The renowned guitarist played with several successful bands from the 1980s including Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang.

Guitarist John Sykes, well-known for his time with rock bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65 years old. Sykes died in 2024 “after a hard fought battle with cancer,” a statement on his website reads.

John Sykes, the world-renowned guitarist, best known for his work with the likes of Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, passed away at the age of 65 on January 21, 2025.

Sykes joined Whitesnake in 1984 when the band's frontman, former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale, asked him to replace founding guitarist Micky Moody while the British band was on tour behind that year's 'Slide It In'.

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;

Guitarist John Sykes, who played with rock bands including Think Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died aged 65.

The death of former Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy star John Sykes has prompted a wave of loving tributes from his peers. The guitarist died at age 65 after what an official statement describes as "a hard fought battle with cancer."

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.

John Sykes died from cancer at age 65. The guitarist played for both Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake before joining Blue Murder with Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice.

Guitarist John Sykes, who played in classic British rock bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65. Sykes’ death was announced in a statement on his official website that said he’d “passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer.