John Sykes: The Untold Story!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มี.ค. 2024
- Hello and welcome to the channel. John Sykes a guitar hero hidden in plain site. Although he has been in some of the biggest bands of all time, including Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, he is a guitarist who's name not many people know. He was a main songwriter and guitarist on one of the biggest selling metal albums of all time, Whitesnake's 1987 album (he was replaced by Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell). He was guitarist and singer for the band Blue Murder. Join us as we delve into the life and career of a guitar legend. Thanks for watching.
I agree that John Sykes deserves much more recognition. I think many were just jealous of his talent and looks.
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Let's be honest his has incredible chops but also incredible looks, blonde hair and black Les Paul Custom it's a pussy magnet for sure 😉
Reading (English town) is pronounced Redding.
@hamishanderson6738 thanks.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 You're welcome. I enjoyed your video.(didn't mean to repeat myself 😅)
1987 sold over 10 million with John. Next album without John 1 million say no more. The man is class
Yep. Thanks for watching and the comment.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 thanks buddy
Absolutely Sykes Is The Man And Real Deal He Made Whitesnake Famous.
@@Jared_Dill agreed pal
@Jared_Dill I agree. Thanks for watching.
Monster guitarist and fantastic songwriter. John Sykes is a legend.
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John is one of my favorite players. The triple threat.
100%. Thanks for watching and the comment.
This man is criminally underrated. Such a full package. Killer guitar player, Amazing singer, attitude, looks and a vibrato to die for. I wish more people knew who he is. But nonetheless, I know, and I love listening to him.
I agree. Thanks for watching and the comment.
But lazy.
Reading the town is pronounced Redding.
Thanks.
There are too many posers in this world...
What an underrated guitar player, and incredible singer. Amazing talent, unfortunate that he didn't have greater success in his career.
Very underrated. I think he may be his own worst enemy. Thanks for watching and the comment.
I'm tired of people saying underrated all the time You have no idea what you're talking about This guy is the best of the best 90% of the guitar players out there could never do what he'd done writing singing playing
I think what they mean brother in being “underrated” is that Sykes SHOULD have been a household name right along side the other greats of his era like Van Halen, Rhoads etc. No one is arguing that he wasn’t an absolute beast and brilliant, it’s that he’s fairly unknown outside the guitar world.
amen!
Bring back Blue Murder🤘💥💥👑
Yeah , I read that he wanted to call it John Sykes and Blue Murder and the other two guys said no.
@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 they should've done it if the pay was the same..I don't hear anything from Carmine or Tony
*Purple Birth*
He was brilliant. I still listen to his music from the 80s. The fact him and Coverdale fell out is such a huge loss as 1987 was amazing
I still listen to 80’S music too. Thanks for watching.
He played a Thin Lizzy show with Scott Gorham,Tommy Aldridge, in Indy.. Great tribute to Phil. John's incredible singer/guitarist. I was close enough to see the extra ground wire on his L.P.
Hope to see you soon, Rock on.
Thanks for watching and sharing your story.
At last, a true legend of guitar.
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Whole lot of respect for John, I just wish he'd been able to achieve the level of success he deserves.
Me too. Thanks for watching and the comment.
I got to know John briefly in his Streetfighter days . A friend of mine was the other guitarist in Streetfighter and I watched several gigs playing covers but John was incendiary even then. Streetfighter knew they were going to lose him and is was good to watch his ascension.
Thanks for watching and sharing.
Sykes has always been a favorite of mine. I personally think he was influenced greatly by Gary Moore's playing. Listen to both and you'll hear it, especially the way they play vibrato is very similar.
Year I agree. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Lizzy's Life/Live, 1987, 1st Blue Murder...at least at that time, for me, John Sykes was the very best guitar-artist!
There may (have) come days when there's all been told. He told some of the best storys of all times with his playing.
Thanks so much, John Sykes and be blessed!
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
Top 5 in my humble opinion. Actually sounds as good on vocals as Coverdale
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Sykes would be a household name if the Whitesnake debacle didn't happen. He is the total package. Sings, plays and had the MTV-friendly look of the day. He had a shot, but it didn't happen.
Yeah he should be more well known he was that complete package. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Coverdale KNEW that, live, Sykes would eclipse him. He probably started to realise this during the 1984/1985 period. So he hired a bunch of guys he could easily dominate and slap back into line (or fire) if they got too big for their boots. Vandenberg was nowhere near being as good as Sykes in any way, shape or form. Ditto Campbell.
Those bends , ouffffffff !!!!!! Tone, feel, one of my favorite player
He is definitely a tasty player as well as being a shredder. Thanks for the comment.
TOTAL respect for Mr. Sykes. Greatest vibrato in the business by far. Mad Respect 🙏
In my top 5 greatest of all time IMO.
Dawning of a Brand New Day is awesome. Would love some more of that!!
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Nice work on covering a Great guitarist ..
Thanks, glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Tygers Of Pan Tang were on my turntable as a teenager all the time, best albums are with Sykes but The Cage had come cool tunes as well.
I just have one of them. But it’s pretty good. Thanks for watching.
Dude is a legend for the Still of the Night riff alone.
I agree. Thanks for watching and the comment.
I love those Tygers Of Pan Tang albums.
Yeah pretty good stuff. Thanks for watching.
THE GOAT IMPO...Grateful for all things Sykes we currently have🎶✊
Berkshire and Reading... 😉
Thanks for watching.
Yep, got those wrong didn't he? 🤣🤣
First image I have ever seen with him playing an SG! The video author dug deep!
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I meet him in Gothenburg such a down to earth guy been a fan forever he talked with me about thin lizzy you rule John
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 Youre welcome
Awesome guitarist and singer/songwriter gotta agree! He deserved much more than he got the first blue murder album is a total knockout!
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Damn I must be a superfan.. I already knew everything you said. 😉
Thanks for watching.
Cool summation of Mr Sykes!!Just subscribed!!!
Thank you.
Along with Deep Purple, John Sykes is the second name that has the most credit for David Coverdale having such a great career.. His name is mentioned in most of the songs on the album Whitesnake beside his guitar solos which was released in 1987.. This album made David Coverdale and Whitesnake a worldwide known band! (Tawny Kitaen was the 3rd name thanks for the videos!?)
Coverdale had a great voice but I’m not sure he was a great songwriter on his own.
Watch Sykes playing Rock in Rio 1985 with Whitesnake. Classic.
Yes indeed. Thanks for watching.
Great player…..if only he’d actually release more music! Those couple of songs he put out a few years ago were amazing, but where’s the album??!
Exactly! Thanks for watching and the comment.
Very underrated and he has so much talent 🎸🎵
Sykes vibrato is his most remarkable talent
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I learned about Sykes when "slide it in" was released...he's played with a lot of people. He's a total badass.🤘
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The opening 1rst ping on Cold sweat sets the tone of a rock legend
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I read an interview with Carmine Appice with Eddie Trunk in which he claims to have sent text messages to John Sykes but received no response. Appice added that Tony Franklin also doesnt know anything about John whereabouts. Carmine Appice believes that Sykes has not adapted to the new business in the music industry. Personally i think that John Sykes doesnt want to play anymore and he should still be living in Los Angeles and enjoying his life. His children probably gave him grandchildren, he became a grandfather and he must be happy.
Yeah I don't think he is interested in the business of music.
Sykes is the reason I took up guitar. First song I've ever learned from beginning to end (including solo) was "Is This Love".
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Mr. Sykes is god on earth
I think David Coverdale was insecure of John steeling his thunder, would be great if John got back together with the original Blue Murder & Jon Deverill !
Unfortunately that is probably true. I just want some more music from him.
I used to go and watch Streetfighter in a couple of local bars in Blackpool. I often chatted with John between sets.
Nice. Was he a bad ass back then? Thanks for watching.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833He was certainly impressive and every bit a rock star. It is kind of coincidental that Streetfighter had a couple of Lizzy songs in their set. I certainly remember Jailbreak being one of them and maybe Don't believe a word?. John played an SG at that time and he was always talking about getting a black Les Paul. I don't remember him singing at all back then, not even backing vocals and there was no pinched harmonics or the wide vibrato he developed later. I saw some great bands in tiny bars in Blackpool all those years ago. Great times.
Love Sykes
Thanks for watching and the comment.
2 new songs in 20 years! Well that's great John! What's wrong with you mate?! There's hundreds of thousands of fans out here waiting for you to get off your arse and do something! So either bloody well do something or tell us all that you're never gonna bring out anything ever again. But don't keep us hangin' like this, FFS!!
He doesn't owe you shit.
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At least post the album on You Tube if you can't come to terms with the new record business and enjoy your retirement
@newavatar2947 he can release it on ITunes.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 yes and he can make money. Something tells me the album may not live up to expectations and that explains the reluctance
Sykes is awesome. I think he may be difficult to work with, as he never works with anyone for long. I would love some more music from him though.
Thanks for watching and the comment. I think you may be right.
Coverdale made a big mistake firing Sykes, Slip of the Tongue, was not a bad record, but it wasn't as juicy and heavy as 1987. Imagine if he and vd Berg were in Whitesnake at the same time.
7:55 That 's exactly what I'm always thinking. Adrian and John would be a great match.. In spite of what happened. What was not in their hands of course.. He let a great opportunity slip away there .I think
these two would get along great. Both musically , in stage presence and in person.. these two could have ascend each other .. I wonder if Coverdale was even aware of this opportunity at or before the moment he fired John..
I think his own ego stood to much in the way in this matter. What a waste...
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I don't think Sykes would have been happy or even willing to work with the Flying Dutchman. And I think Vandenberg would probably have been sidelined right from the start - as he was later with Vai. Sykes wanted it to be a one guitar band and, frankly, I would agree.
@@user-un9go4qe5i I think you are right. Truthfully I would not mind 1 guitar player as long as it was Sykes.
I heard he’s still alive.
John James Sykes is the $ behind Whitesnake.
He was a supporter of Phil Lynott emotionally and commercially before Whitesnake.
His songwriting is an unmistakable stain on the Whitesnake history, and confirmed with Blue Murder that Coverdale only wishes he sang Ptolemy.
Whitesnake did peak while he was in the band. Thanks for watching and the comment.
The London Based John Sykes is indeed a Legend Thin Lizzy'His short stunt with Iron Maiden Strikes My Core the most
It would have been interesting to see & hear Whitesnakes' music if John had stayed on after the 1987album, but I guess we'll never know.
Yes it would have been interesting. Thanks for watching and the comment.
1:40 He's holding a Epiphone Les Paul custom.
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I've seen a few pics now with him and Zakk wylde. I sometimes wonder if zakk took his look and playing early on from John.
Possibly. Thanks for watching.
He was incredible in the tigers of pan tang
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Check out "Cold Sweat" by Thin Lizzy ... primo Sykes!
Thanks for watching and the comment. I’ll check it out.
in 1998 he came to my house in Granada Hills Ca to check out a les Paul that I was selling. He was living in the same neighbor hood at that time. He didn't buy it but he wanted to buy my Strat instead. I didn't sell it to him. He seemed a little irritated when I asked him who did he play with... I didn't follow the POP hair bands. I had no clue who he was at that time.
Cool story. Thanks for watching.
John Sykes had a huge influence on my guitar playing. From killer tone to his flawless vibratos and insane blues inspired licks. The man is a legend. Whitesnake wouldn't have been as big as it got in in the US if it wasn't for him. He made Coverdale famous and I'm sure very jealous. I mean he was fired and was promptly offered a solo contract. That's why he formed Blue Murder. That's epic in my books.
Yeah I agree. So talented. Thanks for watching.
Also those bends! I thought he played with a bar but it was hardtail the whole time.
@@timothydubois5834 Yep. Insane. And those awesome pick scrapes 😁
@timothydubois5834 absolutely. Thanks for watching.
I hear he may longer even play. I get it, sad though, for us, because he made a lot of great music.
Hopefully he get motivated and get back to music.
Not that it matters, but Reading is pronounced Redding, and Berkshire is pronounced Barksheer. Great video 👌🏻
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Sykes needs to leave the house and get some shoes together. He needs to stop falling out with people and just play guitar
In the end I think the split hurt both Whitesnake and Sykes.
I love the first Blue Murder but I think he would of done better with Whitesnake.
Yea Whitesnake did well with Vai but long term it's been a decline from the Sykes days.
B.E.A.S.T.
Thanks for watching.
Jose modded Marshall.
Little Mountain plywood room enclosure.
Thanks for the comment.
You missed the Live in Sweden -83 album
Thanks for the info and thanks for watching.
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 Gr8 video, i hope Mr Sykes will release his "new" album soon and comes out and play...
@Timpen666 thanks, me too.
He didn’t ’butt heads’ with the other members of Tygers of Pan Tang. We know, we were there. He left for pastures anew with greater promise.
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Who is Carmen Aposy?
Thanks for watching
Carmine a piece it’s pronounced like that young feller
One of the best drummers of all time he played with Pat Travers and Michael Schenker, King cobra and he played on the Hear n Aid that Ronnie James Dio put together
Lots of other stuff as well
It depends on which brother you ask.
Thanks for watching and the comment.
Sykes in Def Leppard would have been an interesting twist
I think he would have overshadowed them. I don’t think he would have lasted long. Thanks for watching.
A fair point, but I see it a bit differently. After all, they got a killer guitarist in Viv Campbell, and they're still a shite band.
Lol
Too heavy for bubblegum
He's way too good for them.
It’s called RED-Ing. Not Reed- ING!!!
Thanks
Dude it’s pronounced Redding happy to help.
Thanks
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 sorry wasn’t trying to be a pedant🤘🏼
What is he up to nowadays?
The most recent information I could find was from a few years ago. Thanks for watching.
Nice, but this is very much the TOLD story. 😆
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You left out nuclear cowboy
It’s in there.
Good coverage and research. You should work on your cadence and inflection: The monotone sentences that have a rise in pitch mid-sentence and end with a drop in pitch, over and over and over are not pleasant to listen to.
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Yikes it’s Sykes! The greatest.
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John Sykes Custom is actually from 1980 and it is also stamped a 2nd.
Thanks for the info.
You absolutely need to make sure you know how to pronounce the names of major places in the UK to not immediately put off an entire country within a few seconds- especially the country where this musician is from.
Thanks for the comment.
Bro your killing me. Its pronounced Redding. Only spelled Reading.
Indeed!!!!! So funny…
Thanks for the lesson
It’s pronounced Redding😊
Thanks so I’ve learned.
Reading Is pronounced like Redding
Thank you I’ve been told.
Twice now
His place of birth is pronounced Redding, Barkshire.
More like barksha, if you write shire he's not going to know he got both syllables wrong.
@@paulqueripel3493 I'd have said Bark-sheer.
Its pronounced “red-iing’
Thanks
Coverdale firing Sykes completely screwed his legacy and ruined Whitesnake. Sykes never became the household name he should have and Whitesnake never wrote another decent song, becoming just another hair band of hired guns.
Yeah, thanks for watching and the comment.
I don't supports them bye🇵🇪🇺🇸
You don’t support who?
John Sykes was pretty average at the time
At what time?
@@greatguitaristoftherockera2833 in the 80s when he was sort of relevant there were loads of better players. Just listen to the shrapnel records catalog, they were all better and more innovative. Sykes was very simple and his licks are forgettable
@chrischoir3594 thanks for the comment.
@@chrischoir3594 What a very bitter and uneducated man. The most ridiculous comment ever made.
He would have been EXCELLENT for Ozzy. Zakk Wylde I’ve always felt sounded a lot like Sykes. Especially early on. Doesn’t seem like he would’ve been a good fit for Def Leppard maybe.
Yeah I agree with you. Thanks for watching and the comment.
John and Bob Daisley would've been fire...but Ozman wouldn't tolerate being upstaged...Sharon wouldn't go for it..Randy already proved it.
Absolutely! Thanks for watching.