Episode 28: John Sykes Tribute Show

Episode 28: John Sykes Tribute Show

From Brian Tarquin's Guitar Trax Show by Brian Tarquin's Guitar Trax Show

March 2, 2025 · 48 min · Episode 28

About this episode

This episode pays tribute to John Sykes and his significant contributions to rock music.

John Sykes a young lad from Reading, England changed the map of rock with his massive guitar sound on the well-received 1987 Whitesnake album. He got his big break by hooking up with Thin Lizzy bassist and frontman Phil Lynott through the producer of Tygers of Pan Tang , Chris Tsangarides. In 1982 John and Phil wrote and recorded the song "Please Don't Leave Me”. This led Sykes to join Thin Lizzy and to be featured on the 1983 album Thunder and Lightning . He also co-wrote the song “Cold Sweat” with Lynott, which has become a classic metal anthem. Sykes went on to join Whitesnake and toured in support of their 1984 album Slide It In. John re-record guitar parts on the title track for the American market, which reached top 40 on the Billboard 200 charts. Hence, the stage was set for what would become the groundbreaking self-titled Whitesnake album. This is an album where everything was aligned correctly, and everyone came of age. Just listen to the studio recording of “In The Still of the Night” which is a testament to his sound, writing and force. In addition, Sykes went on to form Blue Murder with legendary drummer Carmine Appice and bass phenomena Tony Franklin. GUITAR TRAX is…

People in this episode

Hosts: Brian Tarquin, Brian, Tarquin

Topics covered

  • John Sykes
  • Whitesnake
  • Thin Lizzy
  • rock music
  • guitar

Keywords

  • guitar sound
  • metal anthem
  • Blue Murder
  • Carmine Appice
  • Tony Franklin

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Whitesnake album, Thunder and Lightning, Slide It In, Blue Murder

Books & works: Please Don't Leave Me, Thunder and Lightning, Cold Sweat, Slide It In, In The Still of the Night, mulit-Emmy, Beyond The Warrior’s Eyes, Speed of Sound, Best Video, Brothers In Arms

Places: Reading, England, Florida

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