People say no one swings like Eddie, which is true, but they should also say that about Sykes. Such a great groove in his playing. He just adds so much "drama", for want of a better word, to songs.
To me as a guitar player for 40 years, the 87 Whitesnake album is one of my top 3 guitar tones of all time. John’s solos have the smoothness and sound of a violin. Between his tone and his flawless rhythm and solos, he is only next to Steve Lukather as the most underrated guitar players of all time. Guitar perfection as far as I am concerned!
@@richardblack3385 I’ve just reread what I supposedly wrote; and its weird to me because I actually love that album; played it endlessly, so many memories; John Sykes is an absolute maestro of the guitar. Unheralded musical genius; solo for ‘Is this love’ absolutely mesmerising, equal to any lauded lead solo... ??? Not sure what i was meaning in that deleted post; but obviously way off the mark...
1987 and Blue Murder are probably the best 1,2 punch as far as guitar albums go at the time. Thank God for Bob Rock who helped John get his tone for Whitesnake, then carried it over to Blue Murder.
Bob is great at blending the tones of a couple of amps to get a huge sound. John had a couple of Mesa Mark 3 coliseum amps. 150watt monsters both set to different tones for that massive wall of sound. I wonder how much of those sessions carried over to what Bob did with Metallica on the Black Album.
@@rishz7857 yep, I remember first hearing the Thunder & Lightning album when Tower Record’s was still in business but my favorite remain’s, Tyger’s of Pan Tang Spellbound Album
I was a frustrated guitar player in the 80s and all the guitarists I knew were very aware of John, guys like him made it clear we should keep our day jobs and just love music and playing for the joy of it.
As far as I know, John didn't solo at all on Slide it in, he just added some rhythm parts over the existing recording. The biggest difference is a complete re-mix, where they took down the keyboards, and also did things like took out the echo in the solo for Standing in the Shadow (which IMO was a bad decision). And Neil Murray re-did the bass. However there is a version of that song that was a B-side from the 1987 sessions that might be Sykes. Although I've also heard it could be Dann Huff. What do people think? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZVfbsM-WTRo.html
2:59 Love Don’t stay / Crazy Nights 3:15 Raised on Rock / Crazy Nights 3:26 GangLand / Spellbound 3:39 HellBound / SpellBound 3:52 Uncle Ben Speaks 4:18 Cold Sweat / Thunder and Lighting 4:46 Uncle Ben Speaks 5:21 Slide It In / Slide It In 5:38 Give Me More Time / Slide It In 6:14 Uncle Ben Speaks 7:20 Crying in the Rain / WhiteSnake 7:33 Bad Boys / Whitesnake 7:59 Still Of The Night / WhiteSnake 8:20 Give me All Your Love / WhiteSnake 8:43 Children Of The Night / WhiteSnake 8:58 Here I Go Again / WhiteSnake 9:27 Your Gonna Break My Heart Again / WhiteSnake 9:45 Uncle Ben Speaks 10:06 Riot / Blue Murder 10:22 Blue Murder / Blue Murder 10:38 Black Hearted Woman / Blue Murder 10:57 Uncle Ben Speaks 11:25 We All Fall Down / Nothin’ But Trouble 11:44 Cry For Love / Nothin’ But Trouble 12:01 Love Child / Nothin’ But Trouble 12:24 Uncle Ben Speaks 12:35 Soul Stealer / Out Of My Tree 12:52 Black Days / Out Of My Tree 13:07 The Way You KISS Me / 20th Century 13:27 Uncle Ben Speaks Link to playlist with all songs ru-vid.com/group/PLBXA-0q87bHcKk6XJ1I4gPkqyEePW_RRW
"Slide it in/slide it in →Give me more time/slide it in" ☝️😧 😌 Hmmmm... So, what......he's Tryna dikk her down, but he can't get it up...??! 🙆♂️ Is that what it is ..?? 😆 Because I defy anyone to try and explain that that means anything other than EXACTLY THAT!! 🙆♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ It's sooo cringe-tastic, I'm sure it busted the cringe-O-metre !
I met Carmine Appice at a drum clinic in late 1988 just before the Blue Murder album was released and he spent ages talking to me and my then girlfriend, now wife, about all sorts of stuff. I'd just started learning to read drum music, so he handed me a copy of Realistic Rock gratis and then we got into the discussion about John. All three of the members of Blue Murder really wanted to do more with that band, but their scheduling was a nightmare at the time, and getting the album done was probably a minor miracle. Carmine was not at all how I thought he would be and had huge respect for Tony and John.
It was evident on Thunder and Lightning that Sykes had something to prove. Being a Gary Moore fan he came out swinging and no telling where Lizzy would have gone of they had stayed together...and healthy. An aside on Sykes is that Bob Rock has said "he's the best guitarist I've recorded." There's also a YT video recounting his audition for GnR that is well worth the listen.
John is also an incredible singer. His live rendition of Still of the Night with Blue Murder is epic. His playing looks so effortless. It took two guitarists to try to replace him in Whitesnake and I don't think they succeeded. Great riffage Ben.
Valley of the Kings is an epic song! John is one of my big influences. I got into his playing while listening to Blue Murder. I only found out afterwards that he was responsible for the epic sound of Whitesnake's "1987".
Thanks Ben for all the great execution, you're playing feels great.... These riffs all sound great in your hands... And Sykes is quite the music maker... I need to listen to more of his work
John Sykes is such a massively underrated complete package of a guitarist, he can shred, riff, write killer hooks and even sing, such a great ace of all traits. As a sidenote I hadn't heard of Blue Murder before this video and HOOOOLY SHIT!
Awesome isn’t it. I’ve heard that Sykes was supposed to be the guitarist in the winery dogs before Ritchie Kotzen got the gig. Love Richie but Sykes with Sheehan & Portnoy Holley crap!
No one ever talks about John's hair? His flaxion mane set new standards of coiffure and bouffant amongst guitar players the world over. Those 4 ply feathered layers with highlighted blonde streaks were leagues ahead of his contemporaries like the dutch farm boy Adrian Vandenberg, who's gouda inflected wisps of dolly pubes were completely outclassed.
Proud to say John and I are from the same town, Reading in England, and he is a huge influence on me as a guitarist, and although sadly never met him, I'm friends with one of his cousins. My town also proudly produced Kate Middleton, Kate Winslet, Mike Oldfield and Ricky Gervais who I was at school with
“Nothin’ But Trouble” is among the greatest rock albums ever recorded in my opinion. John Sykes could easily have been a name on the tip of every 80’s rock fan’s tongue. Timing and circumstance were not in his favor. But he had the guitar chops to rival anyone, a voice to rival anyone, and the 80’s rocker good looks to have been on every teenage girls bedroom wall. He could have been as huge as Bon Jovi, but he just wasn’t.
Man you have no idea how much joy it brings me to see someone praising Sykes!!! Besides Eddie Trunk, nobody truly gives him the recognition he deserves so this video is a godsend for me! Cheers Ben!!!
I am aware of John since Tygers of Pan Tang. He is jawdropping awesome. Later on I even met him while I was recording. He was very nice. So let's face it: He plays killer, sings killer, looks great, is nice....damn, such kinda guys can make one sick. Just kidding. Great video Uncle Ben.
I love John Sykes! That blue murder album is a masterpiece for that time. His playing is ridiculously good. He certainly is underrated. Let me correct that, he’s not underrated he’s just under acknowledged. Which brings me to my next point uncle Ben. Why are you vehemently against spotlighting Schenker? He’s influenced most of your 80s heroes and he’s an unbelievable talent, and really one of the most signature stylists ever. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
Add Vito Bratta from White Lion and Michael Schenker and you have my top 5 right there! (and somewhere in there is Warren DiMartini as well... So yeah, 6 in my top 5, hehe
I'd kind of disagree that 'it's not as good', but it's definitely far more varied stylistically from song to song. Most of his solo albums are the same way. The self titled disc was mostly a straight up hard rock album. 'Nothin' But Trouble' was also mostly a victim of timing. By the time that record was released (1993) grunge had decimated the 80's rock scene, so it unfortunately never got the airplay and attention it was worthy of.
John also put out a new tune last year. Apparently he's got an entire album in the can (according to Eddie Trunk), but he has seemingly gone off grid again since. So, who knows if the thing will ever see the light of day. But, here's the new song from last year: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-32-nrcjswV4.html
I actually prefer the second album (Nothing But Trouble) over the debut album. To me it has more of the Whitesnake 87 album feel. Coverdale was so dumb to fire him-he was the sound of 80’s era Whitesnake.
I like that you mentioned him as a "triple threat" because his vocals were just as amazing as his riffs and leads. When Nothin' but Trouble came out and I heard "Save My Love", I was amazed at his vocal range. That album was released around the time that Boyz II Men were VERY popular and I told my friend that if he asked those guys to record a version of "Save My Love", it would have been a #1 hit at the time! NO DOUBT!
Ben, just like Yngvie Malmsteem, Dave Mustain, Zakk Wyde and the legend himself, Eddie Van Halen, John Sykes defined my High School and College music play list. I love his licks and rhythms. These men defined a generation of music for all of GenX'rs. And made music that we still enjoy and made us pick up the guitar and wanted to play them. Thank you for showcasing his great work.
HA! Born in 1984? Whoa , I am OLD. Well, "Uncle" (more like nephew) Ben, that was a great, great year to make your earthly appearance, my friend. I t was a glorious year for all things American culture: namely Prince Purple Rain, Deep Purple Perfect Strangers, Iron Maiden Powerslave , Judas Priest Defenders Of The Faith , and on and on and on !! One of my favorite years in my lifetime!
John Sykes is an amazing songwriter/guitar player/ vocalist. Sadly, he´s apparently some sort of perfectionist to a degree that borders on obsessiveness. He was supposed to be the vocalist/guitarist for what eventually became The Winery Dogs but that whole thing ended rather unceremoniously. According to Portnoy, he was constantly reworking their songs over and over and over again, to the point that he & Billy Sheehan told him: "Dude, the songs a great. Let us finally record them and get the album out." And then he left the project and they got Richie Kotzen instead. He also has delayed his new studio album more times than anybody remembers. It´s like he wants to brake Axl Rose´s record for the delay of "Chinese Democracy" or something. Personally, I´ve given up on ever hearing this new John Sykes album in our lifetime.
@@axchisler Sykes is supposed to release a new solo album, "it's coming and it's gonna be great and will be epic and everything.... " It's over a decade since he announced it and the only thing he released is a single, which is basically an old, reworked Blue Murder song from the late 90's. Made out of it what you want....
John Sykes, the man who basically redefined how I looked at writing riffs. So many people just don't understand how good of a songwriter he is. Also shoutouts to the anime Black heaven for using Cautionary Warning as their opening song lol
I was in high school and a friend was grooving on his walkman. I asked what was he listening to, and he was nice enough to let me hear 'Slow and Easy' for the first time. I was blown away, and bought the album that weekend. John Sykes guitar sound playing made the self titled album be the EPIC audio experience it was. It is still one of my faves and I bought the Red, White Blue remastered greatest hits as well. Great job exploring one most under-rated guitar heroes.
In addition to being a triple threat, having had the chance to hang with him before and after multiple Thin Lizzy shows, he's not only a super nice dude, but as you'd expect. his hair smells terrific! Thanks for shining a spotlight on this underrated icon. Perhaps this could be a series? If so, I'd like to nominate the late great Criss Oliva for consideration.
Criss Oliva deserves this so much. Still one of the greatest ever to pick up a 6 string. He had that technical crazyness but combined it with his organic/swinging playing style and his crazy tapping melodies. so much intensity. listen to any of his solos on edge of thorns, streets, gutter ballet, hall of the.....well, basically ANY one of his solos. unparalleled
Man, thank you for doing this on John Sykes! I jumped on this video as soon as I saw it on my feed. I found him as a young teen in the 80s and was immediately drawn to his playing, and songwriting, but oh my God, the way he makes his guitar solos sing with his vibrato! I spent so much time modeling my own vibrato from his. Such perfection in his hands.
So happy to see you giving Sykes his dues Uncle Ben. One of my all time favourites. Sykes put out a couple of new songs last year on RU-vid. The second one has an insane solo and is just classic John Sykes. His playing on the recent Gary Moore tribute is beautiful also.
To me, the Thunder and Lightning album is the pre-eminent opus for Sykes. His solos on the title track, Someday She’s Going To Hit Back, and the trade offs he does with Gotham on This is The One are beyond incredible. This album does not get the credit it deserves because it’s one of the heaviest albums of the 80’s, full stop.
@@briandennehy6380 for me you’ve got to get hold of his performance at reading rock festival recorded and broadcast by the bbc at the time.The sun goes down is on another level to the studio version
Sykes is one of my all-time faves. I wore out my cassette copies of Slide it In and Whitesnake ('87) in high school. And the Blue Murder albums were in constant rotation throughout my 20s.
I gotta tell ya Ben. Whenever I have watched anything about John, no one ever talks about Tygers of Pan Tang or even try an touch on the BLISTERING Thin Lizzy CD, Thunder and Lightning. My hidden fav off that CD for a frenzied lead is on the song Someday She's Going to Hit Back. That right there is shredding for all John is worth. Also, the lead John play's in the song he recorded with Phil Lynott called Please Don't Leave me. That solo is AMAZING. Current favs from John is the song Cautionary Warning. That riff he is singing across is bad ass. If you get and chance, and you can somehow find a copy of it, try and find the band called The Three Musketeer's. The only things I have found are live concerts. It's Phil Lynott on Bass, Brian Downey on Drums and John on Guitar. THAT........is filled with shredtastic guitar. Thanks for including Tygers and Thin Lizzy in this Retrospective :-)
Listen to the UK Slide it in album... then listen to the U.S. version. HUGE difference with JS. I'm 50, when that album came out we were all like, "Who is this guitar player!?" Been a fan ever since. Great to see he is still appreciated by newer generations. Yes he is grossly underrated not just for his playing and vocals but the writing. Any fellow musicians out there know how difficult it is to write a really good song, let alone a whole bunch of 'em. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for a great video! Sykes has such an awesome feel for making kickass music and can sing great to boot. Thin Lizzy One Night Only is phenomenal and hard to beat that riff from Cold Sweat. Of course, teaming with Scott Gorham makes an incredible combo. Love those Tribute Les Pauls too. I didn't intend on buying one but found a great deal on a used one and couldn't leave it in the store. One of the best playing Les Pauls I've ever tried.
The Slide It In album was already recorded when John joined (the UK version). His contribution is significant with the heavy rhythm overdubs and smoldering Sykes solos, although some original solos were left. Also, not sure how familiar you are with pre-Sykes Whitesnake, but they re-recorded a number of older tunes with Mr Sykes to “Sykes them up” as it were: Crying In the Rain, Fool For Your Loving, and of course Here I Go Again.
@@mikep9984 No, the original and best, imo, version of Fool For Your Loving was with Marsden & Moody (who both co-wrote it) on Ready an' Willing. The Vai version was on Slip of the Tongue, while Sykes only ever played it live and didn't do any studio overdubs or re-recording of the track.
The reason why I took up guitar and own a Les Paul.....John Sykes. My favorite guitarist. I was 16 when the 1987 Whitesnake album hit. I went to see Whitesnake on tour finally in 1990 and it was Steve Vai. I know...I know...people like him more but I'm just a Sykes fanboy.
I knew John was a killer guitar player as well as a great singer first time I heard him in his band Blue Murder, Song Valley Of The Kings way back in the day of HeadBangers Ball
So aweome you played all those Blue Murder riffs. That was John's most insane playing ever. So glad you included Black Hearted Woman! Jelly Roll is awesome too. And you blew me with away with Cry For Love. That track is epic!!!
Absolutely. I am a Les Paul guy -- which means I will put up with a lot of crap because the reward is that sound. And being that guy, I always liked Sykes as the LP is a guitar that really defines his sound and look. Great riffs, solid lead player. Good singer too. Thanks for this one.
Was never a fan of 80’s music outside of the metal sphere but this retrospective gave me a nostalgic flashback to a time I never experienced. A time where you could go to the theaters to watch Conan the Barbarian and jam out to songs like these on the ride home
I was fortunate enough to see Blue Murder (and King's X!) open for Billy Squier. I was blown away by Blue Murder, absolutely amazed at Sykes' ability to sing and play those incredible guitar parts at the same time. They tore through some Whitesnake material too, playing "Still Of The Night" at what felt like about 25% faster than recorded speed. King's X was playing in their hometown, so they were killing it too. Then Billy and his band hit the stage. I've never felt so sorry for a headliner. He tried very hard and put on a good show, but the openers were the real stars that night.
John Sykes writing and playing on the 1987 Whitesnake album is what drove me to start playing as a kid. An amazing player and writer. At the same as I'm a singer besides guitarist, David's singing had an incredible influence on me even though the 90's came just after I got into it and killed all the wave of awesome hard rock from the eighties with the depressing, heroine induced, sludge of nineties alternative. Great hard rock and metal basically took a nose dive at that point with a few shining groups, but leading to the utter crap that is modern rock and metal today.
Things moved on. Metallica kinda drew a line under heavy music with the Black tour by actually caring about the fans and music. AiC and Nirvana had to move sideways. Unfortunately we lost good singers and upbeat songs along the way. I like death metal but the gigs are a sausage fest 😂
Love it man. So glad you included the stuff post the self titled Blue Murder disc. The second disc and his solo stuff have some amazing tunes that most people don't even realize are out there. The tune he released last year (Dawning Of A Brand New Day), while the riff isn't one of his all time slammers, is still phenomenal. AND, if you look hard enough there in YT land, is another track supposedly from the Sy-Ops disc that was leaked called 'Gates Of Hell'.
Well thanks for that trip down memory lane that 87 white snake album and the blue murder album as well were pivotal in my development as a young guitar player... honestly I probably spent more hours in front of a mirror playing air guitar to those records than anything else lol John Sykes vocals on the blue murder album deserve honorable mention as well
Just on riff's alone, John's a beast. Add singing, lead playing, songwriting, and that cool hair!!! This guy's a frickin' bonafide rock star!!! I could tell you really enjoyed making this video!!! ✌🏻
Sykes is one of the greatest shredders of all time. I still remember when I heard Cold Sweat's live version when I was a kid and it blew my mind. It still does. On top of the shredding, the guy looks great, has a great singin voice and can write great songs. And he can play piano.
One of my all time favorite guitarist, his work with Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder is just legendary. His vibrato is insane😎
John Sykes is a badass. Love his songwriting, singing, guitar playing. The White snake album turned me on to him. I saw him with Blue Murder in Chicago and got to meet him and the band. Real cool guys. I am also puzzled that hardly anyone knows him. Soulful leads and badass riffs.
Thanks for this, had it parked in my watch later but for some reason haven't seen it yet. I have Crying In The Rain as one of my playalongs on my looper. Love how he takes that blues riff from the original on Saint And Sinners and metalises it. He was staying at the same hotel as me after one of his reformed Thin Lizzy gigs like 20 odd years ago. I'd just chatted with Darren Wharton over breakfast(!) and he came down right when I was leaving so he was stood right next to me and we gave each other smiles and acknowledgements as I was checking out. Cool moment!
Great job! Sykes' playing on Thunder and Lightning is to me just as shocking and explosive as Yngwie's introduction with Steeler. The solo on "Baby Please Don't Go" is fucking outrageous.
Those LP Tributes are Gibson’s ultimate hidden gems; super comfortable, very affordable and beautiful to behold. I have a honeyburst with P90s and it’s easily in my top-5 all time favorites.
Sykes is amazing, a real guitar hero! Even with the limited time he was in Thin Lizzy he had a great impact on their style and of course in Whitesnake he became iconic!
