John Sykes, a guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy before joining Whitesnake for its smash 1987 album and later forming Blue Murder, has died of cancer at 65.

John Sykes, guitarist with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy who co-wrote the hit singles 'Still of the Night' and 'Is This Love,' has died. He was 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."

John Sykes, the legendary hard-rock guitarist who was a member of White Snake and Thin Lizzy has died at 65 following a battle with cancer, a post on Sykes’ Facebook page confirmed Monday night.

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.

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

The death of John Sykes, whose contributions to Whitesnake spurred them to become one of the biggest-selling bands of the eighties, has been confirmed

British rock guitarist John Sykes, who played for acclaimed bands such as Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy has died aged 65. Sykes’ death was announced via his official Facebook page on Monday night, confirming that he had succumbed to cancer.