The iconic British rock guitarist known for his contributions to Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, and Blue Murder, John Sykes, has passed away at the age of 65 following a protracted battle with cancer.
A statement released on his official website confirmed the news, describing Sykes as a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.”
In his final days, he reportedly expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support.
Sykes began his musical journey in 1980 with the heavy metal band Tygers Of Pan Tang, contributing to two of their albums before joining the legendary Thin Lizzy in 1982.
He featured prominently on the band’s Thunder and Lightning album and accompanied frontman Phil Lynott on a European tour with The Three Musketeers.
In 1984, Sykes joined Whitesnake at the invitation of David Coverdale, the band’s founder and frontman.
His guitar work was instrumental on parts of Slide It In and the self-titled 1987 album, which brought critical acclaim and commercial success. Tracks like *Still Of The Night* and *Is This Love*, co-written by Sykes, remain among Whitesnake’s most celebrated songs.
After leaving Whitesnake, he formed the group Blue Murder and released two albums. He later spearheaded a touring version of Thin Lizzy after the band had disbanded following Lynott’s death in 1986.
David Coverdale, reflecting on Sykes’ death, shared old photos of their time together on social media, writing, “Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing… My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans…”
Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also paid tribute by posting a picture of Sykes performing with a simple “RIP” message.
The statement on Sykes’ website read, in part, “While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood sombre, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”
Known for his technical brilliance and emotive guitar solos, Sykes leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the rock and heavy metal genres. His fans, collaborators, and fellow musicians will continue to celebrate his life and contributions to music for years to come.
