John Sykes, the iconic guitarist known for his long hair and his role in elevating bands like Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy to prominence in the 1980s, has passed away after battling cancer. He was 65 years old.

The announcement was made on his official Facebook page on Monday evening. However, details regarding the type of cancer or the timing of his death were not disclosed.

YSL News has contacted representatives for Sykes for more information.

“He will be cherished by many as a musician of remarkable talent,” the Facebook post stated, “but to those who had the pleasure of knowing him personally, he was a kind and thoughtful individual whose charisma brightened any space.”

“He definitely had a unique spirit and always supported those who were overlooked. In his last days, he expressed deep love and gratitude for the fans who stood by him throughout his journey,” it continued.

Sykes kickstarted his career with the heavy-metal group Tygers of Pan Tang before slightly altering his musical direction with an album alongside Thin Lizzy in 1983 and later, with the hugely successful self-titled album from Whitesnake.

Ultimately, due to a strained relationship with lead singer David Coverdale, Sykes, along with other band members, was let go from Whitesnake. He then created Blue Murder, another hard rock band, and released several albums until their split in 1994.

Afterward, Sykes spent his later years briefly reuniting with Thin Lizzy and focusing on his solo career. While his guitar skills and songwriting talent may not have received the same level of celebrity recognition as some of his contemporaries, they hold a significant place in music history.

“Though his loss is deeply felt and the atmosphere is heavy with sadness, we hope that the light of his memory will overshadow his absence,” the social media post concluded.