Archive for John Sykes

JOHN SYKES – Rest In Peace | A Brief Tribute To A Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Legend

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, music news, Rock Music Obituaries with tags , , , , , , on January 21, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Above: Best of John Sykes -album cover – (2000) – Mercury Records Japan

Heavy Metal and Hard Rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriting legend John Sykes passed away on Monday, January 20th at the age of 65. Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, friends. fans and all past bandmates of John Sykes; God Bless him and may he rest in peace.

John Sykes’ illustrious career included being a former member of 1980’s bands Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and his very own Blue Murder, along with being a successful solo artist. John Sykes also toured Europe in 1983 with the late Phil Lynotts’ solo (live only) band named The Three Musketeers.

Above: Thin Lizzy – Thunder and Lightning – album cover – (1983) – Warner Bros.
Above: Whitesnake S/T – album cover – (1987) – Geffen Records
Above: BLUE MURDER S/T – album cover – (1989) – Geffen Records

John Sykes was born in Reading, England on July 29, 1959.

Source and more info: https://www.johnsykes.com/biography.html

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Thin Lizzy – Thunder and Lightning: Revisiting A Classic From 1983

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

THIN LIZZY – I’ve been in a real deal Old School mood this week. For Metal sakes, I’m always in an Old School mood. I have a new cell phone with total access to social networks and I could care less. I still can’t figure out what every button does on the remote control for my television. I’m just that kind of Old School dude. Anyways… back to Thin Lizzy. I try to frequently “revisit” those Classic Rock albums and Old School Heavy Metal albums that quite frankly, should never be forgotten. 1983’s Thunder and Lightning from Thin Lizzy is one such album.

I guess it’s easy to tag this Thunder and Lightning album as either Classic Rock, Hard Rock or (Old School) Heavy Metal… take your pick. At the end of the Metal day, it makes no big difference to me. This Thunder and Lightning album makes me feel good and yes, psyches-me-out on many, many occasions. The early 80’s was a special time in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, Thin Lizzy was an integral part of that time in Rock history.

As I was preparing to write up this post, I looked back at my album review I did for Thunder and Lightning, more than two years ago on March 17th, 2009. Yes, I edited it again for grammar and (ahem) coolness… and I updated it for this actual post. (See the link below). Late today, as I was finishing up my thoughts on this post, KEV MOORE (BC Sweet) commented on my updated review from 2009! That tells me right there, I should be updating my older reviews more often! Metal be thy name… Kev Moore is one cool (Old School) Rock musician and has shared some very welcomed anecdotes and thoughts here on Metal Odyssey.

I guess my revisiting The twelfth and subsequently last studio album from Thin Lizzy has paid off. My Metal intent all along was to remind us fellow Rockaholics about this album and hopefully spread the Metal word to a younger generation of Heavy Rock fans.

Without further ado, here is my corn-dog intro to the Thunder and Lightning album review:

A long time ago, well, on March 17th, 2009 to be exact, I wrote a concise album review and/or bundled bunch of Metal thoughts on Thunder and Lightning. Click the big header link below to read it… go ahead, you just might like it.

THIN LIZZY – THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

* For more info on THIN LIZZY, click on the link below:

THIN LIZZY

LONG LIVE THE ROCKIN’ LEGACY OF THIN LIZZY.

Rest In Peace, Phil Lynott.

Stone.

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THIN LIZZY – THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

12046797Thunder and Lightning is a Thin Lizzy Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Hittin’ prize. Released in 1983, this is Old School Heavy Metal that is stupendous with every aspect of it’s music. John Sykes and Scott Gorham on guitars are both a sensational listen. The three songs of Cold Sweat, Someday She Is Going To Hit Back and Baby Please Don’t are abundantly impressive to my Rockin’ hungry ears. In my Metal opinion, the purchase of this album is worth it for these three songs alone. With that said, this entire album is vintage Heavy Metal that should be revisited and celebrated.

Thunder and Lightning for me, is one of those exemplary albums that is worthy of being labeled: a Heavy Metal hidden treasure. The Holy War is a standout song for my Metal senses, it’s not that it just Rocks, the lyrics are intelligent, the guitar solo is breathtaking and the rhythm section comes at you with a continuous cool groove.

The late Phil Lynott is simply excellent on vocals and bass, a bona-fide Rock Legend is he. Phil’s vocals I’ve always found to be contagiously memorable and unique. Bad Habits and Heart Attack are two very catchy, melodious and hooky songs that end this great album, with the guitar riffs and leads on these two songs leaving a lasting impression. Overall, in my Metal opinion, this is as sound, talent fused and classic of a Heavy Metal album as you can ask for. Thunder and Lightning truly delivers on it’s title.

Any Hard Rock, Classic Rock or Heavy Metal fan should appreciate what Thin Lizzy created here with Thunder and Lightning, I without question do. Don’t let your Hard Rock or Heavy Metal collection of music be without this classic from Thin Lizzy. Thunder and Lightning is an album that should surprise new fans who’ve never been exposed to Thin Lizzy before. Lifelong fans of Thin Lizzy that read this are most likely (and hopefully) nodding in approving agreement with me. Old School Rocks… Metal be thy name.

LONG LIVE THE ROCKIN’ LEGACY OF THIN LIZZY.

Rest In Peace, Phil Lynott.

Stone.

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