John Sykes, the legendary English guitarist known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. His family released a statement saying he will be remembered as a man with exceptional musical talent and a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic personality. The news of Sykes’ passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and fans.
Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing…My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans…🙏✨🙏✨⭐️✨🙏✨🙏 pic.twitter.com/oOtvcOD1by
— Whitesnake (@Whitesnake) January 20, 2025
David Coverdale of Whitesnake expressed his condolences on social media, saying, “Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing…My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans.” Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater and Doug Aldrich, who also played with Whitesnake, shared their memories and sorrow at the loss of such an influential 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
Sykes rose to fame as a member of Thin Lizzy in the early 1980s before joining Whitesnake.
The final music John Sykes was making. This entire album remains unreleased beyond a few songs. Hope it finally comes out. https://t.co/eRM24TSZBQ
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) January 21, 2025
He co-wrote and performed on their self-titled 1987 album, which featured massive hits like “Is This Love” and “Here I Go Again.” The album sold over eight million copies in the U.S. alone.
Tributes pour in for Sykes
Sykes also formed the band Blue Murder, releasing critically acclaimed albums that left a mark on the hard rock genre.
Just recorded a few segments to air between now and 8P ET remembering John Sykes on @ItsHairNation 39 @SIRIUSXM . More when back live on @TrunkNationSXM on John and this shocking awful news.
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) January 20, 2025
Despite his successes, Sykes faced challenges in his career, including frustrations with record labels and near-comeback moments that didn’t fully materialize. However, his talent and influence extended beyond his work with famous bands, as evidenced by the tributes from his peers. Carmine Appice of Blue Murder called Sykes one of the greatest guitarists of the genre and a personal favorite.
Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple thanked Sykes for the music and inspiration he provided. Sykes’ family stated that in his final days, he expressed sincere love and gratitude for the fans who supported him throughout his career. John Sykes leaves behind a legacy as a brilliant guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist whose contributions to rock music will continue to inspire future generations.
He is survived by his family, friends, and a global fanbase who will keep his memory alive through his music.