Renowned guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has passed away at the age of 65. The news was confirmed on Sykes’ Facebook page, where a statement shared by his team described him as a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.”
Sykes began his music career in the late 1970s, playing with Streetfighter and Tygers Of Pan Tang before joining Thin Lizzy in 1982. He played on several albums, including Thunder And Lightning, before leaving the band to join Whitesnake in 1984.
As a member of Whitesnake, Sykes contributed guitar parts to their hit album Slide It In, which sold over six million copies worldwide. However, his relationship with lead singer David Coverdale was complicated, and he left the band soon after its release.
Sykes went on to form Blue Murder, releasing several albums before disbanding due to label issues. He later formed a new touring version of Thin Lizzy and released solo material until his final comeback in 2021, when he released two singles that hinted at further music.
Sykes’ passing marks the end of an era for rock fans, who will remember him as a talented guitarist with a distinctive style.
Source: https://www.loudersound.com/news/john-sykes-rip