John Sykes, a guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy before joining Whitesnake for its smash 1987 album and later forming Blue Murder, has died of cancer at 65.

John Sykes, guitarist with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy who co-wrote the hit singles 'Still of the Night' and 'Is This Love,' has died. He was 65.

Guitarist John Sykes died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. He was 65. "It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer," a statement posted on Sykes' official Facebook page read on Monday,