George Kooymans was the guitarist and co-founder of the band that became The Netherlands biggest band passed away on July 22nd. . For those not familiar, aside from a few hits, the band that became Golden Earring was formed in 1961 as ‘The Tornados’, and by 1970 had dropped the ‘s’ from their name ‘Golden Earrings‘, and had the line up that would see the band until the end, in 2021 when it was announced the band would finish after Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS. Kooymans, Barry Hay (vocals, flute, guitar), Rinus Gerritsen (bass, keyboards), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums), played together from 1970, with their last performance from 2019 being released as ‘You Know We Love You – Live In Ahoy 2019‘.
George Kooymans was the band’s guitarist, as well as major songwriter, backing singer, and also sang lead on a number of songs throughout the band’s history. Kooymans co-wrote the band’s biggest known worldwide hit “Radar Live”, with singer Barry Hay in 1973, and he also penned the band’s massive 1982 comeback hit “Twilight Zone”. He sang lead on such classics as “Silver Ships”, “Buddy Joe”, “Lonesome DJ”, and “Hold Me Now”. Aside from the 26 Golden Earring studio albums, dating back to 1965 (Just Ear-rings), Kooymans also released solo albums in 1971 and ’87, and made 2 albums with Frank Carillo, the most recent Mirage, released in 2022.
Expanded edion of the 1975 album; the follow-up of the band’s international breakthrough album Moontan
Remastered from the first-generation IBC Studios master tapes
Featuring unreleased track from the Switch sessions
Featuring single edits, B-side and various previously unreleased outtakes and early versions/mixes
Including 16-page booklet with essay, memorabilia, photos
Founded in 1961 by George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen, Dutch rock band Golden Earring (or Golden Earrings, until 1969) started off as a beat band, experimented as a psychedelic quartet and finally became a heavy rock group. Their ninth album Moontan (1973) hit the international album charts and is the band’s most successful album in the United States, being the only Golden Earring album to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Switch is the tenth studio album by Golden Earring, released in 1975 as the follow-up of the band’s international breakthrough album Moontan. Switch actually marked a switch for Golden Earring, as it was more influenced by funk and prog than any of the band’s previous or subsequent releases. Lead single “Kill Me (Ce Soir)” perfectly demonstrates how Golden Earring experimented with a new sound.
Unreleased Golden Earring track sees the light of day
Apart from a variety of previously unreleased outtakes and rough mixes, this 50th anniversary reissue of Switch features an unreleased Golden Earring track “Action Alice & Bow-Tie Basil”. Recorded during the Switch sessions, this is the first time the band has approved a previously unreleased finished studio track for release. All tracks have been 24 bit/192 kHz remastered from the original master tapes. This expanded CD edition of Switch is the sixth instalment in a special series of remastered & expanded albums by Golden Earring, overseen by Red Bullet catalogue and band archivist Wouter Bessels.
TRACKLISTING
1. Intro Plus Minus Absurdio 2. Love Is A Rodeo 3. The Switch 4. Kill Me (Ce Soir) 5. Tons Of Time 6. Daddy’s Gonna Save My Soul 7. Troubles & Hassles 8. The Lonesome D.J.
BONUS TRACKS: 9. Lucky Number 10. Action Alice & Bow-Tie Basil 11. Kill Me (Ce Soir) (7-inch single version) 12. The Switch (7-inch single version) 13. Intro Plus Minus Absurdio (rough mix) 14. Love Is A Rodeo (rough mix) 15. The Switch (rough mix) 16. Tons Of Time (rough mix) 17. Troubles & Hassles (rough mix) 18. Love Is A Rodeo (instrumental rough mix)
Switch (remastered & expanded) is released by Red Bullet Productions on 25 April 2025 and available through all renowned worldwide music dealers and online shops, plus digital channels (Spotify, Apple Music, a.o.). A remastered vinyl edition of Switch (remastered & expanded) will be released by Music On Vinyl in late 2025.
Mirage is the 2nd album released by the partnership of George Kooymans (Golden Earring) and American singer/guitarist/songwriter Frank Carillo. This album was recorded over a number of years, prior to Kooymans ALS diagnosis that has left him unable to play and forcing his band Golden Earring to retire. However, this collection of songs will come as a nice surprise to Kooyman’s fans who assumed they’d not hear anything new from the legendary Dutch guitarist (as well as singer/songwriter). Mirage is also a follow up the duo’s 2010 album On Location. I haven’t got or heard the entire On Location disc (and judging by the availability and prices online – won’t be getting it anytime soon). Frank Carillo has been active releasing music since the late ’60s, his earliest bands being Hot Soup, as well as Doc Holliday along with Bob Mayo. Carillo would also play on the first few Peter Frampton solo albums, (Mayo would play with Frampton for decades).
Anyway, back to Mirage…. Golden Earring fans may know of Frank Carillo from his involvement on the band’s 2003 album Millbrook, USA. and 2012’s Tits N Ass , where he played slide guitar and had a few co-writing credits. Mirage features 11 tracks, 9 of which were co-written by Kooymans & Carillo, and recorded at a few studios in the USA and the Netherlands.
For the most part Mirage is a collection of largely acoustic based, roots rock, a bit of blues, and a bit of a country feel on many tracks as well. The lead off (and) title track is easily likeable, a smooth acoustic based country flavored tune highlighted by slide guitar and lead vocals from George, as well as vocals from Casey Kooymans, along backing vocals from Frank, who also adds piano, and there’s a bit of banjo provided by Paul Orofino. There’s a few good upbeat cuts like “If I Go There”, “Den Of Thieves” and “Crystal Cracking”, which is probably the most ‘classic rock’ track here, with it’s slide guitar and hammond organ, and Frank’s vocals.
The best picks for me tho’ are a few of the ballads, particularly “I Wish You Were Still Here”, which is just a very memorable song – if there was a hit single from this album, this would be it. As well the short “Christmas In Gaza” stands out as well. Mirage also features the light country rock tune “Ticket To Heaven” written by Eddie Seville, this one includes violin. The ‘bonus’ track here is “Seasons”, which is just George and John Sonneveld (who programs the drums and bass, adds flute and hammond organ) . It is a song George wrote decades ago and gave to Dutch band Earth & Fire, who had their first hit with it in 1969.
Lots of excellent lead vocals and shared vocals here that go so well together, great productions, and a few guests – such as Rinus Gerritsen on couple of tracks. Would be curious to know if Kooymans and Carillo might have anything left in the can. For Golden Earring fans that won’t be expecting anything further from the band Mirage is definitely something you’ll want to pick up.
Outsider Rock 