Blue Murder~Still of the Night 8/20/89 Tokyo,Japan

John Sykes~vocals/guitar, Tony Franklin~bass, Carmine Appice~drums, Nick Green~keyboards

[@jsarkozy]

one man doing the work of 3, lead vocal, lead guitar and rhythm guitar all at the same time...pure talent...plus he writes songs and produces

[@diamondd2778]

Hes amazing!

[@Andre-yq7ce]

Jon Sykes is pure awesomeness, a living legend.

[@wendygould7836]

You said it 💯 jsarkozy 😝

[@Seagal655]

Charismatic on stage

[@txtamaman]

100%.. damn I see why Coverdale wanted him gone.. just a straight beast... on another note, as awesome as Tommy Aldridge is, Carmine kills this in a way Tommy doesn't..... now that's an absolute OPINION of mine, not a musical fact

[@tortminator3675]

Coverdale's biggest mistake was fireing Sykes.

[@ozzulas]

Coverdale fired Sykes, when he realized that everyone was looking at the guitar player instead of the singer!!!

[@phillynott2459]

Sykes suffered a couple years of depression after he was fired from Whitesnake and then that first Blue Murder album didn't sell millions (like it should have) in America. I honestly think John Sykes hasn't released his "new" solo album because nobody buys Rock albums anymore.. Why put years of your life into recording a great record, only to have it illegally downloaded, put up on KZbin so everyone can listen for free, only sell a few thousand copies...if that ?!?! The music industry is total garbage now. Rap, pop, country albums still sell , but rock albums don't because they don't get marketed correctly by the remaining music labels. It's easier and safer for these record companies to hype some solo artist and pass it off as the next big thing

[@ozzulas]

@George Lynch Dixon to me, the Blue Murder debut album is the real follow up to 1987, with even some better songs and singer, just a personal taste of course.

[@alexchimienti8983]

@@phillynott2459 You are right, but it will come back in another form, just like Grundge did,rock'n roll comes back it never dies.

[@UgXvibe]

@@alexchimienti8983 Have you seen this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOQn6WZn9iqjJY

[@JohnnyNation]

John Sykes' incredible guitar talent often overshadows the fact that he was an equally great Rock singer !!!###

[@christopherlarose6054]

True I like his rendition of cold cold sweat as well.

[@marknubani911]

Incredible guitar performance 👏 still watching February 2023

[@TheLoveSignGuy]

John Sykes is like Bigfoot. A beast (of a guitarist/singer) who is rarely seen and when you do get the opprotunity to spot him, it changes your musical life forever

[@davidtee273]

...and he's always BLURRY ON FOOTAGE

[@ginopanteristabootpim7346]

His guitar tone was amazing Sykes rules.

[@JustinFH]

My God John Sykes was so fucking good. Criminally underrated guitarist.

[@danleary4807]

Still is

[@mozartsmate6358]

And what's the opposite of underrated.?

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@danleary4807 How would you know,? Done sod all for nearly 20 years...

[@danleary4807]

@@mozartsmate6358 I’m sure he can still play

[@justinelliott7136]

Who's ever classed John as under rated? He's inspired millions. None of the previous Whitesnake guitarists could deliver those 87 songs like John because they were his songs, his riffs from his heart. One of the best that's ever been.

[@chickeastwater9883]

Wrote it - Sang it - Rhythmed It - Lead It - John Sykes Still of the Night

[@MilesAnastasios87]

He didnt write it alone though

[@umyes5246]

@@MilesAnastasios87 correct. John did the 'non sh1t' bits.

[@MilesAnastasios87]

@@umyes5246 the main riff wasnt Sykes if u wanna know

[@umyes5246]

@@MilesAnastasios87 yes it was. The original, which could be considered nothing like the release was Richie. Sykes Co wrote it, with David and then David (hood winked John) got another guitarist to finish off the plinky fades.

[@MilesAnastasios87]

@@umyes5246 yes if my band wanted to release the album when i was sick, i would have done the same. You, too!

[@azza0575]

My first time watching the original guitarist play the song. It most definitely didn't disappoint

[@mastorey1]

John Sykes the ultimate Legend... brother we need you!

[@2760ade]

The only dude who can sing, play and tune his guitar at the same time!!

[@domenicbell2834]

What a fuckin powerhouse of a player, and it's taken Whitesnake 2 guitarists and a keyboard player to replace him ever since '87..that touch, tone , sonic attack and vibrato is blistering...John changed the landscape of what a single guitarist with that much talent and firepower was capable of ,and set the bar high.

[@mikefromohio6489]

I don't think Carmine even knows that song lol

[@bwgti]

Yeah....Maybe John just threw it out there that night. And Carmine just tried for fake it until you make it. Or play some stuff and see if it all works out. Talented group of guys though. John, Tony and Carmine our all very accomplished and respected musicians

[@hugomartinho2555]

Yeah, Carmine was way off but so was Sykes. Way to fast and out of tune on the low E. Everybody has a bad day,

[@mikefromohio6489]

@@hugomartinho2555 yeah but since it was John Sykes and Carmine they get a pass they're both awesome

[@tommccarron324]

It sounds like Carmine is playing the original version and Sykes is playing some kind of new version.

[@ericnootebos5855]

Yes, it seems like a spontanious decision to play this an Carmine just never played it before.. Anyway’s, still very cool though..

[@james_schneiderwind]

Sykes is just on a whole other level here😳 Playing guitar like that is one thing, but he sang lead vocals at the same time! Unbelievable.

[@mauricioalexismartinezmart8085]

the greatest guitar I've ever heard, is from another world

[@user-io6rq4cq2t]

My first time watching this live show.Again and again watched to look for another guitarist. Can you believe only this man playing lead side and even solo part while singing ？ He is the Godlike musician. He is one of the national treasure.

[@jetsmith6281]

That fucken guitar tone, that fucken lead, that voice!

[@_CYB0RG_]

He wrote the music that was on this Whitesnake album, then he got kicked out of the band as well as everyone else except Coverdale. He wrote the KILLER Whitesnake music and a lot of people don’t know this.

[@thunderstorms2571]

What ever happened to this guy? He is phenomenal to say the least!

[@petethevideoguy2250]

Thank you for watching!

[@thunderstorms2571]

He has a phenomenal voice and guitar skills!

[@erikthered9670]

After Blue Murder he did some tours under his own name, wrote a few solo albums that were more experimental, and reunited Thin Lizzy for some tours as a tribute to Phil Lynott, and that was about it

[@wendygould7836]

What a phenomenal band..I would’ve loved to have seen them live. Judging by this it must’ve been an unforgettable experience!! John Sykes...Sensational vocalist and frontman!!!!💕

[@SDMF71]

I saw him (and got to meet him!) when he was touring with his band Blue Murder. It was a great show...and he said David Coverdale was a tw*t.🤣

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

What a great tone and playing. One of the most influential and underrated guitar players

[@joecooper7803]

Played to a small crowd in Poughkeepsie during a storm and absolutely killed it like it was a stadium Definitely had something to prove!!!!!! Awesome

[@MegaWooMan]

Could you imagine if he went on tour with WS like he was supposed too.. fuck that tone is monsterous 😀

[@jayrusnak]

Sykes at his absolute god-like peak. Saw this tour in Cleveland a few months later. Still the best rock concert musically I've ever seen. And the guy who made me realize that the Ritchie Blackmore tone wasn't what I wanted.

[@sedwards061668]

Sykes is amazing

[@mrtaxi072]

Such a shame he never got to play this as Whitesnake live. JS is on whole nother level when expands the original guitar solo. It's transcendent

[@dannymcmince]

Would have really loved to have seen Sykes tour on the 1987 album...

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@dannymcmince Shouldn't have tried to stab Dave in the back then should he..

[@dannymcmince]

@@mozartsmate6358 True point🤘

[@sharpwildone]

@@mozartsmate6358 John Sykes in an in-depth interview published in the June-July 2017 issue of "Rock Candy" magazine strongly denies he ever suggested replacing Coverdale, if that's what you're referencing...which seems pretty far-fetched. David has a long-standing habit of rewriting history to suit his ego and he's still doing it...Sykes' original credit was "Guitar & Vocals" but both the 2007 and 2017 reissues of 1987 credit Sykes for Guitar only. Classy, eh?

[@lorenrohrich2131]

Adrian Vandenberg and Vivan Campbell would have been an incredible lineup to see they made a powerful combination.

[@wendygould7836]

Tony Franklin..what a legend!!

[@slydogg8919]

I've always felt he is in the same ballpark as EVH sykes is pure 🔥 .

[@JohnnyNation]

IF EVH had the traditional playing chops Sykes had/ he wouldn't have used 2 handed tapping.

[@michaelsinn16]

This was absolutely BRILLIANT!!! What a joy this is. Thanks for posting it!!

[@petethevideoguy2250]

You're welcome!

[@mozartsmate6358]

I wish that little twit Franklin would tread on something sharp. He thinks he's in Kajagoogoo... Sounds like it too.. They look like Ant and Dec in poodle wigs. This may quite possibly be one of the worst musical performances that I have ever witnessed, and believe me, I've seen a few in my time..

[@umyes5246]

@@mozartsmate6358 😀 that ref kajagoogoo did make me laugh. But you can't diss John...

[@nathueil1]

Hot Damn I miss John Sykes on the scene!🤘😑🤘

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Thank you John for that reach over on the low E tuner at 0:37 🤘🏻

[@stevebarker4681]

Man nobodys got John's vibrato. So effortless.

[@PlayFloyd_IN]

From memory, only Dann Huff and Steve Lukather are on the same level.

[@shildeee1]

Jake E. Lee

[@mozartsmate6358]

Who would want it.?

[@frederickcraft1772]

ACE FREHLEY...hee hee

[@sagatuppercut2960]

John makes it look so easy! 🎸

[@joshsherlock2372]

No disrespect but Vivian Campbell and Adrian vandenberg couldn’t come to playing this song the way Sykes plays it he owns it.

[@Gurkan-D.]

no one can get even closer to his vibrato. pure magic. even the band sounds pretty sloppy on this performance, it still sounds great. I wish he had better solo career. I believe he was so obsessed with writing another "is this love".

[@flapjax1317]

Absolutely true on his vibrato - glad ppl exist that are this perceptive!

[@bradleybriscoe2608]

@Gürkan D Sykes has that fantastic big, wide and perfectly even vibrato. Much better than a bar vibrato and much more expressive also....

[@Jimboishere11]

Its awesome. But Malmsteen is also fantastic with his vibrato 👍🏻

[@timothyholmes4588]

and he works in little arppegios that make it sound so awesome with no effort . and he burns on those scale runs

[@mozartsmate6358]

Didn't write Is This Love.. But I know who did, and so does he.... ha ha.

[@ZippyThePinhead]

I would LOVE to know how he does those bends, dive bombs, & all at the end without a wigglestick, yet still be in tune. That has always baffled me.., he amazes me. 🤯 The whole band is great, but being a guitar player John Sykes has always been a favorite. I really wish they'd do Blue Murder a tour again, even with no new music, but new music would be fantastic too.

[@CCHPOUNDER420]

Crazy vibrato skills

[@cairnsmetaltucker5043]

I went this gig, so good memory.

[@thedanksavatron7782]

That debut Blue Murder album is in my top 10 fav album of all time! It sux I never got to see them live!

[@randallbrown3317]

Usually not a big fan of the big hair era 1980's. But....there is no denying the intensity of this band! You'd hate to have to follow this act. Carmine was in another band, with this intensity back in 1970/1973 called CACTUS! There live shows were incredible. So much so in 1970 they were fired from 2 opening for 2 bands.....JIMI HENDRIX, and LED ZEPPELIN! They destroyed the stage. CACTUS was a 3 piece band with a singer. Hendrix remarked to his trio, how in the hell can a 3 piece band with a singer, sound that big? The few shows they opened for Jimi, had Jimi not liking going out there after they finished!

[@davidwolfe9391]

Sykes even holds together with crap drums playing over all the stops - under rated, under appreciated - John Sykes is one of the most melodic vocal and talented guitar player/singers of our time...

[@timothyholmes4588]

when he shreds up a scale it just has balls to it . that's how it's done

[@davidwolfe9391]

@@timothyholmes4588 They could have kicked Coverdale out of Whitesnake and the band wouldn't have missed a lick... It could be why Coverdale kicked Sykes out because Sykes could upstage him on vocals too if he wanted too...

[@alexhicks5889]

Maybe they were trying to play it different from Whitesnake, bright boy?

[@dannymcmince]

Next to Gary Moore of whom Sykes was a massive fan....both brilliant though!

[@MrIgorek13]

@@dannymcmince back then Sykes said he learn a lot from Moore and Blackmore!

[@jefferyrichardson1348]

I watched a lil bit of someone on you tube playing his riffs. Said he was underated, damn how can that be? The dude was an probably still is. I always put him in my top ten of all time.

[@metalheadrelic9873]

Never knew he did his own version of this. His vocals are on par with Coverdale's. 👍🤘❤️

[@gtillman96]

Me either! Should have asked husband! 😇😂

[@metalheadrelic9873]

@@gtillman96 wut?

[@eviltwinband]

he wrote it

[@metalheadrelic9873]

@@eviltwinband and?

[@tammydozier-scott2258]

Well, seeing that he wrote it and Dave stole it…

[@TJRatfink]

how John is not a huge f'n star boggles the mind.

[@tonymontana-uw1bq]

That was mind blowing from John Sykes..

[@krosamaja3407]

I love it, when he is with his guys. You can see, they're having fun 👍💯

[@thehyperspacefamilytree652]

GOD BLESS THIS GUY FOR FIMING THIS KILLER SHOW! This band and brother Vinny's "WWIII" were the saddest victims of GRUNGE.

[@SchroderPhotography]

Pretty cool when you think of it...had this guy not filmed it...a small piece of history would have been lost forever.

[@jjohn464]

Sykes is just an amazing guitarist. Where is the next upcoming Sykes? Haven’t seen it in the US. All good rock these days seems to be coming from everywhere but the US

[@davidsettlemoir7817]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWOQn6WZn9iqjJY

[@rayf7821]

sad but true,just a guitar player from carmichael,ca and waiting for my Gibson les paul in this pandemic bullshit stocks are low or out on equipment guitars,strings and ROCKERS!

[@phillynott2459]

Why release an album that will only sell 5k copies? Most people think music is or should be free now 😭🤦🤦 Some joker will put it up on KZbin and most people (even so called"Fans" ) won't buy it , they will go on KZbin and listen for free. It's a sad state of affairs for Rock Music now. I think Sykes don't want to see all those years and effort spent making the album to be all for nothing. It won't sell well and he will be even further depressed. He must still be upset about being used by Coverdale ... Without John Sykes, whitesnake would never have made it big. Whitesnake was nothing prior to '87, and again nothing after John was fired.. The writing is on the wall, that album was great BECAUSE of John Sykes. If David Coverdale is the reason why it sold 10m copies then point me to the subsequent 10m selling albums .. You can't, because it was down to Sykes writing

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@phillynott2459 Mock Rock..

[@Edje001]

Best version EVER!!!!!!!!!!

[@philstone3859]

Legit, Badass, Gunslinger. The BLUE MURDER album is an all time Hard Rock Classic! it’s permanently in my collection since it came out! John is the quintessential Rockstar. You look up Rockstar and you get a picture of John! Ha Ha! Seriously? That’s just how it is.

[@petethevideoguy2250]

Thank you for watching!

[@powermedal3578]

John Sykes is one explosive and severely underrated guitarist.

[@bigwhisky6157]

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeBrown-bg6wg]

in a league of his own

[@mariec3898]

Simply genius 👏👏❤this song ❤John Sykes

[@tmmyjay]

Never ask Tokyo if they're ready.

[@JohnViguerie]

I Had No Idea. Mind Blown.

[@ewan8127]

A Great Guitarist!!

[@warankind]

Tony Franklin with MC Hammer's trousers blew me away 😂😂😂

[@nicholaskruger9460]

That’s a reason blue murder didn’t go over. Real goofy looking bassist. MTV you had to look cool in a hard rock band.

[@lucianoguitar7755]

spectacular concert! john was on fire that night! And also I love that melodic solo that he played in that song

[@trevor69er59]

Tokyo obviously did not realize what they were witnessing . . .

[@alilacherruse]

They WERE NOT Ready

[@DorianYates5150]

Great Eventide Harmonizer sound.

[@timothyholmes4588]

not taking anything away from Doug Aldrich but John Sykes is the original and created that style.

[@SKIDROWICU812]

Let's listen to it again>>>>>>

[@richardclark5187]

This is what Happens, when Thor , Traded his Hammer in on a Guitar !!!

[@zazz69ed]

people seem to not know he played all the guitar work on that album..and it took two other guitarists to fill in after he was booted by egodale...

[@mozartsmate6358]

Booted out for a disgraceful attempt at treachery,.

[@zazz69ed]

@@mozartsmate6358 how so?? was all egodale

[@MegaWooMan]

Except the solo on here I go again you can tell its Adrian vandenberg because the time us completely different

[@zazz69ed]

@@MegaWooMan unfortunately john sykes was the guitarist that recorded the 1987 version the 1982 version was by the original members... adrian came after sykes was fired and did the tour.. sorry.. ya need to google better...

[@jerk_store]

@@zazz69ed Use your ears. The solo in Here I Go Again is all Vandenberg and that plastic ass tone he got from that Peavy guitar. The rest of the song (and album) is all Sykes.

[@yudhasibarani8476]

Look how easy John handled it all...something that even Coverdale had hard times of doing ithe vocals at the same year of this concert.

[@robertfries108]

I liked the old school tremolo effect between the nut and tuner. That's bad ass

[@AmalteaF.-vx3bp]

Oh, what a beautiful expresion 1:45 at your end of your opinion..... I see that KZbin hasn't censure of bad taste!!! 😂😹👿👽👾🤖👹🦠, my friend Robert Frito 🍤

[@AmalteaF.-vx3bp]

😂😂😂😹😹😹👽👽👽🛸

[@thesoundtraprecordingstudi9562]

Sykes is awesome!! Song is to fast but his talent is unbelievable .. great musician

[@terryknapp8382]

a Steller Performance by All!!!

[@thin2287]

Of course! Here is the translation: "I'm pretty sure I went to this live show."

[@pstock426]

Beyond priceless

[@yokomatsubara2326]

このコンサートに行きました！ お日様のように明るく輝いてフレンドリーだったバックステージのジョンにびっくりしました。

[@buddha7178]

Awesome

[@robertphillips8648]

Thank you for this brother.

[@petethevideoguy2250]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@davidrathbone7730]

John’s a great talent Coverdale could never match that !!!!

[@alexchimienti8983]

David Coverversion is what Robert calls him.

[@tangerinerose3724]

@@alexchimienti8983 hahaha 🤣 love it

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@tangerinerose3724 Smock Rock..

[@mozartsmate6358]

A dried up lettuce has more taste than this...

[@MilesAnastasios87]

@@alexchimienti8983 What is Plant when he sings Coverdale then? Covercoversion?

[@r.g.armstrong2688]

Hey Mr. Appice, ever listened to the original?! No problem, you still manage it like a Boss!

[@mike46278]

Amazing band

[@user-io6rq4cq2t]

Sorry my poor English He is Living National Treasure！

[@powerseostrategy]

love how he tuned his low E string in the middle of a vocal phrase.

[@kinkinmyslinky967]

Great, he doubled the amount of notes in the solo!! Damn you John Sykes!

[@mozartsmate6358]

And you think that's what it's all about do you,? Clown..

[@jmouse68]

John Sykes is just so SICK! No wonder DC fired him...not only is he the one of the most badass guitarists EVER...he even sings better than David. And writes and arranges! The guitar playing is just a monstrosity though, it's crazy that he was not more recognized, although, by musicians of my age [haha] he most certainly is.There are NO guitar players like this in the pipeline coming up. Jerry Cantrell was the last of the old school riffmasters.

[@Fearzero]

Ya because you have heard every single band out there battling in the clubs coming up lol.

[@mozartsmate6358]

I don't think he fired him cos he was sick...

[@valentinaburigo]

not agree with you. He was the best guitar for david vocal. They were the couple! a perfect mix

[@yudhasibarani8476]

Coverdale just got insecure

[@hunter-vg1yn]

John Sykes will always be Whitesnake to me. Doesn't matter who sings it. :)

[@hasrinmacintoshjawie]

Powerful John Sykes

[@40deluxe]

THANKS PETE !!! MISSING THE DUDE SO MUCH - THE BEST BLUE MURDER BAND - ONE FAT FUCKING SOUND BUD !!

[@christophercirocco8611]

Fun, raw. Can’t hear the bass but they rocked it.

[@DougErapps]

Something tells me Carmine "learned" this song back stage moments before the went on stage.....

[@davidyates8880]

Doug, can you start posting some more KZbin vids please, I'm suffering from withdrawals mate 😀

[@buzzbuzzerson3592]

Sounds like he never heard it before.. lol.

[@Zaaxun]

Do you want to be a great guitarist, or great singer, or have great hair. Sykes... Yes.

[@maloosecat123]

Just speechless watching this!

[@duderandomofficialsteelpan2504]

2023!

[@billb.7346]

Man that guitar sounded awesome

[@DadBigE]

My gawd.

[@nbyer4454]

Shame on you David Coverdale. Well done John Sykes

[@Gath8mm]

Three words: John Freaking Sykes.

[@takechandayone5042]

この名曲のサイクスのギターを「もっともっと聴きたい！」という欲求を叶えてくれる素晴らしい映像だ。

[@TheSimba3062]

Fucking incredible!

[@mozartsmate6358]

Yup, Vanarama League..

[@turefromfinland3264]

Awesome version!!!

[@lesbois53]

Yep. John was the best. He really pissed Coverdale off just with his looks and natural talent! Coverdale took most of the songwriting credit as well.

[@w3bexec]

At the time I bet Tokyo had no idea what they just saw (and heard). Damn!

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Epic

[@markd9410]

Wow!

[@DanielGreen-gi3ts]

Don’t be shy to learn the song Carmine.