Home » A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SYKES (1959-2024)

A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SYKES (1959-2024)

by MythofRock

We all heard with great sadness the news that John Sykes left our world, losing his battle with cancer.  He died in 2024, at the age of 65. One of the best hard rock/heavy metal guitarists of all time, he managed to leave a mark on many legendary bands, while carving out his own identity.  From his incendiary work with Tygers of Pan Tang to revitalizing Thin Lizzy and leading Whitesnake to their commercial zenith, Sykes’ contributions to rock and metal were profound, timeless.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos


John James Sykes was born 29 July 1959 in Reading, Berkshire. His first band was Streetfighter, which took part in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) compilation “New Electric Warriors” with the song “She’s No Angel” in 1980. The same year he joined the burgeoning act Tygers of Pan Tang. The band, known for their raw energy, heavy riffs and standout melodies, became a fertile ground for the young guitarist to showcase his prodigious talent. Sykes joined during the recordings of their second album, “Spellbound”, released in 1981. On this classic metal masterpiece, Sykes elevated the band’s sound with his blistering solos and melodic sensibilities. Tracks like “Gangland”, “Hellbound” and “The Story So Far” exemplify his ability to combine aggression with technical precision. His presence added a new dimension to the band’s music, blending NWOBHM’s gritty ethos with a polished sense of musicianship. Sykes’ tenure with Tygers of Pan Tang also included their follow-up album, the fantastic “Crazy Nights” (1981). Sykes left Tygers of Pan Tang in early 1982, two days before the start of a French tour. However, he appears on two tracks on the band’s fourth album “The Cage” (“Love Potion No. 9” and “Danger in Paradise”).

Sykes then joined Thin Lizzy in 1982, a pivotal moment for both the band and the guitarist. By this time, Thin Lizzy was a well-established force in hard rock, led by the charismatic Phil Lynott. However, the band was suffering with internal struggles and was looking for fresh energy. Sykes proved to be just the breath they needed. His first and only studio album with Thin Lizzy, “Thunder and Lightning” (1983), saw the band embracing a heavier, more aggressive sound, thanks in large part to Sykes’ influence. Tracks like “Cold Sweat” highlighted his razor-sharp riffing and fiery solos, while his chemistry with Lynott brought a renewed vitality to the group. Sykes’ style added a modern edge to Thin Lizzy’s already iconic sound, ensuring the album became a worthy swan song for the band. Even during the band’s farewell tour, Sykes proved himself an electrifying performer. His live renditions of Thin Lizzy classics, such as “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back in Town”, demonstrated his deep respect for their legacy while adding his personal signature.

In 1984, Sykes embarked on a new chapter with Whitesnake, joining forces with David Coverdale to shape the band’s future. Initially contributing to “Slide It In” (1984), where his guitar overdubs elevated the album’s hard-rock edge, Sykes’ influence became even more pronounced on Whitesnake’s self-titled 1987 album. This record became a commercial steamroller, fueled by Sykes’ unforgettable guitar work. The iconic opening riff of “Still of the Night” remains one of hard rock’s most recognizable moments, blending bluesy swagger with metal intensity. Tracks like “Is This Love” and “Here I Go Again” showcased his versatility, balancing soulful melodies with arena-shaking power. Behind the scenes, Sykes played a crucial role in the album’s creation, co-writing the majority of its tracks with Coverdale. However, tensions within the band ultimately led to his departure before the album’s release. Despite this, “Whitesnake” (or “1987”) solidified Sykes’ reputation as one of rock’s premier guitarists, selling millions of copies worldwide and influencing so many musicians.

Following his dismissal from Whitesnake, Sykes formed Blue Murder, which featured bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice. Blue Murder’s self-titled debut album was released in April 1989, reaching number 69 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Beyond these bands, Sykes has also made significant contributions as a solo artist, further cementing his status as a guitar legend. Sykes signed with the Japanese branch of Mercury Records and released his first solo album “Out of My Tree” in August 1995. This was followed up by “Loveland” and “20th Century”, which were released in 1997.

John Sykes was a true guitar hero, who brilliantly combined virtuocity with feeling and melody. He is no longer with us, but his albums (with Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder plus his solo ones) will live forever. Unforgettable, indeed.

TRIVIA

  • Sykes got in touch with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott through Tygers of Pan Tang producer Chris Tsangarides.
  • Sykes and Lynott co-wrote and performed the single “Please Don’t Leave Me”, which was released in 1982.
  • He made his live debut with Whitesnake in Dublin on 17 February 1984.
  • In 1991 Sykes was in consideration to join Def Leppard. While no formal auditions took place, Sykes did jam with them and sang backing vocals on their 1992 album “Adrenalize”. Ultimately Def Leppard would hire Vivian Campbell, who incidentally had replaced Sykes in Whitesnake five years prior.
  • Sykes also auditioned for Guns N’ Roses in 2009.
  • In 2011, Sykes revealed he was forming a new band with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), but this project didn’t move forward. Sykes was later replaced by Richie Kotzen and the group became the Winery Dogs.

 

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