John Sykes of Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake dies aged 65

John Sykes, a former member of both Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died aged 65. One official statement confirmed that Sykes had been diagnosed with cancer.

“He will be remembered by many as a man of exceptional musical talent, but to those who did not know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room,” according to the statement. “He definitely marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.”

Sykes appeared on Thin Lizzy’s harder 1983 album Thunder and Lightningthe group’s Top 5 UK hit studio finale with late frontman Phil Lynott. Sykes then joined Whitesnake for a two-album run in the mid-’80s, beginning with the reworked 1984 edition of Push it in.

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He co-wrote all but two songs on 1987’s eight-times platinum international Top 10 hit White snakeincluding the US no. 2 smash “Is this love.” But unfortunately, his relationship with singer David Coverdale was strained from the start.

“John was and is an incredible talent,” Coverdale argued later. “Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn’t work personally. The truth of the matter is, no matter how incredible an album we made together, we weren’t able to connect as people.”

Watch Whitesnake’s ‘Is This Love?’ Video

John Sykes offers ‘sincere love and gratitude’ to fans

Sykes later took over vocals when Thin Lizzy reunited in 1996 and released One Night Only in 2000. He remained in the lineup until 2009. “You know, we’re going out and paying our respects to Phil Lynott,” Sykes shared. Melodic rock in 1999. “He wrote damn good songs. It’s just a great pleasure to go out and play and think about him. As a group of old veterans, we tell a few lies and laugh, go and play the tunes, and it’s great.”

Before working with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Sykes recorded two albums with Tygers of Pan Tang, i.a. Enchanted and Crazy nightsboth from 1981. Sykes also featured on two tracks from the 1982s The cageeven though he had already left. He later formed Blue Murder with bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice.

Sykes released five solo albums, including 2004’s Bad Boys Live!which included updates of material from Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. Screaming Blue Murder: Dedicated to Phil Lynottfrom 1994, also touched on earlier career highlights.

“In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude to his fans who stuck by him all these years,” according to the official statement confirming Sykes’ death. “While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope that the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”