Golden Earring&x27;s Emotional Farewell: Rock Legends End Era After Five SoldOut Shows Devon ForwardThu, February 19, 2026 at 2:59 AM UTC 0 (Didier Messens/Redferns) It's the end of an era for the beloved Dutch rock band Golden Earring after the group completed five soldout performances in their home country of the Netherlands at the end of January 2026. The beloved band officially called it quits with an emotional goodbye, made even more significant due to the fact that the band's vocalistguitarist, George Kooymans, died of ALS in July 2025.
Golden Earring's Emotional Farewell: Rock Legends End Era After Five Sold-Out Shows
Devon ForwardThu, February 19, 2026 at 2:59 AM UTC
0
(Didier Messens/Redferns)
It's the end of an era for the beloved Dutch rock band Golden Earring after the group completed five sold-out performances in their home country of the Netherlands at the end of January 2026.
The beloved band officially called it quits with an emotional goodbye, made even more significant due to the fact that the band's vocalist-guitarist, George Kooymans, died of ALS in July 2025.
Fans, friends, colleagues and more came out to the monumental final concerts, with the media production company FabriQ Media Group documenting the historic moment. Sharing some photos from the concerts, the company wrote, "Tonight marks the end of an era. After five sold-out shows of Golden Earring - One Last Night at Rotterdam Ahoy, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the greatest Dutch rock band of all time."
"We are honored to have been part of this legendary farewell and proud to have captured the emotional rollercoaster with a 17-camera setup for the band and for future generations!" the message concluded.
The stunning photos showed off the huge venue that was filled to the brim with excited fans. Golden Earring performed at Rotterdam Ahoy, which can fit approximately 16,500 visitors and has hosted plenty of other major musical groups in the past, including Pink Floyd and Queen.
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The band said goodbye to performing after over 60 years of great music and shows, with Golden Earring's biggest hits including "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone." Along with the late Kooymans, the band consisted of Barry Hay, Rinus Gerritsen, and Cesar Zuiderwijk.
Related: Hitmaking Classic Rock Guitarist George Kooymans Dead at 77—"I Was a Massive Fan"
Golden Earring originally announced their disbandment in 2021 as Kooymans' ALS progressed. The group shared the news with the Dutch newspaper AD, with Kooymans saying, translated from Dutch, "I am indeed ill, I have ALS. It's very bad news, and I'm not really in the mood to say much more about it... It's a progressive disease. Unfortunately, performing is no longer possible."
When asked if the band would go on with a new member in Kooymans place, Hay and Zuiderwijk said, "That's never going to happen." The latter went on, "We're a group of four friends who are irreplaceable. A new band member? That wouldn't be right."
Golden Earring made an exception with their final five shows, as the farewell performances were actually Kooymans' idea before he died.
Related: 2010s Heavy Metal Band Suddenly Ends Concert After 'Scary' Emergency on Stage
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: February 19, 2026 at 01:09AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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