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If you are a fan of rock music, it is impossible not to know the legendary John Sykes. John Sykes was a popular British guitarist who played for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake rock bands. He was well known for his exceptional guitar and songwriting skills, and he made quite a number of the soundtracks associated with rock music in its golden era. Sadly, the guitarist has passed away at the age of 65 following a “hard-fought battle with cancer.” The news was announced in a statement released on his official website. However, the type of cancer was not revealed. John Sykes gained fame not just for his music skills but also because of his electrifying performances and the way he commanded the stage. Tributes pour in from across the music world for the guitarist. Fans and colleagues remember Sykes as a man of great talent who left his mark on rock music. John Sykes was a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic” man Guitarist John Sykes/Instagram The announcement of John Sykes’ death was met with mourning among fans and musicians alike. The statement on his website described him as “a man with exceptional musical talent” and “a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.” Social media tributes soon followed. Former Whitesnake bandmate David Coverdale expressed his condolences and shared memories of their time together. Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also paid tribute, he described Sykes as a “brilliant musician.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Coverdale (@whitesnake) Sykes began his musical journey in 1980 with the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang. His big break came in 1982 when he joined Thin Lizzy, a group he described as one of his all-time favorites. After Thin Lizzy, he joined Whitesnake and co-wrote most of the band’s wildly successful self-titled 1987 album. Hits like “Still of the Night” and “Is This Love” were the crowd's favorites. Despite the album selling over 20 million copies, tensions with lead singer David Coverdale led to Sykes’ abrupt dismissal before the tour began. The decision left him feeling “very bitter” for years. Portrait of a British supergroup: Whitesnake, 1984, John Sykes, David Coverdale, Neil Murray, Jon Lord, Cozy Powell/Instagram Guitarist John Sykes did not give up; he founded Blue Murder, a hard rock supergroup featuring bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice. The band released its debut album in 1989, but it didn't achieve commercial success. Still, he focused on his solo projects and occasional reunions with Thin Lizzy. Many wonder how John Sykes achieved his skills and mastery in music. The guitarist was born in Reading, England, where he spent most of his early years learning music. His short stay in Ibiza, Spain, also helped shape his perspective on music and laid the foundation for his unique sound. As his career soared and his sound became well known, Sykes remained humble and approachable. This was how he earned respect from his colleagues and fans John Sykes/Instagram Guitarist John Sykes is survived by his three sons John Sykes is survived by his three sons: James, John Jr., and Sean. Beyond his career, John Sykes was also a family man, he got married to Jennifer whom he had his sons with in 1989. Although the marriage ended in divorce a decade later, Sykes maintained a close relationship with his children. John Syke with the Whitesnake band/Instagram In his final days, Sykes reflected on his gratitude for his fans and the support they showed him throughout his career, even when things were tough. “He spoke of his sincere love for those who stuck by him all these years,” the statement was shared on his website, and many of his followers loved it. They also took the opportunity to appreciate the guitarist for inspiring their own music and creative journeys. John Sykes made an impact on the world in his own spectacular way. The death of guitarist John Sykes marks the end of an era, but his contributions to rock music will continue to inspire many more generations.