John Sykes, the legendary guitarist known for his remarkable contributions to iconic bands like Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has passed away at the age of 65. An official announcement revealed that Sykes had been battling cancer, a battle that he faced with characteristic courage. His legacy as a musician is matched only by the warmth of his character, as stated in the tribute: “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.”

Throughout his life, Sykes was known for his individuality, often “marching to the beat of his own drum,” and he was particularly supportive of the underdog, earning him respect and admiration from fans and peers alike. His impact on the music industry is profound, and his contributions will resonate for years to come.

Sykes made a significant mark on Thin Lizzy with his performance on their harder-edged 1983 album Thunder and Lightning, which became a Top 5 U.K. hit and showcased his guitar prowess alongside the late frontman Phil Lynott. Following this, he joined Whitesnake, where he contributed to the reworked 1984 edition of Slide It In and continued to define the band’s sound throughout the mid-’80s.

READ MORE: Explore the Impact of Every Thin Lizzy Album

In addition to his performance contributions, Sykes co-wrote nearly all of the tracks on the 1987 album Whitesnake, which achieved remarkable success, reaching eight times platinum and hitting the Top 10 internationally. This album featured the iconic single “Is This Love,” which soared to No. 2 on the U.S. charts. Despite their successful collaborations, Sykes? relationship with frontman David Coverdale was fraught with tension. Coverdale himself acknowledged, “John was and is an incredible talent. Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn?t work personally. No matter how incredible of an album that we made together, we were unable to connect as people.”

Watch Whitesnake’s ‘Is This Love?’ Video

Honoring His Legacy: Sykes’ Return to Thin Lizzy

In 1996, Sykes took the reins as lead vocalist when Thin Lizzy reunited, culminating in the live album One Night Only in 2000. His passion for honoring Phil Lynott was evident when he remarked, “You know, we go out and pay our respects to Phil Lynott. He wrote damn good songs. It’s just a great pleasure to go out and play and think of him. Like a group of old veterans, we tell a few lies and have a few laughs, go and play the tunes and it’s great.” This sentiment underscores the deep respect and camaraderie shared among the band members.

Before his illustrious stints with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, Sykes recorded two notable albums with Tygers of Pan Tang, including Spellbound and Crazy Nights, both released in 1981. He also contributed to two tracks on the 1982 album The Cage before moving on to form Blue Murder alongside bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, further showcasing his versatility as a musician.

In addition to his collaborative projects, Sykes released five solo albums throughout his career, including the 2004 live album Bad Boy Live!, which featured reimagined versions of his earlier work with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. His 1994 release, Screaming Blue Murder: Dedicated to Phil Lynott, highlighted significant moments from his career, illustrating his enduring connection to the legendary frontman.

In his final days, Sykes expressed heartfelt sentiments of love and gratitude towards his dedicated fans who supported him through thick and thin. The official statement confirming his passing reflected on his legacy, stating, “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.” His musical journey and the joy he brought to countless fans will forever be cherished.