01/21/2025 18:18

Tygers of Pan Tang

Guitarist John Sykes dead at 65

English guitarist John Sykes (Streetfighter, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake etc.) passed away on Monday, January 20th, 2025, at the age of 65 years.

The message on his official media:

"It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has 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.

He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years.

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."

Thin Lizzy commented:

"John Sykes, has passed away aged 65 after battling with cancer. He was with Lizzy for the Thunder and Lightning album and tour bringing a harder edge to their sound. He always sounded fantastic and looked cool on stage. He stayed with the band until the end, a perfect fit with Phil, Scott, Brian and Darren. He joined Whitesnake afterwards, as a perfect foil for David Coverdale.

Our respect and thoughts to his family and friends and a massive thank you for being a part of the Thin Lizzy story and history. Please play T&L today and play it loud."

(source: the official John Sykes website)