John Sykes’ Passing
John Sykes, the famed guitarist known for his work with iconic rock bands such as Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has tragically passed away at the age of 65.
Sykes’ death was confirmed on his official Facebook page on Monday evening (January 20), revealing that he succumbed to cancer after a prolonged battle. His estate shared: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that John Sykes has passed away following a difficult struggle with cancer. He will be remembered by many for his extraordinary musical talent, but for those who had the privilege of knowing him personally, he was a compassionate, kind-hearted, and charismatic individual who could truly illuminate any space he occupied.”
“He certainly danced to the rhythm of his own drum and always stood up for the underprivileged. In his final days, he expressed his deep love and gratitude for his fans who had supported him through thick and thin. Although the weight of his absence is heavy and the atmosphere is somber, we hope the brilliance of his remembrance will help ease the shadows of his loss.”
Musical Legacy
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It is with great sadness that we announce that John Sykes has passed away after a difficult battle with cancer. He will…
Author: John Sykes on Monday, January 20, 2025
Sykes is most celebrated for his tenure with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, though he also gained fame as a member of Tygers of Pan Tang. Born in Reading, Sykes began his career with the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang and contributed to both of their 1981 albums. After experiencing disillusionment with the group, he departed Tygers and joined Thin Lizzy in 1982.
He remained with Thin Lizzy until their dissolution in 1984, playing a vital role in their acclaimed 1983 album, Thunder and Lightning. Sykes joined Whitesnake shortly thereafter and was instrumental in the band’s first major hit, “Slide It In.” He also penned and recorded tracks for the band’s self-titled seventh album, released in 1987, though frontman David Coverdale dismissed the entire lineup prior to its launch.
Following the firing, Sykes formed Blue Murder alongside bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, and later embarked on a solo career in 1994. In 1996, he made a return to the newly reformed Thin Lizzy, leading the group until 2009.
In 2011, Sykes revealed plans to form a new band with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, but the project did not come to fruition as Sykes was subsequently replaced by Richie Kotzen, leading to the formation of The Winery Dogs with bassist Billy Sheehan.
In his later years, Sykes delved into several solo projects, with his most recent releases being “Dawning of a Brand New Day” and “Out Alive” in 2021—his first solo material in twenty years and ultimately, his final works.
Despite leaving a mark in rock and roll history that resonated with his contributions to Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Sykes’ musical legacy also fostered the emergence of other metal titans. The Tygers of Pan Tang played a significant role in paving the way for what would become one of the largest metal bands: Metallica.
In 1983, drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement stating: “Drummer looking for other musicians to play with – Tygers from Pan Tang, Diamond Head, Iron Maiden.” Responding to this, James Hetfield joined him, leading to the eventual formation of Metallica.
Following the announcement of John Sykes’ passing, Whitesnake expressed their condolences on social media. David Coverdale shared: “Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing… My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans…”
