John Sykes From Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake Passed Away At 65

John Sykes, the well-known guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, died at the age of 65 after battling cancer. Fans and other musicians alike remember him for his extraordinary talent and captivating presence, and his passing has had a significant impact on the music industry.

A Musician Who Stood Out

A man who genuinely impacted everyone he encountered, Sykes was more than just a guitar legend. “He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent, but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room,” said a statement. “He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.”

In the early 1980s, Sykes first gained notoriety as a member of Thin Lizzy, contributing to the group’s 1983 album Thunder and Lightning, which was their last studio album with frontman Phil Lynott. He then joined Whitesnake, where his skills contributed to the development of the band’s recognizable sound in the middle of the 1980s. His contributions to Whitesnake’s 1987 self-titled album, which featured the worldwide hit song “Is This Love,” solidified his legacy in the rock genre.

Tensions Behind the Success

While Sykes’ musical chemistry with Whitesnake’s frontman David Coverdale was undeniable, their personal relationship was more complicated. “John was and is an incredible talent,” Coverdale later commented. “Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn’t work personally. The truth of the matter is no matter how incredible of an album that we made together, we were unable to connect as people.” Despite this, Sykes’ contributions to Whitesnake’s success remain a significant part of their legacy.

A Legacy of Music and Gratitude

In 1996, Sykes returned to Thin Lizzy when the band reunited, taking over as vocalist. He continued to honor Phil Lynott’s memory, often speaking about how much he loved performing Lynott’s music. “You know, we go out and pay our respects to Phil Lynott,” Sykes said in 1999. “He wrote damn good songs. It’s just a great pleasure to go out and play and think of him.”

Before joining Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Sykes was a member of Tygers of Pan Tang. He then joined up with drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tony Franklin to form Blue Murder. Albums like Bad Boy Live helped him succeed in his solo career as well! (2004) and Dedicated to Phil Lynott: Screaming Blue Murder (1994).

In his final days, Sykes expressed deep gratitude to his fans. “In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years,” the statement revealed. “While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.” His legacy will forever be remembered by the countless fans he touched with his music and his heart.