The British hard rock guitarist, who played in numerous bands during his career, died of cancer.
John Sykes, British rock guitarist known in particular for his participation in the groups Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died. A message published on its official website Monday January 20 mentions “a battle fought vigorously against cancer”. He was 65 years old.
“He will be remembered by many as a man of exceptional musical talent,” the text continues. “But to those who knew him personally, he was a caring, kind and charismatic man, whose presence lit up a room.”
David Coverdale, founding member of Whitesnake, published on X (formerly Twitter) a series of photos of him and John Sykes at the time of their collaboration. “I have just heard the terrible news…” he wrote. “My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans…”
Slash, guitarist of the group Guns N’ Roses, also paid tribute to the memory of John Sykes by publishing a photo of him on stage on Instagram, accompanied by the words “Rest in peace”.
From groups to groups
Born on July 29, 1959 in Reading, west London, John Sykes became passionate about the guitar as a teenager. After a first experience in a group called Streetfighter, he joined the metal group Tygers of Pan Tang in the early 1980s, as detailed in the Guardian.
After two albums with them, he joined the ranks of the hard rock group Thin Lizzy in 1982. He played on Thunder and Lightningtheir final album, released in 1983. It was only the following year that he began his adventure with Whitesnake, invited by David Coverdale.
-Here again, he participated in the creation of two albums. Notably their eponymous record released in 1987. According to the BBC, John Sykes co-wrote some of the group’s most iconic songs, such as Still of the Night et Is This Love?.
But their collaboration only lasts for a short time. In an interview with Rock Candy in 2017 and relayed by CNN, John Sykes accused David Coverdale of having fired all of the band’s musicians before the album was even released, and of having recruited a new lineup to leave defend the record on tour.
“David didn’t say anything to any of us about his decision to kick us out of the group,” he said. “I was furious.”
Solo career
John Sykes subsequently formed his own band, Blue Murder, before embarking on a solo career. His last studio album in his name, Nuclear Cowboywas released in the year 2000.
“He lived his life at the pace he chose,” continues the message published on his official website. “During his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude to his fans, who stood by him all these years.”
