world that are currently performing in the same line up. Golden Earring had been recording an album at the famous Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the summer of 2011. In August 2011 a postage stamp will be issued by TNT Post to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary.
History
Golden Earring was formed in 1961 in The HagueThe Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
by 13-year-old George Kooymans and his 15-year-old neighbour, Rinus Gerritsen. Originally called The Tornados, the name was changed to The Golden Earring when they discovered that the name The Tornados
The Tornados
The Tornados were an English instrumental group of the 1960s that acted as backing group for many of record producer Joe Meek's productions and also for singer Billy Fury. They enjoyed several chart hits in their own right, including the UK and U.S. Number One "Telstar" , the first U.S...
was already in use by another group. The name The Golden Earrings was taken from a song called Golden Earring performed by the British group The Hunters, whom they served as opening and closing act for. Initially a pop-rock band with Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals, The Golden Earrings had their first chart success with their debut single "Please Go", recorded in 1965. It reached number 9 on the music charts in the Netherlands. While The Fab Four had their 'Fifth Beatle' in George Martin, the Earrings used session pianist Cees Schrama on their records. Dissatisfied with Dutch recording studios, the band's manager and co-discoverer Fred Haayen arranged for the next single to be recorded at the Pye Records
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
studios in London. The record cut at Pye, "That Day," reached number two on the Dutch charts, prevented only from reaching the number one position by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "Michelle
Michelle (song)
"Michelle" is a love ballad by The Beatles, mainly written by Paul McCartney, with the middle eight co-written with John Lennon. It is featured on their Rubber Soul album. The song departs from most of The Beatles' other recordings in that some of the lyrics are in French...
."
In 1967, Barry Hay
Barry Hay
Barry Andrew Hay is the vocalist/frontman for Dutch rock band Golden Earring.-Biography:Hay was born in Faizabad, India, and moved to the Netherlands at the age of eight. He lived in Amsterdam and later in The Hague. In the summer of 1967, he joined the Golden Earrings, as they were then called,...
joined the band, replacing Krassenburg as frontman for the group. The following year, the band earned their first number one hit in the Netherlands with the song "Dong Dong Diki Digi Dong." Over in the USA, ground work for entering the US market was being laid by East Coast FM radio Disc Jockey and music critic—Neil Kempfer-Stocker, who is credited as the first radio DJ to champion the band stateside. This single was followed by a successful psychedelic album Eight Miles High
Eight Miles High (album)
Eight Miles High is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1969.-Track listing:#"Landing" – 4:27#"Song of a Devil's Servant" – 6:00#"One Huge Road" – 3:05...
, which featured an 18-minute version of the title track, itself a cover of the 1966 hit song
Eight Miles High
"Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, and David Crosby and first released as a single on March 14, 1966 . The single managed to reach the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 30 of the UK Singles Chart...
by The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
. The live version, which could last 45 minutes, was considered by some to be a highlight in their first and second American tours, in the middle of the hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
and flower power
Flower power
Flower power is a slogan used by the American counterculture movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a symbol of passive resistance and non-violence ideology. It is rooted in the opposition movement to the Vietnam War. The expression was coined by the American Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in...
era in the same year Woodstock was organised: 1969. The band's USA records at this time period were issued by the Perception Records label in New York, run by a pack of infamous and shady characters—a decision that Fred Haayen will regret to this day and the band's superb so-called 'Wall of Dolls' LP. and the single 'Back Home' sadly sank without a trace.
In 1970, drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk joined the band, completing what has become Golden Earring's classic (and most enduring) lineup. Cesar was known to use a catapult to launch himself over his drum-kit at the culmination of his drum solos. The band enjoyed brief international superstar status in the 1970s when the single version of "Radar Love
Radar Love
"Radar Love" is a song by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Music critic Bill Lamb rates this among his "top 10 driving songs" due to its lyrics about driving all night and its pulse-quickening, up-tempo beat. The single version of "Radar Love" reached #13 in the US...
", from the Gold-certified album Moontan
Moontan
Moontan is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1973. It contains their most notable radio hit, "Radar Love" and was voted best Dutch pop album ever by readers of one of the country's best known music magazines Oor in 2008...
became a hit in both Europe and the USA. Golden Earring embarked on their first major US tour in 1969 - 1970, and were among the first European bands to do so. Owing to American influences, their music evolved towards hard rock, and they performed along with Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. Between 1969 and 1984, Golden Earring completed 13 US tours. During this period, they performed as the opening act for Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
, King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
, The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
, Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and .38 Special. During 1973-74, when "Radar Love" was a hit, they had KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
as their opening act. While signed to the UK Track Records label, the band rented the superb quadraophonic sound system normally used exclusively by The Who.
They enjoyed a brief period of US stardom but were unable to secure further chart success until 1982's "Twilight Zone". The music video of the song, directed by Dick Maas
Dick Maas
Dick Maas is Dutch film director, screenwriter, film producer and movie music composer.He achieved national fame after the success of the movies De Lift, Amsterdamned and Flodder.-Shorts:* Adelbert* De overval...
, was one of the first rock videos played on the recently-launched MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
in the United States, and helped the song to become a Top Ten hit.
"When the Lady Smiles
When the Lady Smiles
"When the Lady Smiles" is a 1984 song by Dutch band Golden Earring. It was the first single from their album N.E.W.S. . Following their top 10 "Twilight Zone", "When the Lady Smiles" was a U.S. chart disappointment, only reaching #76 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" became an international hit in 1984, reaching #3 in Canada and becoming the band's fifth number one hit in their native country, but received a disappointing reaction in the United States. The reason for this lack of success was that the music video of the song was banned from MTV, because of nudity and a scene portraying the rape of a nun. An edited version of the video was shown, but failed to convey its original intentions. While touring the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1984, the band played at the Great Arena of Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
on May 11 and were in the midst of their concert when a fire at the Haunted Castle began on the opposite side of the theme park, killing eight teenagers. Following this tour, Golden Earring turned their focus toward Europe where they continue to attract standing-room-only crowds.
In 1991, Golden Earring scored another hit in the Netherlands with "Going to the Run", a rock-ballad about a Hells Angels
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
motorcycle club member who was a friend of the band and died in a crash. A "run" is what a motorcycle club calls an event consisting of riding their bikes somewhere together. The Russian rock band Aria
Aria (band)
Aria is a Russian heavy metal band that was formed in 1985 in Moscow. Although it was not the first Soviet band to play Heavy music, Aria was the first to break through to mainstream media and commercial success. According to several public polls, Aria ranks among top 10 most popular Russian rock...
made a successful cover of "Going to the Run" as "Беспечный ангел" ("Careless Angel"). From 1992 to 2004, the band released three acoustic live unplugged albums, which became an instant success. Since 1992, they have performed acoustic unplugged theater-shows which continue to this date and usually sell out. The acoustic albums feature unplugged versions of famous hits of the band, and have been some of the band's best selling albums, such as The Naked Truth, which sold over 500,000 copies in the Netherlands alone.
Known for their powerful live performances, Golden Earring perform over 200 concerts a year, mainly in their home country of the Netherlands and occasionally in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. These energetic live performances have been recorded on several live albums - Live
Live (Golden Earring album)
Live is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1977 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Candy's Going Bad" – 5:06...
, recorded at London's Rainbow Theater in 1977; 2nd Live
2nd Live
2nd Live is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1981 .-CD 1:#"Don't Stop the Show"#"My Town"#"No for an Answer"#"Heartbeat"#"Save Your Skin"#"I Don't Wanna Be Nobody Else"#"Long Blond Animal"-CD 2:...
, 1981; Something Heavy Going Down
Something Heavy Going Down
Something Heavy Going Down is a live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1984 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Long Blond Animal" – 6:16...
, 1984 (also released on DVD as Live from the Twilight Zone); and Last Blast of the Century
Last Blast of the Century
Last Blast of the Century is a live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 2001 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Just Like Vince Taylor" – 4:01...
, a live recording of their last concert of the 20th century (available on both CD and DVD). Furthermore, the band's acoustic live albums include The Naked Truth (1992), Naked II (1997) and Naked III (2005). Their latest live album, Live from Ahoy 2006, is a DVD with bonus CD.
Golden Earring have not toured in North America or outside Europe since 1984. They have never toured Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
or Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Currently, the band is working on their latest studio release, their first studio album since the 2003 album Millbrook USA. This album was recorded in Millbrook, New York
Millbrook, New York
Millbrook is a village in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is often said to be a "low-key version of the Hamptons" and one of the wealthiest towns in New York State. Millbrook's estimated town population was 1,551 in 2008. Millbrook is located in the Hudson Valley, an hour and thirty...
, at the studio of fellow musician Frank Carillo
Frank Carillo
Frank Carillo is an American rock musician.- Doc Holliday :In 1971, manager Phil Lorito formed a band around Frank Carillo called Doc Holliday, with Carillo, Bob Mayo, Tom Arlotta and Bob Liggio...
.
March 2009 Golden Earring will do two gigs in the UK for the first time in 30 years, with one concert on 14 March 2009 at The Shepherd's Bush Empire in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and one show at Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
Regent Theatre on March 13, 2009.
Golden Earring celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2011 and have been performing almost continuously since their founding in 1961. They have had the same unchanged line-up of the same four musicians and friends since 1970, augmented from time to time with a fifth member (Dutch keyboardist and leader of legendary band Supersister
Supersister
Supersister was a Dutch band from The Hague, Netherlands, playing progressive rock rangingfrom jazz to pop. The most predominant band members were Robert Jan Stips , Sacha van Geest , Marco Vrolijk and Ron van Eck ....
, Robert Jan Stips). Along with the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and Germany's The Lords, Golden Earring are one of the oldest rock bands that are still performing today, and Golden Earring has arguably the most stable lineup of these veteran bands (Texas band ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
holds the record for stable membership, but is a younger band, being formed in 1969). For now, Golden Earring's gigs are scheduled on a "one month on - one month off" basis. This is mainly due to lead singer Barry Hay's relocation to the Dutch Antilles island of Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, where he put up his new residence and lives during the band's time off.
On October 10, 2011, at the Historical Museum of The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, PostNL
PostNL
PostNL is a mail, parcel and e-commerce corporation with operations in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. It is listed at Euronext Amsterdam. Formerly a subsidiary of TNT N.V., it became an independent company upon TNT's demerger in May 2011.- History :As decided by a general...
presented the first postage stamp with music. This stamp was issued in honour of the 50th anniversary of the legendary Dutch band Golden Earring. When a smartphone with a special app is held up to the music stamp, Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” plays. This stamp is the first in a series of music stamps with real sound highlighting the greatest pop albums ever released in the Netherlands. PostNL is the first in the world with this concept. Band member and co-founder Rinus Gerritsen accepted the first sheetlet from PostNL.
Moontan has been, internationally, Golden Earring's most successful album. In celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary, PostNL has selected Moontan as the subject of the first stamp in this series.
The 50th anniversary of Golden Earring is also celebrated at the Hague Historical Museum in their hometown The Hague, Holland, with a special temporary exhibition on the band, their music, lifetime and influences. On display are singles, lp's, posters, t-shirts, instruments, handwritings and portraits. Also the nightlife scene of the sixties and seventies is highlighted and a remake of a typical teenage bedroom of the sixties. The expo is called 'Golden Earring - Back Home' and runs from September 3, 2011 till February 26, 2012 in The Hague.
Studio albums
- Just EarringsJust EarringsJust Earrings is the debut album by Dutch beat band Golden Earrings.-Side 1:# "Nobody But You" - 2:18# "I Hate Saying These Words" - 2:17# "She May Be" - 1:47...
(1965) - Winter-Harvest (1966)
- Miracle MirrorMiracle MirrorMiracle Mirror is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1968 . This is the first Golden Earring album to have Barry Hay as a member.-Side 1:#"The Truth About Arthur" – 2:54...
(1967) - On the Double (double album) (1968)
- Eight Miles HighEight Miles High (album)Eight Miles High is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1969.-Track listing:#"Landing" – 4:27#"Song of a Devil's Servant" – 6:00#"One Huge Road" – 3:05...
(1969) - Golden EarringGolden Earring (album)Golden Earring is a self-titled album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1970 . It is also known under the title Wall of Dolls. This is the first Golden Earring album with drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk as a member...
(aka Wall of Dolls) (1970) - Seven TearsSeven TearsSeven Tears is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1971 .-Track listing:#"Silver Ships" – 5:40#"The Road Swallowed Her Name" – 4:07#"Hope" – 4:46...
(1971) - Together (1972)
- MoontanMoontanMoontan is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1973. It contains their most notable radio hit, "Radar Love" and was voted best Dutch pop album ever by readers of one of the country's best known music magazines Oor in 2008...
(1973) US #12 - Switch (1975) US #108
- To the HiltTo the HiltTo the Hilt is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1976 .-Track listing:All songs were written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted.#"Why Me?" – 7:13...
(1976) US #156 - ContrabandContraband (Golden Earring album)Contraband is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1976 .For the USA, the same recordings were issued under the album title Mad Love the following year . This USA version also had different cover art and song sequence...
(1976, titled Mad Love with different cover art and alternate track listing in the USA) US #182 - Grab It for a SecondGrab It for a SecondGrab It for a Second is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1978.-Track listing:All songs written and composed by Barry Hay and George Kooymans.#"Roxanne" – 3:39#"Leather" – 5:01#"Tempting" – 3:43#"U-Turn Time" – 3:25...
(1978) US #204 - No Promises...No DebtsNo Promises...No DebtsNo Promises...No Debts is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1979 .-Track listing:all songs written by Rinus Gerritsen, Barry Hay, R...
(1979) - Prisoner of the NightPrisoner of the NightPrisoner of the Night is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1980 .-Track listing:all songs by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Long Blond Animal" – 3:36#"No for an Answer" – 4:13...
(1980) - CutCut (Golden Earring album)Cut is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1982 . The album spawned the hit song "Twilight Zone," which reached #1 in the Netherlands and #10 in the United States....
(1982) US #24 - N.E.W.S.N.E.W.S.N.E.W.S. is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1984 .-Side one:#"Clear Night Moonlight" - 3:25#"When the Lady Smiles" - 5:12#"Enough Is Enough" - 3:43#"Fist in Glove" - 3:27-Side two:...
(1984) US #107 - The HoleThe Hole (album)The Hole is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1986 . The band gave a free promotion concert in support of this album on the beach of Scheveningen for an audience of 185.000 people...
(1986) US #196 - Keeper of the FlameKeeper of the Flame (album)Keeper of the Flame is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1989 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Can Do That" – 4:23...
(1989) - Bloody BuccaneersBloody BuccaneersBloody Buccaneers is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1991 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted...
(1991) - Face ItFace ItFace It is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1994.-Track listing:All songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted.#"Angel" – 3:41#"Hold Me Now" – 3:42#"Liquid Soul" – 4:06...
(1994, partially acoustic) - Love SweatLove SweatLove Sweat is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1995 . The albums contains covers of other artists' songs.-Track listing:...
(1995, cover album) - Paradise in DistressParadise in DistressParadise in Distress is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1999 .-Track listing:#"Paradise in Distress" – 5:42#"Apocalypse" – 4:53...
(1999) - Millbrook U.S.A.Millbrook U.S.A.Millbrook U.S.A. is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 2003 . It was named after Millbrook, New York, where the band stayed to record the album.-Track listing:...
(2003) - TBA (2012 Album was recorded at London based State Of The Ark Studio)
Live albums
- LiveLive (Golden Earring album)Live is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1977 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Candy's Going Bad" – 5:06...
(1977, double album) US #203 - 2nd Live2nd Live2nd Live is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1981 .-CD 1:#"Don't Stop the Show"#"My Town"#"No for an Answer"#"Heartbeat"#"Save Your Skin"#"I Don't Wanna Be Nobody Else"#"Long Blond Animal"-CD 2:...
(1981, double album) - Something Heavy Going DownSomething Heavy Going DownSomething Heavy Going Down is a live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1984 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Long Blond Animal" – 6:16...
(1984) US #158 - The Naked TruthThe Naked Truth (Golden Earring album)The Naked Truth is a live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1992 . All songs were performed with acoustic instruments...
(1992, acoustic album) - Naked IINaked IINaked II is a live acoustic album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1997 .-Track listing:All songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted.#"Who Do You Love" – 3:22...
(1997, acoustic album) - Last Blast of the CenturyLast Blast of the CenturyLast Blast of the Century is a live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 2001 .-Track listing:all songs written by Barry Hay and George Kooymans, except where noted#"Just Like Vince Taylor" – 4:01...
(2000) - Naked III, Live at the Panama (2005, acoustic album)
- Live in Ahoy (2006)
Compilation albums
- Greatest Hits (1968, Polydor)
- The Best of Golden Earring (1970, US)
- Hearing Earring (1973)
- Story (1977)
- Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 (1981)
- The Very Best, Vol. 1 (1988)
- The Very Best, Vol. 2 (1988)
- The Continuing Story of Radar Love (1989)
- Radar Love (1992)
- Best of Golden Earring (1994, Europe only)
- The Complete Naked Truth (1998)
- 70s & 80s, Vol. 35 (1998)
- Greatest Hits (2000)
- The Devil Made Us Do It: 35 Years (2000)
- Singles 1965-1967 (2002)
- Bloody Buccaneers/Face It (2002)
- 3 Originals (2003)
- Collected (2009, triple CD)
Singles
- "Please Go" / "Chunk of Steel" (1965)
- "Lonely Everyday" / "Not to Find" (1965)
- "That Day" / "The Words I Need" (1966)
- "You Leave Me" / "Waiting for You" (1966)
- "Things Go Better" / "Rum and Coca-Cola" (1966)
- "Daddy Buy Me a Girl" / "What You Gonna Tell" (1966)
- "Don't Run Too Far" / "Wings" (1966)
- "In My House" / "Smoking Cigarettes" (1967)
- "Sound of the Screaming Day" / "She Won't Come to Me" (1967)
- "Together We Live Together We Love" / "I Wonder" (1967)
- "The Truth About Arthur" / "Gipsy Rhapsody" (1968)
- "I've Just Lost Somebody" / "The Truth About Arthur" (1968)
- "Dong-dong-di-ki-di-gi-dong" / "Wake Up - Breakfast!" (1968)
- "Just a Little Bit of Peace in My Heart" / "Remember My Friend" (1968)
- "Where Will I Be" / "It's Alright, But I Admit Could Be Better" (1969)
- "It's Alright, But I Admit Could Be Better" / "Song of a Devil's Servant" (1969)
- "Another 45 Miles" / "I Can't Get a Hold on Her" (1969)
- "Eight Miles HighEight Miles High"Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, and David Crosby and first released as a single on March 14, 1966 . The single managed to reach the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 30 of the UK Singles Chart...
" / "One High Road" (1970) - "Back Home" / "This Is the Time of the Year" (1970)
- "Holy Holy Life" / "Jessica" (1971)
- "She Flies on Strange Wings, Part 1 & 2" (1971)
- "Buddy Joe" / "Avalanche of Love" (1972)
- "Stand by Me" / "All Day Watcher" (1972)
- "Radar LoveRadar Love"Radar Love" is a song by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Music critic Bill Lamb rates this among his "top 10 driving songs" due to its lyrics about driving all night and its pulse-quickening, up-tempo beat. The single version of "Radar Love" reached #13 in the US...
" / "The Song Is Over" (1973) USA# 13 - "Instant Poetry" / "From Heaven From Hell" (1974)
- "Candy's Going Bad" / "She Flies on Strange Wings" (1974)USA# 91
- "Tons of Time" / "Love Is a Rodeo" (1975)
- "Ce Soir" / "Lucky Number" (1975)
- "The Switch" / "The Lonesome D.J." (1975)
- "Sleepwalkin'" / "Babylon" (1976)
- "To the Hilt" / "Violins" (1976)
- "Bombay" / "Faded Jeans" (1976)
- "Radar LoveRadar Love"Radar Love" is a song by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Music critic Bill Lamb rates this among his "top 10 driving songs" due to its lyrics about driving all night and its pulse-quickening, up-tempo beat. The single version of "Radar Love" reached #13 in the US...
" (live) / "Just Like Vince Taylor" (live) (1977) - "Movin' Down Life" / "Can't Talk Now" (1978)
- "Weekend Love" / "It's Only a Matter of Time" (1979)
- "I Do Rock 'n Roll" / "Sellin' Out" (1979)
- "Long Blond Animal" / "Triple Treat" (1980)
- "No for an Answer" / "Annie" (1980)
- "Slow Down" / "Heartbeat" (1981)
- "Twilight Zone" / "King Dark" (1982)US# 9 Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks 1
- "The Devil Made Me Do It" / "Shadow Avenue" (1982) US# 79
- "When the Lady SmilesWhen the Lady Smiles"When the Lady Smiles" is a 1984 song by Dutch band Golden Earring. It was the first single from their album N.E.W.S. . Following their top 10 "Twilight Zone", "When the Lady Smiles" was a U.S. chart disappointment, only reaching #76 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" / "Orwell's Year" (1984)US# 76 - "Clear Night Moonlight" / "Fist in Glove" (1984)
- "N.E.W.S." / "It's All Over" (1984)
- "Something Heavy Going Down" / "I'll Make It All Up to You" (1984)
- "Quiet Eyes" / "Gimme a Break" (1986)US# 31
- "Why Do I" / "Gimme a Break" (rock version) (1986)
- "Why Do I" / "Love In Motion" (1986)
- "They Dance" / "Love in Motion" (1986)
- "My Killer, My Shadow" / "My Killer, My Shadow" (alternative version) (1988)
- "Turn the World Around" / "You Gun My Love" (1989)
- "Distant Love" / "Nighthawks" (1989)
- "Going to the Run" / "Time Warp" (1991)
- "Temporary Madness" / "One Shot Away From Paradise" (1991)
- "'Pouring My Heart Out Again" / "Planet Blue" (1991)
- "Making Love to Yourself" / "In a Bad Mood" (1992)
- "Another 45 Miles (Live)" (1992)
- "Radar Love" / "Bloody Bucaneers" (1992)
- "I Can't Sleep Without You" (1992)
- "Long Blond Animal" (live - acoustic) / "Twilight Zone" (live - acoustic) / "Jangalane" (live-acoustic) / "Don't Stop the Show" (live - acoustic) (1993)
- "As Long as the Wind Blows" (live - acoustic) / "Please Go" (live - acoustic) / "Sound of the Screaming Day" (live - acoustic) (1993)
- "Johnny Make Believe" / "Minute by Minute" (1994)
- "Hold Me Now" / "Freedom Don't Last Forever" / "Livin' With Me (Ain't That Easy)" (1994)
- "Gotta See Jane" / "Try a Little TendernessTry a Little Tenderness"Try a Little Tenderness" is a love song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933...
" (1996) - "This Wheel's on Fire" / "My Little Red Book" (1996)
- "Burning Stuntman" / "Bombay" (1997)
- "The Devil Made Me Do It" [unplugged] / "Mood Indigo" (1998)
- "Paradise in Distress" / "Are You Receiving Me?" (1999)
- "Whisper in a Crowd" / "The Vanilla Queen" (1999)
- "Miles Away From Nowhere" (2000)
- "Yes! We're on Fire" / "Yes! We're on Fire" (orchestral version) (2000)
- "Albino Moon" (2003)
- "Colourblind" (2003)
- "I've Just Lost Somebody" (2005)
- "Angel" (2005)
Other references
- Biography by Golden Earring founder and bass player Rinus Gerritsen published on the band's website.
- Biographical books on the Golden Earring: "Haagsche Bluf" by Pieter Franssen, 1993, and "Rock die niet roest" by prof. Maarten Steenmeyer, 2005. Both titles are in Dutch.
- "The Story of Golden Earring" by Karin and Mechteld Beks, Picture publishers, an authorized biography published on the occasion of the band's 45th anniversary. Text in Dutch. (2005)
- Interviews with the band over the years, many of which can be traced back through the Golden Earring Museum website.
- "What happened in Golden Earring history on..." at Golden Earring Research Website.
External links
- Official website
- Radar Love 300+ cover versions of the song: U2, R.E.M., Santana, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, James Last and others
- Golden Earring Record Research
- Full colour Golden Earring discography
- Real audio of George Kooymans English interview for 'MusicMirror' (click on George's photo)
- Golden Earring Fansite
- Golden Earring(s) at WorldMusicDatabase