Following the death of former Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake star John Sykes on 20 January, his former bandmate and fellow guitarist Scott Gorham has hailed Sykes as "a great musician". Gorham and Sykes played together in Thin Lizzy in 1983 and again in the '90s.

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

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.

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

John Sykes, a hard-rock guitarist and singer who played with Thin Lizzy before joining Whitesnake for its smash 1987 album and later forming Blue Murder, has died of cancer. He was 65. The news was confirmed on Sykes’ Facebook page,

"In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years," a statement released Monday read.

John Sykes, the guitarist who performed with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake in the 1980s - and who co-wrote several tracks on Whitesnake's highest-charting album, including the hit "Is This Love" - has died.

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.

John Sykes, the guitarist whose talent helped propel Whitesnake to success, is dead at 65. He also worked with the bands Thin Lizzy and Blue Murder. Dig into all the new Netflix TV shows and movies heading to Netflix this week.

A gifted guitarist who played with some of the biggest rock bands and who lived in Blackpool for many years has died, aged 65.

Sykes was honoured by former bandmates and musicians, including members from Whitesnake, Blue Murder and Guns N’ Roses. John Sykes, the guitarist for bands like Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died at 65.