British rock guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. A statement released on his official website confirmed the news and described him as a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man” whose presence “lit up the room.” In his final days, he expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for his fans.
Sykes was a key figure in Whitesnake, appearing on two of the band’s albums and co-writing some of their most iconic songs, such as “Still of the Night” and “Is This Love.” His music career began in 1980 with the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, where he recorded two albums before joining Thin Lizzy in 1982. He played on their final studio album, Thunder and Lightning, before touring with Phil Lynott in a band called The Three Musketeers.
In 1984, Sykes joined Whitesnake at the invitation of David Coverdale, contributing to the Slide It In album and later their highly successful self-titled 1987 release. After leaving Whitesnake, he formed the band Blue Murder and released two albums. Sykes also later revived Thin Lizzy for a touring version of the band, following the death of Phil Lynott in 1986.
The statement from his official website shared that Sykes would be remembered not only for his exceptional musical talent but also for his kindness and loyalty to his fans. It read, “While the impact of his loss is profound, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”
David Coverdale paid tribute on social media, sharing photos of himself and Sykes from their time in Whitesnake, expressing his condolences to Sykes’s family, friends, and fans. Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also honored Sykes with a simple tribute, posting a photo of him performing and writing, “RIP.”