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