John Sykes first interview in 10 years with Jason McNamara at NAMM 2019

NAMM 2015, I interviewed Keith Emerson. NAMM 2017, I went to 5150 to meet Eddie Van Halen. Now NAMM 2019 I get the VERY FIRST interview John Sykes in around 10 years. Of course you all know John from Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake on the classic 1987 album and the mighty Blue Murder album. John was kind enough to talk with me in the Gibson booth about what his plans are for 2019 and the FAKE Facebook account getting around pretending to be him.
Red Dragon Guitars faacebook page: / reddragonguitars
KZbin URL; PLEASE SUBSCRIBE: / jasonmcnamara
Facebook "page": VideographerTokyo
Follow me on Instagram: JasonVideoMusicTokyo
Filmed by Matthew Childs.
Edited by Jason McNamara the bald Aussie interviewer in this video.
My website: www.jasonmcnamara.net
With thanks to Zoom for the audio recording equipment.
#JasonVideoMusicTokyo

[@marchanson169]

His tone from the s/t Whitesnake album is unmatched - even with today's technology. He's a monster.

[@euanelliott8068]

Brilliant musician, and has a slight American accent these days so I'm guessing he's based there. Easily the best Whitesnake guitarist though Bernie is great too.

[@supernatural9r406]

I heard Steve Vai wasnt Good enough for white snake.

[@hugofolch876]

Supernatural 9R It's not thag Vai was "not good enough"... He just didn't fit the band's style, Him and Adrian Vandenberg were the most AWFUL choice for this band

[@hugofolch876]

@Dafyd Maddz The Greatest thing about The Doug Aldrich/Reb Beach Duo is their Obvious Contrast. Doug is definitely AWESOME to rips those Sykes Agressive and Staccato licks with his les paul, while on the other side of the ring you have Reb and his liquid fluid lines of tapping. This duo was the best Live Line up the band ever had

[@kungpowmike9799]

Marc Hanson Yes! he’s tone and sound sounded so good on that album

[@marlinleufroy1566]

John Sykes: not only is amazing guitar player with a signature sound he has a wonderful voice as well!!!!! just an supremely talented musician

[@patricksheppard585]

perfectly said....!!!!!!!

[@timpenfield5]

AND HE FRICKEN SINGS, U said it all

[@MrIgorek13]

And Composing ❤

[@TritoneChris]

John Sykes is the epitome of ROCK GUITAR GOD.

[@luisroberto2142]

Master / genius / legend / hero - John Sykes, you're the best. all of us fans are very excited about your return. The world needs you. Humanity wants you

[@frankmcnail6400]

Luis roberto, amen brother!!🤘🏻😇🤘🏻

[@frankmcnail6400]

Luis roberto, that’s beautiful...very nice tribute.🤘🏻💕🤘🏻

[@drjay73]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[@mozartsmate6358]

grow up..

[@richardbinder9662]

My friend's band was rehearsing at S.I.R studios in Hollywood. We were sitting outside of the practice rooms. John came walking in the front door . He had a studded guitar strap slung over his shoulder. We told him we really like his work. He said thanks and walked into a practice room. While the door was open we saw two Marshall half stacks and Carmine Appice. Really cool. We could here them rehearsing what would be the debut Blue Murder album.

[@JasonMcNamara]

HOLY CRAP!!!! That's amazing. What an incredible moment to have to look back on after all these years. Thanks for sharing that story Richard.

[@toneranger]

Great story!!

[@jurgencuypers8350]

Hear, not here.

[@toneranger]

@Jurgen, congrats for being homeschooled and a total Dick 🍋 A great story of meeting a legend and "you're" correcting a spelling mistake. #GetALife

[@jurgencuypers8350]

@@toneranger I thought it was: "your" a dick, but you know best because "your" after all an English speaker (hum) and I'm not.

[@kahmhalen4094]

Best Whitesnake guitarist.

[@REDWASP777]

Yes indeed!

[@davidsamueld2015]

THE Whitesnake sound.

[@rebello3973]

100%

[@DeeJay003]

By a long way.

[@destaagengperwira]

I thought vai, but now him...his musicality is awesomely honest...

[@hagiharayumiko2650]

We WANT YOU back as soon as u can!! Been waiting for DECADES for ur comeback!! John Sykes rules

[@peevee605]

Sykes....for the love of God, come back out from the hiatus and give us some new music!

[@orlandoaugustostock839]

Finally John make a publical appearance.

[@Guitargasm1000]

Pubic appearance

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@Guitargasm1000 brilliant.

[@shizokiller]

Really liked him in Thin Lizzy, they got so damn heavy when he joined. Thunder & Lightning(1983) was straight up Heavy Metal

[@lanceross3633]

Amazing album,very influential guitarist.

[@martintramil8084]

"Like Thunder and Lightning, Goddamn It's So Exciting..."

[@inddarbarreto1746]

Great final álbum from a great Band! Love Lizzy always!

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

He ruined Thin Lizzy. Lizzy were never a metal band.

[@lizzyfan1986]

@@asensibleyoungman2978 exactly

[@mywavesrecords]

The Tygers of Pan tang, Lizzy , Whitesnake - everywhere he went he brought out the best in the songs and added urgency and depth to the music - Live life by Lizzy - Thunder and lightning live with Philo // John Sykes forever

[@schaekker7411]

did sykes ever get to play those whitesnake songs Live?

[@LintBisquick]

with the band? I dont believe so. The way I understand it is DC had some kind of meltdown and started firing the band including Sykes. Before Sykes was cut he was able to finish his guitar solos on the album, then that was it. Pretty sad. Theres a vid of him performing Bad Boys himself which is killer btw.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

That was a fantastic interview as always Jason.

[@JasonMcNamara]

How on earth did I only just see this now??? Thank you Phillip. That means an absolute tonne coming from you. Hope you’re well. We should do a video call catch up sometime.

[@MrDantres]

I love what he brought to Thin Lizzy. Thunder and Lightning is my favourite Lizzy album, in fact one of my favourites from any band!

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

I'm at the opposite end if the spectrum. I hated him in Lizzy. Lizzy weren't a metal band. It was like decorating a cake with concrete.

[@declanodonohoe9589]

I liked Thunder and Lightning, it was new direction for Think Lizzy, but I have to say its not my favourite Lizzy Album, that honour goes to Black Rose.

[@shawnwest9383]

This summer let's celebrate Valley Of The Kings 30 years later

[@tritop]

I'm 58; saw so many concerts in my life; one day I saw John Sykes, some years after Phil Lynott died, playing Lizzy songs and also doing the vocals in Germany; I thought: how could that work, first. I had the chance standing just a few meters away from him. It was the greatest musical experience I had of all my life ever and I was sceptical in the begining if he could shoulder guitar play plus Lynotts vocals . Thank you so much John Sykes for these beautiful experience .

[@ullar.marimamarima4445]

John Sykes is a wonderful guitarist, singer and songwriter..My absolute favorite musician!!🧡

[@toneranger]

Wow Great interview. I met John a few years back in Dublin and he was a gentleman, signed my guitar and had a friendly chat. #JohnSykes let's get #BlueMurder back together again... What a classic album. Look at the #WineryDogs ...there's a market there and so many fans dying to see you 3 live. #JohnSykes legend! If John is reading this, Phil, Gary are gone, they can't play anymore, these are dark times, we, your fans, need you you gave us more than music, great memories, hopes, inspiration, the sound on a record of a lifestyle better ours when we were first listening, all those years ago. #LetItRip

[@lanceross3633]

Great guitarist,hugely influential style. Monster tone, wide vibrato. Truly a master.

[@SlippingintoFiction]

John Sykes is the greatest lead guitar playing / lead singer of all time. He is the supreme master of tone and vibrato. The original Blue Murder lineup of Sykes, Franklin and Appice is arguably the greatest 3 piece band ever.

[@mozartsmate6358]

Nurse ....the screens please. Wasn't there a couple of bands years ago called Cream, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience? .....

[@ancientstar2012]

everyone forgets Nick Green.... the keyboard player.... he was essential to the blue murder album. without the keys it would sound like something is missing.

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@ancientstar2012 Totally agree Joe, people seem to make comments on here without putting their brains in gear,. hence my comment to Slippingintofiction. Nicks name is very, very rarely seen from thousands of posts about Blue Murder. It seems to be all about one person. RIP Nick Green,.. Keyboardist.

[@jasongoad1084]

I think they could have been the greatest 3 piece ever if they had put out more material but for me that honor would go to Rush.

[@AndreaMaccianti]

John what a legend... Can't wait to ear the new record! 🤘💪

[@michaeldiamond76]

one word to describe John Sykes... BEAST!

[@mozartsmate6358]

I can think of a few...

[@tangerinerose3724]

I can think of some myself. 💋🥰❤️

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@tangerinerose3724 Happy new year Rosie, ..still in love with you...

[@mozartsmate6358]

@@tangerinerose3724 Happy new year Rosie, ..still in love with you...

[@stephen5426]

This guy can play his ass off. Great guitarist and killer song writer also! Blue Murder album was soo great.

[@shredseeker8420]

Not to forget that the Whitesnake 87 album owes its entire guitar playing/tone, as well as co-songwriting credits for almost all songs to this guy. Sykes put Whitesnake on the map, not Coverdale. Without threat guitar tone the album would have been another Saint & Sinners or Slide It In, not the huge hit it became.

[@MrIgorek13]

For my.taste even better than WS❤❤

[@mr.z6776]

And we are still waiting...

[@omarkhan29]

One of the absolute best and most underrated guitar players ever! Did not get the recognition he deserved! Brilliant musician and an even better songwriter. Huge fan!

[@tcollier5460]

John has great vibrato, tremendously underrated!

[@MrIgorek13]

Mozart is also tremendously underrated.

[@FlashGrover]

just wow - great to hear from the man!

[@stevesmith3990]

I first saw John with the Tygers Of Pan Tang at Hammersmith Odeon in 1981, then with Lizzy on the farewell tour in '84 - great player!

[@veronicalynnjones3897]

Dang it!! John...very cool to see him out again!! Lets go...2019...Sy-Ops!! Your true fans love you too!

[@jjcollins]

Thats Awesome! A new album and a tour! : ) A LOT OF PEOPLE have been waiting for that! : )

[@jamesevins800]

I watched you in Austin Texas with Blue Murder and John you blew us away!!!!!! Great memory. My band did a cover of "Billy" and we had so much fun with that song. We miss you and look forward to your tours.

[@Stuntguitarman]

Met John backstage with lizzy Offered us beer and chatted top guy as a fan it was awesome.

[@crompton5751]

I would have gone fan boy too, love John Sykes

[@gregg4164]

Yeah it really is hard not too when you run across some of the most excellent musicians that you have followed for the better part of a life time.

[@toby1kenobe]

me too

[@stevehawthorn8733]

Me too, I know his cousin as I'm from John's home town Reading in England, famous for many things including the Reading Festival, Kate Middleton, Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais who I was actually at school with but unfortunately never met John Sykes and he's heavily influenced my playing, although I did meet Gary Moore in Reading town centre a couple of weeks after Phil Lynott died.

[@michaelsievers8476]

Lol too funny...but we love Sykes

[@7stringbassist]

Well done on grabbing John for an interview and keeping yourself calm!! I've been lucky enough to do interviews with musicians I'm a huge fan of and I know how difficult it is 👍👍

[@imlink7666]

After I listened to Still Of The Night isoleted guitar track very closely it was crazy how many details in the riffs this guy did there and obviously in the whole album . It's a shame John Sykes is kind of underrated guitar player .

[@stevenelmore351]

Yeah a new album. I met you when you played in Thin Lizzy John. You were really down to earth and I appreciate the time you and the others spent talking. Can’t wait for the new album!!! Love all your stuff!

[@Diamond_Eyes_24]

GUITAR LEGEND - with the most musical and distinctive vibrato in the universe

[@FrankCastlesConscience]

‘1987’ and the 1st Blue Murder album are extraordinary guitar performances.

[@stewielad]

I stood near John when he was playing with Thin Lizzy, and the guy is a beast on guitar.

[@shadowsong1]

such a hero. his right hand is legend. thanks for this Jason!!

[@maryuline2585]

Just stumbled upon this interview and wow, amazing, thank you so much! Apparently since this interview something went amiss because John's music has not been released yet. Looking forward to anything that he puts out!

[@mr.z6776]

John Sykes has returned!!

[@thedigitalemotion]

Jason, you have literally won the lottery with this interview! Magic!

[@alessiofabrizi7475]

Great Job @Jason McNamara!!! I love John, one of the most understate Guitar Player (with the Major "G") in the world!!

[@erichaheidrich4593]

I can not believe this. I am waiting for this for years !! Finally !! Sykes gave an interview, the legend !!

[@JasonMcNamara]

Believe me, it was pure luck as to how I even got this interview. It was very much a time and place kind of thing.

[@erichaheidrich4593]

Jason McNamara Glad you made it. Wish he ll come back totally and give us some live shows. Waiting for years.. Cheers.

[@leebarnes6671]

@@JasonMcNamara Shame the record company have gone silent on this since this interview!

[@MrIgorek13]

​@@leebarnes6671they broke up😢

[@chemajimenez447]

What a legend and reference for me.. You are great John Sykes!!!

[@stinemusiclessons]

So awesome 🤟

[@tangerinerose3724]

You do know you're flashing the deaf " I love you" sign? This is the metal sign.🤘😉

[@lighthousexiii2391]

What a great guitarist, I just wish he had made more albums like the Blue Murder debut.

[@dcartellone2659]

Alfadex Books same here...great epic stuff. Bought it back in the day when I was 14...now pushing 44.

[@frankmcnail6400]

OMG Jason; YOU ARE THEE MAN!! Well, actually, the “official” John Sykes is the man, but you captured the moment for us. Huge fan of John and feel he doesn’t always get his props, mainly because he is so private and low key. Can’t wait to see him (live) touring again and thanks for sharing this AWESOME video of Mr. Sykes, loved it!!!🤘🏻💕🤘🏻

[@chriswoosley1697]

and 4 years later.....still waiting.

[@fernandes5986]

Awsome at ast the Les Paul Rock master is back. Thank you Jason McNamara.

[@dashriprock7836]

Great to have him back. Hell of a guitarist.

[@tlingen1]

Can't wait to hear the new record John!

[@fuckwitt007]

He's the best thing to happen to Whitesnake and hope he's part of there farewell tour . had the plessure of seeing him during the thin lizzy reboot at the Sheffield city hall with Tommy on drums what a gig that was .

[@johnroberts838]

Excellent interview, John Sykes=Legend, what a Cool Guy, the interviewer was so Respectful 👍👍👍.. Melbourne, Australia.

[@JasonMcNamara]

Thank you John for enjoying my interview. I'm finally catching up on these old comments. I lived in Melbourne for almost 8 years. My favourite city back home. Cheers!

[@dambo6630]

That's MR. Sykes!!!!!!

[@Plowguitarist]

MAXIMUM RESPECT FOR MR SYKES 🙏🏼. Greatest tone and vibrato I’ve ever heard. Still waiting on this album in 2022. ??

[@toddflowers8052]

Cool interview Jason !

[@Blimpus]

Jason you are the man brother. This was bad ass.Thank you.

[@brokenchains]

Awesomeness Jason!!!

[@tcrane8630]

Nice Jason... wonderful. He's looking happy, healthy and focused. Great songwriting, playing and an underrated vocalist. Id have been totally a fanboy. Ya held it together mate..

[@CallforthePriest]

Good interview Jason with a legend!!!

[@paulajane9828]

Awesome interview love your music forever ♥️💯🎸❤🤘

[@VictorManuel-ji1ev]

Greet to hear is back🤘🤘🎸🎸

[@tonypowell250]

Can't wait for your return.

[@leesagomez6615]

My favorite ROCK Guitarist...His Vibrato is Legendary and he is a Cool Cat .....he's BLUE MURDER mate........ Lonestar Leesa .🇨🇱🤠🎸🎶

[@SaintedSons]

And still waiting on John’s new album....”John, you there?” *crickets*

[@litejk5843]

Fantastic dude..Also love the Whitesnake album with Sykes and ofc Blue murder. Nice to see he is an awesome dude

[@mooseknuckle9657]

Sykes is back !!! Beautiful plush tones,great songwriting,and MAN tone. Not wimpy playing that sounds thin as hell. MAN tone. Great to see your back out there John.

[@DavidGray74]

Awesome interview, tHANK YOU ;)

[@JasonMcNamara]

David Gray my pleasure. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. If you’re a fan of Rock Musicians like Sykes, feel free to have a good look through my channel. There’s plenty more exclusive videos on here like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Phil Collen & Alex Lifeson among many others. Cheers from Tokyo!!

[@jimllfaxit]

Wow A new Sykes video. Gonna have to make a coffee and roll a Bob Marley before I watch this

[@warborn_inc.]

Sykes returns!! Come to Atlanta!!

[@ericmcgivern4429]

Great interview with a Fantastic musician & monster of a guitar player!!!!!

[@xavierbalzola880]

A GREAT GREAT soulful and tasteful player...and a TRUE Guitar hero....in the same lineage as the GREAT Gary Moore....and a sweet guy as well...Coverdale eat your heart out...JS MADE you who you are today.

[@MrIgorek13]

They was closest friends with Philo and Gary❤❤

[@shaunclifton5281]

Wow ! I am envious ! Long live John Sykes ! Awesome

[@marcuscafolla7207]

Awesome Jason !! thats all I can say.

[@marceloromero4515]

That was very cool! John seems like a good bloke. The interviewer asked good questions and was a true fan. Excellent job!👍

[@axe2death]

Awesome interview mate! you could see John was happy at the end - great job brother

[@charvelshredder]

Sykes rocks a Les Paul Custom like no other!! Can’t wait to hear his new recording!!

[@mozartsmate6358]

Ever heard of a guy called Jimmy.. . . er somebody. .

[@jhutch1470]

@@mozartsmate6358 Jimmy used strats you moron. You blindly post hate every time you post.

[@tone-talk]

You’re the man! Great job

[@whitedust696]

Thunder and lighting.....still on my turntable

[@andreawagner7352]

Hi John !! Still loving you after many years !!! Miss seeing you play !

[@veronicalynnjones3897]

Okay..I keep watching this like there's some hidden message in it!😂 Where in the heck is Sykes now?!?! 2019 is just about over!!!! 2020??? Miss you Sykes!

[@matslarsson3452]

One of the best. Please come back John

[@davidwright1102]

Holy Moly Jason, John Sykes interview wow I love all his work. Tin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Solo Work. His songwriting and playing is truly amazing

[@MrPaul8870]

This guy is a legend in my book one of the reasons why I learned the guitar lol" bloody luxery " hence the phase the first guitarist to use digital floor equipment on whitesnake 1987 album which should be in everyone's album collection if into nwohm

[@anthonytabura6346]

Well this is Anthony I always been a huge fan of everything you've been a part of you're excellent musician mate..

[@b.rodclark7349]

Great interview!

[@JasonMcNamara]

Thank you.

[@ouyardbird5172]

Love Sykes. the most underrated guitarist of all time

[@rorycunningham5457]

Its about time Johnny.And Jason there is 2 Blue Murder albums the second one"Nothin But Trouble"is killer!

[@DarrellQualls]

Very cool man!!!! Rad video!!!!

[@bermandon]

I met him once during a BM tour - I was young and star struck! But if I met him again someday, I’d cry . In the rain . HA!

[@mozartsmate6358]

ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha, ha, ha ha, ha,............ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha, ha, ha ha,.....

[@rintojulian2680]

I'm a fan of John Sykes, since listening Crying in the Rain - Whitesnakes that's my junior high school era

[@nilotta1]

Well done Jason!🎯😁😜🙏

[@lighthousexiii2391]

Yes, come to Australia, John!

[@TheMysteryG]

Yes Jason 'please come to Australia John !' Great to hear some new stuff soon. Anth.

[@JasonMcNamara]

There's a very good chance he will because Golden Robot Records who he's signed with is based in Sydney. Fingers crossed.

[@danielsansone654]

Sykes just kills. So awesome

[@JenniferPricci]

GREAT INTERVIEW JASON! Sykes looks awesome. 🤘

[@JasonMcNamara]

Thanks Jennifer. I'm just a little behind on getting to my comments. OOPS!!!

[@newavatar2947]

OMG OMG ive got the chills in the best of ways is it really gonna happen?I'm getting the best vibes off this it also sounds like he and Tony Franklin are working on new music.if he signed a multi album deal that means we will be getting even more new music in the years to come wow

[@citizenvixen]

What a Legend ...John Sykes ROCKS!!!

[@thanktheuniverse9438]

What a great clip. Very respectful 👍

[@JasonMcNamara]

Thank you kindly.