John Sykes, the renowned British rock guitarist known for his work with iconic bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, passed away at age 65.
A statement on his website said Sykes “passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer”.
The description described him as a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.” HeHe reportedly expressed his “sincere love and gratitude for his fans in his final days.”
Sykes contributed to two albums by Whitesnake and played a pivotal role in co-writing several of the band’s most iconic tracks, such as “Still Of The Night” and “Is This Love.”
His career commenced in 1980 with the heavy metal group Tygers Of Pan Tang, where he recorded two albums before joining Thin Lizzy in 1982.
In 1983, he contributed to the album Thunder and Lightning and later joined frontman Phil Lynott for a European tour with a distinct ensemble known as The Three Musketeers.
In 1984, he became a member of Whitesnake after being invited by the band’s founder and frontman, David Coverdale. He contributed to recording their Slide It In album and subsequently to their self-titled release in 1987, which achieved critical acclaim and commercial success.
Following his departure from Whitesnake, he launched two albums with his band, Blue Murder. Subsequently, he established a touring iteration of Thin Lizzy, which had ceased operations before Lynott’s passing in 1986.
The announcement on Sykes’s website stated: “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer.”
“He will be remembered by many as a man of exceptional musical talent. However, for those who did not know him personally, he was also a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic individual whose presence could illuminate any room.”
He consistently followed his path and championed those who were often overlooked. In his last moments, he appreciated and admired the loyal fans who supported him.
“The impact of his loss is significant, casting a sombre mood over those who knew him. However, there is hope that the light of his memory will help to alleviate the shadow of his absence.”
In a heartfelt tribute on X, Coverdale posted several photos capturing moments with Sykes during the peak of Whitesnake’s success.
“I just received the devastating news about John’s passing,” he stated.
“I condolences to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”
Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash took to social media to share a poignant image of Sykes in action, accompanied by a brief yet impactful message: “RIP”.
