Music legend dies of cancer aged 65: ‘Thoughtful, kind, and charismatic’

Guitarist John Sykes, who performed with iconic British rock bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65.

Sykes’ death was confirmed in a statement on his official website on Monday, Jan. 20, stating that he had “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,” according to a statement. “He undoubtedly followed his own path and consistently championed the underdog.” In his dying days, he expressed his heartfelt love and appreciation to his admirers who had stood with him throughout the years.”

The statement ended with: “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.”

The British rocker, who was born and reared in Reading following a brief stay in Ibiza, Spain, as a youngster, began his career in 1980 with Tygers of Pan Tang, a British heavy metal band. After two years of performing and recording with the band, he left to join Thin Lizzy, led by Phil Lynott.

“Thin Lizzy was one of my all-time favorite bands anyway, so being asked to join them was like a dream come true,” Sykes told Metal Express Radio back in 2008. “It was an honor and a privilege.” Phil’s selection is undoubtedly the pinnacle of my career, and it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Sykes joined Thin Lizzy in 1982, appearing on albums such as Thunder and Lightning. Following the group’s farewell tour in 1983, Sykes joined Lynott on his solo tour.

David Coverdale, the frontman of Whitesnake, soon saw Sykes’ potential and offered him to join his band. Sykes joined Whitesnake with Lynott’s approval, making his debut on the 1984 album Slide It In in the United States.

He and Coverdale co-wrote practically every song on the band’s following self-titled album, released in 1987, which included successes such as “Still of the Night” and “Is This Love.”

Despite the record’s popularity (it sold 20 million copies), his relationship with Coverdale deteriorated throughout the recording process, and Sykes and the rest of the band were sacked.

In an interview with Rock Candy magazine in 2017, Sykes stated that he was still “very bitter” about how things transpired with Coverdale, since he first learned of his dismissal via the band’s A&R manager.

Coverdale, however, told Metal Edge magazine that it was “unfortunate” that “things went squirrely” between him and Sykes, and that they had just spoken for the first time in “15 years of animosity” and “got along well.”

“John was and still is an exceptional talent. Our musical chemistry was wonderful, but it didn’t work for me,” he stated. “John contributed much to that record and was an excellent live performer. However, many crucial features were absent. “It was not meant to be.”

Coverdale sent a memorial note on Instagram after Sykes’ death, saying, “Just got the tragic news of John’s passing…My heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and fans…🙏✨🙏✨⭐️✨🙏✨🙏.”

After quitting Whitesnake, Sykes founded Blue Murder with bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice. Blue Murder launched their self-titled first album in 1989, and Sykes thereafter pursued a solo career.

Sykes married Jennifer in 1989, and the couple divorced ten years later. The Guardian reports that his sons James, John Jr., and Sean survive him.