Rinus Gerritsen | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Marinus Gerritsen |
Born | The Hague, Netherlands | 9 August 1946
Genres | Rock |
Occupation(s) | Bassist, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Bass guitar, Keyboards |
Years active | 1961–present |
Marinus Gerritsen (born 9 August 1946) 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. [1]
In 1961, Gerritsen and his neighbour George Kooymans formed a rock duo. [2] They originally called themselves "The Tornados", but changed their name to "The Golden Earrings" when they learnt of The Tornados, a UK instrumental group who had just had a hit with "Telstar". [3] The name "the Golden Earrings" was taken from an instrumental called "Golden Earrings" performed by the British group the Hunters, [4] for whom they served as opening and closing act. Initially a pop-rock band with Frans Krassenburg on lead vocals and Jaap Eggermont on drums, the Golden Earrings had a hit with their debut single "Please Go", recorded in 1965. [3] [5] After two albums, Barry Hay joined on lead vocals permanently, and by 1970, Sieb Warner had been replaced by Cesar Zuiderwijk, and the principal lineup (that would last for fifty years) was finalised.
They achieved worldwide fame with their international hit songs "Radar Love" in 1973, which went to number one on the Dutch chart, reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, and went to number thirteen on the United States chart, [5] [6] "Twilight Zone" in 1982, and "When the Lady Smiles" in 1984. [5] During their career they had nearly 30 top-ten singles on the Dutch charts and released 25 studio albums.
In 1979, Gerritsen released his first solo album, in collaboration with Michael van Dijk. [2] As a producer, Rinus has produced albums for Herman Brood and the band Urban Heroes. In 1985, Gerritsen opened the Rock Palace music store with Zuiderwijk. [7] Rinus also writes articles for Dutch music magazine De Bassist.
Steve Harris of Iron Maiden counts Gerritsen as an important influence. [1]
On 5 February 2021, the band's manager announced to the Dutch press that their active career was over due to George Kooymans' serious illness. [8]
Marinus Gerritsen was born in The Hague in 1946. He has a brother, Rob, who is three years older and is the manager for Golden Earring, doing bookings and administration for the band. [7] His sister Milly is married to Golden Earring member George Kooymans. [7] Rinus is a Vegetarian and teetotal since the 1980s. [9] He lives with his wife in The Hague.
His first own bass guitar (brand name Darwin bass) was built by his father. Gerritsen was the first Dutch pop musician to own a Danelectro bass guitar. [2] He used this guitar until it was stolen during Golden Earring's American tour in 1977, after which his father made him a new one. This white double neck is a combination of a Danelectro and a Fender. [2] [10] He has also used a Vox Humana RG Longscale Bass, Vox Humana Semi-Hollow Bass Guitar, Rickenbacker 4001, Fender Jazz Bass, and the Fender Jazz Bass V. [10]
Golden Earring was a Dutch rock band, founded in 1961 in The Hague as The Tornados. They achieved worldwide fame with their international hit songs "Radar Love" in 1973, which went to number one on the Dutch chart, reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, and went to number thirteen on the United States chart, "Twilight Zone" in 1982, and "When the Lady Smiles" in 1984. During their career they had nearly 30 top-ten singles on the Dutch charts and released 25 studio albums.
Golden Earring is the self-titled album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1970. Fans often refer to it as Wall of Dolls due to the cover artwork. This is the first Golden Earring album with drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk as a member. From that time, all four members of the band on this album have remained in the lineup.
Seven Tears is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1971. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Together is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1972. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Switch is the tenth album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1975.
Live is the first live album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1977. It was recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London on March 25, 1977.
Grab It for a Second is an album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released in 1978.
No Promises...No Debts is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1979. In the U.S. the album was released with a different cover photo showing the group standing around.
Prisoner of the Night is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1980. In the US, the album was titled Long Blond Animal.
2nd Live is the second live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in May 1981. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Something Heavy Going Down is the third live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1984.
Keeper of the Flame is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1989. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Bloody Buccaneers is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1991.
Face It is an album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1994. The album was not issued in the U.S.
The Naked Truth is the fourth live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1992. All songs were performed with acoustic instruments. The album has been released over the decade with additional tracks under the titles The Complete Naked Truth and Fully Naked.
Paradise in Distress is the twenty-third album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 1999. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Last Blast of the Century is the sixth live album by Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring, released in 2000. The album was not issued in the U.S.
Cornelis Johannes "Cesar" Zuiderwijk, is a Dutch drummer. He is best known as the drummer of the Dutch rock band Golden Earring from 1970 until their retirement in 2021.
George Jan Kooymans is a Dutch guitarist and vocalist. He is best known for his work with the Dutch group Golden Earring. Kooymans wrote "Twilight Zone", the group's only top 10 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Album Tracks chart.
Tits 'n Ass is the twenty-fifth and final studio album by Dutch rock band Golden Earring, released on 11 May 2012. It was their first studio album since 2003's Millbrook U.S.A., but was not issued in the U.S. It was the group's final album before their 2021 breakup.