Heavy Metal Guitar Legend John Sykes Passes Away at 65

Celebrated heavy metal guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work in iconic 80’s acts Thin Lizzy Whitesnake, has died at age 65.

The sad news was shared on the axeman’s official social pages, confirming he’d lost a battle with cancer.

“We hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence”

“It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer,” the official statement reads. “He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.”

The statement continued: “He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these 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.”

John Sykes is being remembered for his exceptional ability to craft engaging and memorable hard rock guitar riffs and solos. His songwriting played a pivotal role in the success of Whitesnake, with him co-writing all but two tracks off their 1987 self-titled album, which went eight-times platinum.

Hits like ‘Is This Love’ and ‘Still of the Night’ showcase Sykes’ prowess on the instrument, earning him recognition as one of the most influential guitarists of the 80’s hard rock scene.

Despite not earning the same global fame as his contemporaries like Eddie Van Halen or Zakk Wylde, Sykes’ contributions to the genre are regarded as being just as impactful.

After being dismissed from Whitesnake post-1987, Sykes joined Blue Murder until the band’s breakup in 1994. He later rejoined Thin Lizzy in 1996, taking on vocal duties until 2009.

He also later founded Blue Murder, a short-lived project with a dedicated cult following, which further enabled him to showcase his virtuosity on the instrument.

RIP.

Further Reading

Whitesnake’s Bernie Marsden Has Died Aged 72

Former My Chemical Romance Drummer Bob Bryar Found Dead At 44

REVIEW: KISS, Motley Crue And Thin Lizzy, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne 2013