Overview

• Kooymans and bassist Rinus Gerritsen founded Golden Earring as teenagers in The Hague in the early 1960s and sustained the group’s core lineup for over five decades.
• He co-wrote the hard-rock anthem “Radar Love” in 1973 and contributed writing and shared lead vocals on the 1982 Top 10 hit “Twilight Zone.”
• After an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis in late 2020, he retired from performing and the band disbanded its original formation.
• His passing has prompted reflection on a career that yielded more than 20 Dutch top-10 singles and widespread influence through covers and film placements.
• The planned January 2026 concert will feature surviving members alongside guest musicians and channel all proceeds toward ALS research.