Whitesnake & Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes, Dies

Steve Vai followed John Sykes in Whitesnake – and he quickly decided what not to do when playing his parts
On the subsequent tour, Sykes' place was taken by both Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell, though within just a couple of years, they too would be out of the band – the former temporarily, due to injury, and the latter permanently, due to personal differences.
Whitesnake & Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes, Dies at 65
John Sykes, best known for playing guitar with iconic bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65 years old and was reportedly battling cancer when he died on January 20, 2025. Thin Lizzy’s Instagram page confirmed the news and shared a statement about his passing.
Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy guitarist dies from cancer at age 65
The renowned guitarist played with several successful bands from the 1980s including Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang.
John Sykes Dead After Cancer Battle: Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist Was 65
Guitarist John Sykes died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
John Sykes, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist and Co-writer of ‘Still of the Night' and ‘Is This Love,' Dies at 65
John Sykes, a veteran hard-rock guitarist who was a member of Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and the Tygers of Pan Tang, has died, according to a post on his official Facebook page. He had battled cancer for several years;
Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes Dies of Cancer at 65: 'Thoughtful, Kind and Charismatic'
John Sykes, a guitarist who played in bands like Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, died of cancer at age 65. He cowrote some of Whitesnake's biggest hits, like "Still of the Night" and "Is This Love."
John Sykes, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist, dies aged 65
British guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work with rock bands Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died aged 65 “after a hard fought battle with cancer,” according to a statement on his website.
Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes dies at 65
The British rock guitarist John Sykes, who played with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died aged 65. A statement on his website said Sykes "passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer".
John Sykes, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake Guitarist, Dead at 65
The British musician, who also released numerous solo albums, became chairman of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019
John Sykes, guitarist and hair-metal hitmaker with Whitesnake, dies at 65
The English guitarist co-wrote Whitesnake's 'Is This Love,' one of the defining power ballads of late-'80s hard rock.
John Sykes, former Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist, dies at 65
John Sykes, the guitarist whose talent helped propel Whitesnake to success, is dead at 65. He also worked with the bands Thin ...
Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes has dies aged 65
British rock guitarist John Sykes, who played for acclaimed bands such as Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy has died aged 65. Sykes’ ...
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John Sykes, guitarist for Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, dies at 65
(Gray News) - Guitarist and songwriter John Sykes, who played for Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. Sykes died at the age ...