The music world is in mourning following the heartbreaking news that John Sykes, the legendary guitarist known for his work with Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, has passed away at the age of 65.
John Sykes, whose guitar riffs and solos helped define a generation of rock music, succumbed to cancer, as confirmed by a heartfelt statement on his verified social media accounts.
‘It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer,’ the statement read.
The post also honoured Sykes as ‘a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.’ It continued, ‘He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.’
‘While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood [sombre], we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.’
The announcement of his death shocked the rock community, leaving band members, fans, and fellow musicians reeling from the loss of such an iconic figure.
‘Oh no! This is terrible news! I was just listening to Thin Lizzy’s Thunder and Lightning album this weekend! [He is] one of my favourite guitar players ever! I am in shock. Not much to say, I am simply stunned and saddened. Such a huge loss. Thank you so much for the great music and years of inspiration. Rest in peace, JS,’ commented one fan on Facebook.
‘[This is] such sad news. He was one of the best ever to do it…absolute legend. Rest in peace,’ wrote another.
‘John has been with me through his music for many years and also inspired my own music. We have lost a truly great musician and songwriter. My condolences go out to his family and friends,’ said a third fan.
David Coverdale, Whitesnake’s founder, also took to social media to express his condolences, sharing photos and memories of their time together, underscoring the shock and sadness felt by those who knew Sykes personally and professionally.
‘Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing … My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans,’ he wrote.
Carmine Appice also paid homage to his late Blue Murder bandmate, reflecting on their shared memories and musical achievements, writing, ‘We played such great music and had such great times together. John’s playing, writing and singing were amazing … I loved him like a brother.’
‘We lived close to each other when we were in Blue Murder [and] we hung out every day. He was an amazing guitarist and together with Tony Franklin on bass, we had a great rock trio. He will be missed.’
Sykes first made his mark in music with The Tygers of Pan Tang in 1980, but it was his audition for Thin Lizzy that catapulted him into the spotlight.
Although the band was already well-established at the time, Sykes’s contributions to their farewell tour and the albums Thunder and Lightning and Life were significant, leaving an indelible mark on their legacy.
He then joined Whitesnake and played for the group’s album Slide It In. Sykes’s tenure with Whitesnake saw him co-writing some of the band’s most enduring hits, including Still of the Night and Is This Love.
His influence on the band’s sound was profound, yet, in a twist of fate that stunned many, Sykes was ousted from Whitesnake along with bassist Neil Murray and drummer Aynsley Dunbar before the release of the album that featured his work.
Sykes then formed Blue Murder with Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice.
At YourLifeChoices, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of John Sykes around the world.
What are your favourite John Sykes works? Have you been to one of his live performances? Let us celebrate the life of a music icon in the comments section.
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