Golden Earring is one of the best known rockbands of the Netherlands and has been active for over 40 years. They are the world’s longest surviving rock band, having been formed a year before The Rolling Stones.

In 1961 George Kooymans,(age 13) and his neighbour Rinus Gerritsen formed the Tornados in Den Haag. Accompanied by Freddy van Hilst (drums) and Hans van Herwerden (guitar) they mainly played The Shadow covers. In 1963 they changed their name to The Golden Ear-Rings (there was a British band called the Tornados). The name was taken from a song title by Peggy Lee. In 1969 they changed to The Golden Earring and in 1970 to Golden Earring.
Current members are: Barry Hay (lead vocals/guitar/flute), Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums), George Kooymans (guitar/vocals)Rinus Gerritsen (bass/harmonica/keyboards)

Their most famous single Radar Love was released in 1973, and is frequently voted one of the greatest driving songs of all time. The last CD they released was Naked III - Live at the Panama. This is a live recording of an acoustic concert at the Panama Club, Amsterdam. The last studio album released is Millbrook USA, named after the place they recorded this album in 2003.

They are currently working on a new studio album. When it will be released…Perhaps 2008 or 2009, because the band members decided not to rush it. ‘The more time we take, the better the songs will be’, according to Barry Hay. Their 1984 hit, “When The Lady Smiles”, was being used by Hillary Clinton’s campaign team when she entered a venue during the early stages of the 2008 USA presidential campaign.