Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes has died, aged 65

John Sykes, guitarist for acclaimed rock bands such as Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy has died at the age of 65.

Sykes’ death was announced via his official Facebook page on Monday night (January 20), confirming that he had succumbed to cancer, which he had been battling for several years. His estate wrote: “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. 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.”

“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.”

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It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be…

Posted by John Sykes on Monday, January 20, 2025

Sykes was best known for his time with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, though he was also celebrated for his time with Tygers of Pan Tang. The English guitarist, who was born in Reading, got his start in the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang and featured on both of their 1981 records. After growing frustrated with the band, he quit Tygers and joined Thin Lizzy in 1982.

John Sykes remained with Thin Lizzy through to their split in 1984 and featured on their lauded 1983 album ‘Thunder and Lightning’. Sykes joined Whitesnake in early 1984 and featured on the band’s first commercial hit album ‘Slide It In’. Skyes has also written and recorded parts for the band’s self-titled seventh album, which was released in 1987, though frontman David Coverdale had fired the entirety of the band before its release.

Upon his firing, Sykes formed Blue Murder, which featured bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice before going solo in 1994. Two years later, Sykes rejoined the newly reformed Thin Lizzy and fronted the band until 2009.

Thin Lizzy’s John Sykes. Credit: Pete Cronin/Redferns

In 2011, Sykes revealed that he was forming a new band with then ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. However, the project never came to proper fruition, and Skyes was replaced by Richie Kotzen, with the band then going on to include Billy Sheehan and being named The Winery Dogs.

In the remaining years, Sykes dabbled in several solo projects, last releasing the ‘Dawning of a Brand New Day’ and ‘Out Alive’, in 2021. The two songs marked his first solo material in two decades, and were his last releases.

Though etched in rock ‘n’ roll history for his contributions to Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Sykes’ legacy in music has also led to the birth of other metal heavyweights. Tygers of Pan Tang have been credited with the formation of one metal’s biggest band: Metallica.

In 1983, drummer Lars Ulrich posted an ad in a newspaper that read: “Drummer looking for other musicians to jam with – Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head, Iron Maiden.” James Hetfield would go on to respond to the add and the two soon formed Metallica.

Following the news of John Sykes’ death, Whitesnake took to social media to pay tribute to their late guitarist. David Coverdale wrote: “Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing…My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans…”

Eddie Trunk, a rock and metal radio personality and friend of Sykes, wrote: “Devastating shocking news! As most know John was not only a friend, but always one of my favourite guitarists. Stunned by this. What a loss. Condolences to his family and friends. Crushed. RIP John Sykes.”

Devastating shocking news! As most know John was not only a friend, but always one of my favorite guitarists. Stunned by this. What a loss. Condolences to his family and friends. Crushed. RIP John Sykes pic.twitter.com/magE63l3wr

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) January 20, 2025

Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman wrote: “His work with Tygers of Pan Tang was by far my favourite of the NWOBHM [New Wave of British Heavy Metal]. A wonderful guitarist.”

Very sad to hear of John Sykes passing. His work with Tygers of Pan Tang was by far my favorite of the NWOBHM. A wonderful guitarist.

— Marty Friedman (@marty_friedman) January 20, 2025

R.I.P. #JohnSykes. A huge talent and huge influence. pic.twitter.com/SsnDklNb0C

— Winger (@WingerTheBand) January 21, 2025

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