John Sykes, Guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Dies at 65
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John Sykes, known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake during the 1980s, has passed away at 65 after battling cancer. He helped write several songs on Whitesnake’s most successful album, including the hit “Is This Love.”
A statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday (Jan. 20) announced his death. It said, “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer.” The post added that he would be remembered for his exceptional musical talent and as a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man. “He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.”
In his final days, Sykes expressed his love and gratitude for his fans who supported him throughout the years. “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,” the note read.
Whitesnake’s David Coverdale shared his condolences on X, writing, “Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing…My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans,” along with photos of his former bandmate.
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Early Musical Career and Joining Thin Lizzy
Born in Reading, England, in 1959, Sykes began playing guitar as a teenager. He joined a band called Streetfighter, and then Tygers of Pan Tang, but left in 1982 before recording his first solo single.
Sykes co-wrote and recorded his 1982 single “Please Don’t Leave Me” with Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott. Later, he joined Thin Lizzy as a guitarist and played on their final studio album, 1983’s “Thunder and Lightning,” where he co-wrote the track “Cold Sweat.” Reflecting on the album’s heavier sound, Sykes said in a 2008 interview, “It was a little heavier and I think that was something that I’d brought to the table.”
Joining Thin Lizzy was a dream for Sykes since he had been a fan of the band. “I was young and what I lived for was being involved in rock ‘n’ roll,” he said. “That was a wonderful time in my life, and I was only about 22 years old at the time.” The band’s 1983 breakup after a farewell tour was hard for Sykes. “It was definitely a kick to the guts. I didn’t really think it was going to end and I don’t think Phil really thought it was going to end either.”
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Success with Whitesnake and Unexpected Departure
Sykes joined Whitesnake to record new guitar parts for the U.S. version of the group’s 1984 album “Slide It In” and their next studio album, the self-titled “Whitesnake,” released in 1987. This album became Whitesnake’s biggest success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and spending 76 weeks on the chart.
The single “Is This Love,” co-written by Coverdale and Sykes, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. It was the second biggest hit from the album, only behind “Here I Go Again” (co-written by Coverdale and Bernie Marsden), which reached No. 1. Another song from the album, “Still of the Night” (also by Coverdale and Sykes), didn’t perform well on the Hot 100, ranking at No. 79, but gained popularity on MTV despite Sykes not appearing in the video.
Although Sykes co-wrote most of the album’s songs, this was his last project with Whitesnake. Coverdale unexpectedly fired him and the other band members before the album’s release. Reflecting on this, Coverdale said in a 2023 interview with Metal Edge, “As you know, things went squirrely between us, which was unfortunate. But John was and is an incredible talent. Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn’t work personally.”
Sykes’ Departure from Whitesnake and Solo Ventures
In a 2017 interview with Rock Candy, Sykes shared his side of the story. He said, “David said nothing to any of us about having decided to kick us out of the band,” and he learned about it from John Kalodner, then A&R at Geffen Records.
After Whitesnake, Sykes formed Blue Murder, releasing two studio albums and one live album in the early ’90s. He later focused on his solo career, releasing five albums between 1995 and 2004. His last full-length album, “Bad Boy Live!,” was released in 2004. In 2021, Sykes released two singles, “Dawning of a Brand New Day” and “Out Alive.”
