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."

John Sykes, the electrifying guitarist who rocked the world in legendary bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died at 65.

Listed among the greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time, John Sykes has been remembered by stars including Guns N' Roses stars Slash and Steven Adler.

John Sykes, best known for playing guitar with iconic bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65 years old and was reportedly battling cancer when he died on January 20, 2025. Thin Lizzy’s Instagram page confirmed the news and shared a statement about his passing.

(Gray News) - Guitarist and songwriter John Sykes, who played for Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. Sykes died at the age of 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.

Musician John Sykes, the guitarist for Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and more ... Sykes went on to form Blue Murder with Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, who also shared a tribute to Sykes.

British guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work with rock bands Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake ... Meanwhile, drummer Carmine Appice, who played alongside Sykes in Blue Murder, said on Facebook ...

It has been announced that the former Thin Lizzy guitarist and frontman John Sykes has died at the age of 65, after a battle with cancer.

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

Friedman has called the late guitarist a “game changer” when it came to solos, while Vai says he could never play guitar like him