His family said in a joint statement: “Our hearts are shattered. Throughout his fight with cancer, we stayed by his side, facing every challenge as a family — exactly the way he taught us. He was a family man through and through, and our grief is beyond words”.

Francis is survived by his wife Hella, his son Sebastian, and his twin daughters Louisa and Marietta. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time as they mourn his passing.

Buchholz was the bass player of Scorpions from 1973 until 1992, contributing his solid bass lines to the band’s distinctive sound and to several classic songs of the German legends. His first album with Scorpions was “Fly to the Rainbow” (1974). In 1992, not long after SCORPIONS hit their commercial high point with “Crazy World” (1992) and hit songs like “Send Me An Angel” and “Wind of Change”, Buchholz chose to step back from life in the spotlight. His decision came soon after the birth of his twin daughters.

After his departure from Scorpions, he went on to be a member of Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock.

Rest in Peace, Francis.

Το άρθρο FRANCIS BUCHHOLZ PASSED AWAY … εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

This is the first previously unheard song released from Scott’s archive since his passing—intimate, unfiltered, and a powerful reminder of the soul behind his music.

His influence stretched across Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, along with multiple awards and over 50 million albums sold. Yet it’s songs like this that reveal the deeper reason listeners stayed connected to him for so long.

“If I Could Fly” speaks to both longtime fans and newer listeners, offering a piece of Scott’s story that’s been safeguarded for 25 years and passed forward to a new generation.

Το άρθρο SCOTT WEILAND: PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SONG ARRIVES εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

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.

Το άρθρο A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SYKES (1959-2024) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Richard Tandy was a significant member of ELO, one of the band’s most cherished members and Jeff Lynne’s indispensable right-hand man. Renowned for his distinct keyboard prowess, Tandy played a vital role in shaping the British rock group’s iconic sound. From the minimoog synthesizer to the Mellotron and piano, his versatility spanned various keyboard instruments. His adept use of the vocoder left an indelible mark on ELO’s music, enhancing Jeff Lynne’s compositions with intricate string arrangements and layered backing vocals. Born in Birmingham in 1948, Tandy’s musical journey began with his involvement in The Balls before catching the attention of his schoolmate Bev Bevan, leading to his participation in The Move’s 1968 hit single “Blackberry Way,” which soared to the top of the UK singles chart. Tandy officially joined ELO in 1972, becoming an integral part of the band’s lineup across numerous albums, with the exception of their debut release in 1971. His unwavering commitment to ELO endured through various incarnations of the band, even when he collaborated with Jeff Lynne for the formation of Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014. Notably, Tandy contributed to the latest album, “From Out of Nowhere”, released under this iteration of the band. Beyond his musical contributions, Tandy was revered as a remarkable individual and a close friend to Jeff Lynne, earning legendary status among rock enthusiasts worldwide.

Richard Tandy’s absence, following his passing, will not impact the upcoming North American “The Over and Out Tour” by Jeff Lynne’s ELO, as Tandy was not slated to participate in the tour.

Rest in Peace Mr. Tandy, we will never forget you.

Το άρθρο ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA: RICHARD TANDY PASSED AWAY εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

The cause of Kuprij’s death has not yet been disclosed, leaving friends, fans, and the music community alike in mourning. His longtime friend, Finnish guitarist, songwriter, and producer Lars Eric Mattsson, confirmed Kuprij’s passing, underscoring the profound impact he had on those who had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with him. He wrote on his Facebook page: “Woke up to really sad news this morning as my dear friend and keyboard maestro Vitalij Kuprij has passed away last night. The Ukranian born virtuoso was living in Philadelphia and recently came off another hugely successful tour with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. I have known and worked with Vitalij for over 20 years and he always talked about seeing me here in Finland to go fishing, which was his second love after music. We have recorded together several times, first time was for the debut album of BOOK OF REFLECTIONS 20 years ago and then later for my MATTSSON concept album War. My record label Lion Music Record Label has released a lot of his music including three solo albums, his band ARTENSION and more. You will be deeply missed my friend!”.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and bandmate, Vitalij Kuprij. He was a world-renowned classical pianist and composer. In 2010, Vitalij joined TSO for the inaugural ‘Beethoven’s Last Night’ tour and seamlessly became an integral part of the band. His flawless and energetic performances consistently captivated audiences, and many of you came to know and love him as much as we did. Beyond his musical prowess, Vitalij was an accomplished chess player, an avid fisherman, and simply a fun-loving soul. His absence will be profoundly felt by all. Rest in peace, Vitalij. You will be deeply missed”.

Το άρθρο VITALIJ KUPRIJ: DEAD AT 49 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.