It is with great sadness that I announce the death of John Sykes, renowned British guitarist, at the age of 65, after an arduous battle with cancer.
The news was announced on his social networks on January 20, 2025.
Born on July 29, 1959, Sykes made a name for himself on the rock and heavy metal scene, playing in iconic bands such as Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder. His exceptional guitar skills and significant contributions to classic albums have left an indelible mark on music.
Among his musical influences, Sykes cited Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin. He considered himself a “blues guitarist who plays rock”. Outstanding features of his style included fast picking, wide vibrato, artificial harmonics and tapping.
In 2004, he was included in Guitar World magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time”. In 2011, he appeared on Guitar Player’s list of the “50 Unknown Guitar Heroes”. In 2021, Guitar Player highlighted Sykes as one of the essential hard rock guitarists of the 1980s.
John Sykes leaves behind three sons: James, John Jr. and Sean. His death represents a significant loss for the music world, but his legacy will continue to inspire musicians and fans around the world.
