JOHN SYKES: My Tribute... My Apology.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

One of the greatest guitar players ever in my opinion! One of the greatest guitar tones I have ever listened to. I love everything that John Sykes has done. This one really sucks. Rest In Peace John! Your guitar playing will live on forever! I absolutely despise Cancer! The guitar solo on Crying In The Rain in my opinion is one of the greatest solos ever.

[@MitchBast-xu7jg]

To this day, his guitar solo on Whitesnakes Cryin in the Rain gives me chills, then goosebumps. It's absolutely genius. Youngsters of today should step back and recognize.

[@metalmickey]

Honestly mate you are a breath of fresh air. So many people on KZbin pretending to be things they aren't, know things they don't etc. And you've come along and it's entertaining but above all you are genuine. It would've been so easy to study up on Sykes for a couple of hours and pretend for a video upload and you don't, and I appreciate that.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, man, I appreciate this comment more than you know. I subscribed to your channel--saw you did a music magazine flip through I wanna watch. Anyway, thank you so much for the kind words.

[@edwardbliss8931]

That '87 Whitesnake album was the soundtrack of that summer

[@beehappy8941]

that 1987 Whitesnake album is the soundtrack of my life - may John Sykes rest in peace, my favorite guitarist of all time

[@JB_Rocks]

Thanks Guru! R.I.P John Sykes, you were a great contributor to the 80s scene. Unreal,65 just like EVH!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man.

[@Ouijawii]

Sykes work on Whitesnake to me is probably the most significant work done on any album. Very sad to hear he is gone. Sometimes when people pass, they hit different. Greg Fulkerson and Steve Lee passing hit me in a similar way that I still feel to this day. Thanks for talking about it, so we can celebrate them together.

[@joesmith9216]

AND BLUE MURDER, that first album is PROG METAL.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

BROTHER, I have been on a Gregg Fulkerson kick lately. Reading old interviews and trying to learn more about him and his bands. I LOVE Blue Tears, and that Attraction 65 album is phenomenal. He got so completely fucked in the record industry. I wanna do a video on him at some point. Do you know how he died? I can't seem to find out. Appreciate your support, man, seriously.

[@Ouijawii]

@@HairMetalGuru419 Yeah man, he had an allergic reaction to a new medication. From what I remember reading he was peacefully sitting on his porch at home and had a sudden aneurysm and that was that. I'm going off a 15 year old memory of something I read once, so I may have a detail wrong. But I think that's correct. They wrote enough songs for 2 albums for their follow up, but got royally fucked by MCA (Mutherfucking Cunt Assholes - a more accurate acronym than the one you like to use). Luckily Suncity records released almost all of it in 2005, and I was on that like a fly on you know what. I had some of their demos, unfortunately some of them weren't polished and finalized like the songs on their debut, but man they still soar. I shit you not my favorite song of all time is from them and its not even close. I'll keep it to myself for now, haha. the word back when they were starting out was people in Bon Jovi's management were not too happy with how similar they sounded and told some big stations not to play their stuff. That's hearsay as far as I know but I believe it. It was 1990 so they didn't have much of a chance, but who knows.

[@ferryportia9442]

No one had heard of Whitesnake in the States until 1987. I doubt Coverdale etc could make an impact with the songs, playing, sound he would have created without Sykes. I'm sorry but Coverdale saying he wrote most of the guitar parts etc is horseshit. Listen to Thunder And Lightning, Blue Murder, you can hear the thread of amazing riffs that only Sykes could produce. Ok John probably wanted everything his own way, but Coverdale seen Sykes get all the attention and didn't want to share the spotlight.

[@JCSYKER]

Sykes was the man who gave a new sound, a worldwide fame to whitesnake, 1987 album is the work of Sykes with a little contribution of Coverdale. who made the riffs, the solos, the new sound?? that guitar tone? and we are not talking that maybe Sykes wrote also the vocal melodies and half or the entire lyrics of the songs

[@mazterford]

One of the greatest…RIP John..

[@Debra-k1f]

This one hits hard! ❤🙏🎸

[@BasedNana65]

Wonderful tribute, beautifully stated. Sorry about your dad. It's not called the long goodbye for nothing. RIP John Sykes

[@HairMetalGuru419]

"The long goodbye." Uggh. Just reading that about brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for the kind words, I really do appreciate it

[@drop830]

Sykes was a really good guitar player. I loved his phrasing, very melodic

[@ThePlunger-i3l]

What a guitar player and singer as well as writer John certainly was. Truly sad indeed.

[@BrewtalBoyz]

John was not allowed to tour on the Whitesnake album because Coverdale knew that Sykes was being recognized for the success of the album.

[@gregbrewer6005]

heaven will never be quiet with these music legends among it. R.I.P. John Sykes

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

Life is precious. We don't realize it until someone leaves it. What is important is our impact on others. Our legacy. Be that music, literature, art etc... Or what we did for the people around us- family, friends, whomever. All are important. May he rest in peace. His music lives on. Not many can say that. 💛

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Amen, Sister.Thanks for all you do for me and this channel, Lorrie. I appreciate it more than you know.

[@planetofthelivingsandman3862]

Aw man. Talk about a guy that never got his due. Blue Murder is just classic. Great vid. Thanks.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you

[@waspfan7881]

This breaks my heart. Jack Russell's passing hit me, but we knew for years he wasn't doing well. I had no idea John Sykes was sick (which he had a right to his privacy). I logged onto KZbin last night, saw your video title, and my heart dropped. I watched your full video, it was very good (sorry about your Dad), and you're right about Sykes, he was simply AMAZING. I spent years looking for things Sykes performed on. If you don't mind a couple of recommendations, I did tell you once before to check out John Sykes: Nuclear Cowboy released in 2000, great album. He also released Out Of My Tree in 1995, Loveland in 1997, and 20th Century in 1997. And if you really want to enjoy what John Sykes offered, check out his live album, Bad Boy Live! from 2004. On this one, Sykes performs songs from Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder. In 2000, another live album was released, Sykes: Live in Los Angeles 1995. And I don't know if you've ever heard of this, but there are two Christmas compilation albums out there called Merry Axemas. There is no singing, it's all instrumental Christmas music. On volume 2, John Sykes performs God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and it is phenomenal. Both albums are great if you like hard rock instrumental music for the holidays, but as soon as you hear the guitar tone on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, you know it's Sykes. For the last few years, they kept saying Sykes was going to release his long awaited Sy-Ops album. I believe even a song or two was released, and I really hope they still release it. It would be a shame for that to disappear never to be heard. Whitesnake '87 was really just the start of what Sykes gave the world, and I hope everyone can discover all the unbelievable good music he put out.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, Bro, thanks for the great comment and the recommendations... and for the thoughts about my dad. I've checked out some of this stuff, but your recommendations gave some more places to go... thanks.

[@JoltinJoe26]

This was so good....and absolutely on point....God bless Sykes!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@carriesitar9155]

Loved John Sykes playing guitar with White snake he was an amazing guitar player he sang on 87 album R.I.P John Sykes you are amazing harmonies with guys

[@roddguns]

It's sad to know that a lot of musicians of this genre are dying these years. It makes me feel bad because I'm a teenager and several of the musicians I admire the most are passing away. I really admire John Sykes and I love the 1st Blue Murder Album

[@joesmith9216]

CHEERS! you would like BABYLON AD too!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks for the response, man. You're a teenager? Wow. Appreciate you checking out the channel and supporting this music, bro.

[@viciouswasinnocent8575]

Thunder and Lightning a guitar masterpiece. R.I.P. John.

[@rhoadnaroahs]

Totally agree, bro. Sykes sang most if not all the harmonies on 1987. Don't forget to listen to Looking For Love, You're Gonna Break My Heart Again and the remake of Standing In The Shadow from the 1987 era. Sykes has a new solo album that has been ready to release for years. Hope we get to buy it someday. R.I.P. John Sykes! ❤

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@FrehleyBurst9-1878]

John Sykes death hit me very hard and I haven't felt this way about many of my Rock N Roll Guitar Heros that have passed away, The last time I was hit this hard was when Cliff Burton was killed in 1986. I had met and spoke with Cliff several times that year while Metallica was on tour in support of Master of Puppets while opening for Ozzy. I was never lucky enought to meet John but I was a huge fan of his early work with Tygers of Pang Tan then Thin Lizzy (Cold Sweat Blew me away) The Slide it In Whitesnake release in early 1984 was always being played by me and my friends, that band was special, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, John and David. When Coverdale fired the entire band and wouldn't even face John like a man made me really look down upon David and I never supported Whitesnake again. Blue Murder was incredible but didn't get the support from Geffen like they should have gotten but the music was still great. My only regret is Never seeing John play live in person. His music will live on forever and his legacy will always be there for me. R.I.P. John Sykes

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks for the great comment, man

[@jimbo-gi7ds]

RIP John Sykes❤

[@kennethhernandez1664]

God bless you, your mom, pop, and entire family. You and your family will be in my daily prayers. I could not hold back the tears when you talked about your pop. Be well.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Wow. Thank you so much. Seriously. Reading this brought a tear to my eye. I appreciate it more than I can tell you...

[@Ratsnake71]

Thanks for this well thought out tribute. John was an amazing player and influence when I was leading guitar as a teen.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@mikaelbodin9178]

Thank you for your emotional and beautiful post. I have listened to Sykes since he was in Thin Lizzy. I even saw him live with that reunited tribute project. He really boosted David Coverdales career and ended up without the cred himself. One of the finest 80s guitarists.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, Brother, thank you so much. Seriously

[@wickedlester5320]

Nooooooo!!! God bless John.

[@demolitionlover77]

Thin Lizzy was the soundtrack for my childhood, and I wore that (1987) Whitesnake tape out in my late teens/early twenties. RIP

[@ashesantics]

Sorry brother I'll keep you in my prayers God bless you and your family ❤

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you, Brother. Seriously, that means more than you know.

[@TheLastPirate1973]

Oh wow! I’ll need to play my Blue Murder album tonight. Thx for the update

[@rory251]

Well said. He was one of the best creative minds

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Amen

[@gellargod]

Huge Sykes fan. I even have his solo albums i had to buy from Japan back in the day. You should listen to the album Loveland. Its all ballads!!. The other ones are Nuclear Cowboy, 20th Century, And Out of my Tree. All a little different. Never heard anybody ever talk about them. I loved Sykes. What a talent.

[@waspfan7881]

That's awesome, I have those albums too, so now you've virtually met someone who would talk about them ;). I also have some albums that probably aren't official releases, or they're compilation albums. They are Blonde & Dangerous, Please Don't Leave Me, I Don't Wanna Live My Life Like You (which is only 4 songs), Chapter One, and the two live albums, Bad Boy Live! from 2004 and Live In Los Angeles 1995 from 2020. I've been waiting years for Psy-Ops to be released... really hoping his family puts it out.

[@gellargod]

@waspfan7881 i have the Blonde and Dangerous cd!!! Awesome!!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

All ballads? Holy shit! haha. Yeah, I need to listen to that stuff. Been trying to dig in to the Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang stuff, too. Damn, you're a real fan. Should've had you on to talk about it.

[@gellargod]

@HairMetalGuru419 yes!!! I am a huge fan

[@straty5598]

It really is sad that John Sykes has gone, so unexpected to all that didn't know he was ill.... He joined a little band local to me, Tygers, and jeez did he elevate those songs with his leads especially. Where he really left his mark on me was when my old mate and I went to see Lizzy on the Thunder and Lightening tour, our first ever proper gig. Wow, they were great but Sykes took those already great songs and breathed new life into them, especially Still in Love With You, nothing short of beautiful. Unfortunately most of us are talking about John because he's gone and that's a real shame, he was a monster player, looked the part for sure but his feel was unquestionable and natural. The music business is fickle and unfortunately talent rarely ensures success and I guess John largely fell into that bracket. Most importantly, I'd say and hope, that he did OK out of the Whitesnake situation, enough so to be able to live the life he wanted to live, be creative whether we got to hear it or not, with his family alongside enjoying a good life. Never to be forgotten...

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you

[@kikiki4592]

Sad, we were all wondering why he wasnt out rocking the world. May he rest in peace and enjoy some time with Phil in the skies.

[@craigmetallaw]

Hearts going out for your family. As an elder law attorney in Tucson, Arizona (although one of our other lawyers is from Fargo) this is something we deal with all the time, and it's heartbreaking. Also been through it with my own mother, and yes, it was truly a blessing for people in that situation to pass and end their suffering and limbo. Stay safe in the cold there!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Sorry you've already been through this as well, Bro. So hard on my mom. Hopefully the Lord takes him home soon. I appreciate you, Brother. Hope you know that.

[@TDE-76]

What a fkin brilliant tribute. Well done sir 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@HairMetalGuru419]

I appreciate it, man, seriously

[@leevee2658]

Very passionate tribute. I know it's too "pop" for some, but I've always loved Straight for the Heart. So much fun.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you.

[@michaelmertig2897]

What's up Metal Guru. All the best to your family. RIP John Sykes. Great guitarist who created some killer riffs. I am a big Rock and Metal fan myself, and your channel is awesome. I am always looking for new bands and music. 1 example is Reckless Love. Good Luck in the future.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for the kind words, Bro, I appreciate it

[@kforcer]

What a legend. I loved Blue Murder and Sy-Ops. One of my favorites. Blue Murder was absolutely terrific, Valley of the Kings was amazing. He was just a total iconoclast, is what I got from him; I think he was such a perfectionist that he didn't necessarily have the amount of output we might've wanted from him.

[@joesmith9216]

every second of that blue murder album is amazing, very prog and technical.

[@kforcer]

@@joesmith9216 You ain't kidding!

[@joesmith9216]

@ yeah one of my favorite driving albums, crank it once every few months.

[@timincal2002]

RIP John Sykes

[@Garyjosephdiabolis]

Great tribute. Never been a fan of Sykes. He was ok. I am a shredder so never really got into the bluesy metal players but still a great musician. R.I.P. Mr. JOHN SYKES.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man

[@ashesantics]

That's why I love your channel brother your genuine and honest, I think if I lived close to ya I think we would be good friends 😆 🤣

[@HairMetalGuru419]

I completely agree, Bro.

[@gregbrewer6005]

R.I.P. to a guitar legend!

[@BrewtalBoyz]

Your last two minutes sums it up for me as well - criminal that he isn't recognized as one of the greatest. Not to pigeon hole his greatness but I've always called him the King of Celestial Stadium Rock. His career 'lack of recognition' exceeds the great Frank Marino. Everything John played on was raised to a much higher level perhaps than it deserved. Long live the legacy of John Sykes.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Amen, Brother

[@benjaminbonilla7142]

Hey man thanks for your video abd also thanks for your sincere, heartfelt words. This news is really hitting me very hard. I am... I was not expecting this. This is a very hard event. And I agree with everything you say about him

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@kevinsmith7-7-7]

BIG Loss Thanks for making this video, also thinking of you're Dad God Bless Guru

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, Kevin. Seriously, I appreciate that.

[@andrewvanhalen1984]

I absolutely adore Whitesnake, Tygers of Pan Tang, and Thin Lizzy. I need to give Blue Murder another chance. RIP John Sykes!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man

[@Heavy_metal_rulez]

I like that you mentioned Ray Gillen being lead singer for Blue Murder line up. There are some demos here on youtube I believe from 1987. Cozy Powell drums on those songs as well. Rip John Sykes

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Yeah, I've listened to something with Ray on it, I remember

[@mattc560]

Awesome tribute Guru! I am a huge Sykes fan and 100% agree he deserves more credit. Glad you are checking out the Tygers of Pan Tang stuff, those albums and Thunder and Lightning from Thin Lizzy are underrated. I've been catching up on all your recent videos, I had a super busy month and a half, but I'm finally back to my regular schedule

[@waspfan7881]

I purchased Thunder and Lightning because of Sykes, and you're right, great album.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Matt! I shit you not, I've been wondering where you are. Was hoping you hadn't gotten bored with my shit! haha, just messing with you, but glad you're back, Brother! That Tygers of Pan Tang stuff is great--shit, I was missing out. Now I need to check out the Thin Lizzy album. Hey, man, thanks again. Hey... if you ever wanna hop on a video sometime, let me know.

[@dontaylor9630]

Well said man.Hopefully he’ll get the credit he deserves.I love the Blue Murder album.You’re a ballad guy so you should dig Out of Love

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Great song. And thanks, man

[@patrickreeves4650]

i empathize with your situation outside of the channel...god bless man. sykes was a unique guy, and never was able to shake free of the anger he felt about the whitesnake situation. blue murder suffered because of it, and his post whitesnake projects all felt like he was timid of being screwed over by a label, a bandmate, or a manager. he was supposed to be in winery dogs, but bailed...and he had a deal with golden robot records that he never was able to put anything out on....a true tortured poet.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Well said, Brother, and thanks for the kind words. Yeah, such a bummer about his life after Blue Murder didn't what it should have. Gun shy... afraid of failure. So sad. Appreciate you, Bro, and glad you're on X now!

[@royburnopp5147]

Awesome tribute, Sykes was AMAZING guitarist. Still of the night, nuff said. R.I.P SYKES. Same with Jake Lee with the blizzard of oz and bark at the moon

[@Garyjosephdiabolis]

Randy rhoads played on blizzard of Ozz. Not Jake. And Jake is still alive so......

[@royburnopp5147]

@Garyjosephdiabolis yeah you're right it was Bark at the Moon and ultimate sin . And of of course I know he's still alive you clearly misread what I was saying I was talking about how he did not get the credit just like John Sykes didn't get the credit

[@Garyjosephdiabolis]

@royburnopp5147 if you really want to hear Jake at his BEST, then check out his real band. BADLANDS.

[@royburnopp5147]

@@Garyjosephdiabolis oh 100%

[@CHillTennisEntertainment]

Vivian Cambell and Adrian Vandenberg replaced John Sykes for the '87 album tour. In 1989, Cambell left White Snake and Vandenberg was forced to temporarily leave to get treatment for a wrist injury that he sustained during a car accident from many years earlier. Steve Vai was brought in and recorded the guitar parts for White Snake's Slip of The Tongue album. Then in 1990, Vandenberg was able to rejoin the band and he played with Steve Vai, until they broke up in September of that year.

[@dannywizz]

And Vivian Campbell got fired too😮

[@lowtaxationworks3589]

Spellbound!

[@BriansFunHouse]

Love Blue Murder. What a career he had. Slide it In is Whitesnake at its best.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

I was in 8'th grade and read a little article in either Hit Parader or Circus magazine just as the first Blue Murder record was being released. I think the song Valley Of The Kings was on the radio a good month before the record was in stores. I bought the album and listened to it constantly about as much as I did say the live Dokken album. I never owned any Whitesnake and only even like 3 songs by the band.

[@svetlanaandrasova6086]

Rip king

[@jayteesgear]

My Dad is in a home. Took alot of balls to say what you did. And the Sykes thing hit me too. HARD! I just got past skin cancer at 47-

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it. And congrats on geting past skin cancer--hope you're in the clear, Brother.

[@gregbrewer6005]

I understand what you mean Anthony, my grandma had dementia and she got to the point were she didn't even recognize her own family or knew our names anymore, she would flip out on us thinking we we strangers, it was really devastating.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

It's just horrible, man.

[@StarshipTrooper2050]

True musician…he will be missed by many…so sad…does anyone know where his cancer was? Hopefully he didn’t suffer. God Speed!

[@ShaneR34]

I very much wish that John & David could have at least put their differences aside, & possibly worked together before it was obviously too late. RiP, John

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Me, too

[@TheChadTI]

Sorry about your family situation man, I've been trhough this exact same scenario. God bless, man🙏 (And yeah that first Blue Murder is like a spiritual sequel to Whitesnakes 1987)

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, seriously, I appreciate this.

[@SpiderStevePhoto]

I was one of those 400,000 Blue Murder sales bought it on cassette back then.

[@waspfan7881]

I have the cassette too! Lol... also have it on CD. That first Blue Murder album is amazing. A few years ago we were going berry picking in the woods, and I was playing the 1st Blue Murder album. My wife, who I met in high school, looked at me and said "You used to play this years ago, I forgot how good it is, can you put this on my phone." She's much more into Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, etc..., but that just shows the power of Sykes. His music was so good, even if you're not a huge fan of the genre, it just grabs you. I will really, really miss Sykes, and be sad we won't be getting anything else from him.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Unreal it didn't go gold.

[@mainzergirl9610]

Events unrelated to us stoke such personal emotions. And it can hurt. Sorry about your father.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you. Seriously, I appreciate it

[@stephensanchez9590]

Well said

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, Bro

[@lowdz68]

Just found out about this from your thumbnail. Shocked and saddened by this. I've missed him these last few years. He lived locally to me and played with my ex-father in law years ago. He said he was a good man. Like Dio, he revitalised the bands he joined, Lizzy and Whitesnake. Blue Murder was an excellent band. The only issue I had with it was the lyrics on some songs (Sex Child I'm looking at you). Hopefully some music will come out posthumously. Would like to hear whatever was recorded with Portnoy and Sheehan. I work with people with dementia - I know how hard it is for families faced with this. Its like grieving for someone who's still alive. Music can be a great connection - playing songs that they loved can get a reaction where other things don't.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks for this great comment, Bro. Appreciate it

[@ashesantics]

Lost a great ❤

[@HairBandBasement]

RIP to such a legendary guitarist! You know I love the Blue Murder debut. Sykes and Coverdale butted heads while making the self titled Whitesnake album. Sykes felt Coverdale was dragging his feet to record his vocals (Dave said it was because of a sinus infection). And Sykes has a reputation for being slow and methodical when in the studio. He was supposed to be in The Winery Dogs but Sheehan and Portnoy wanted to get the album out and parted ways with Sykes on friendly terms. Then they got Kotzen under Eddie Trunk’s suggestion.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Yeah, I remember hearing that Winery Dogs story. So sad.

[@brianmitchell8703]

Blue Murder's Nothing But Trouble album is excellent loaded with rockers and ballads, check out Save Your Love, Dance, We all fall down

[@HairMetalGuru419]

I gotta spend some more time with that one

[@craigmetallaw]

Wonderful tribute brother. This was so emotional, and I think there are a few things that make this loss so hard. 1. He was so ridiculously young, and unlike Russell or Dianno really no great sense of his physical illness that most of us had. 2. He seemed truly a guitarist's guitarist, so many metal guitarists I respect expressing their GENUINE love and appreciation for his mastery, and, while he wrote some of the most popular hard rock songs of all time, he's really not known by the normies.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, Craig, thank you, Brother. Seriously

[@brianthurmond2289]

You can 100 percent know exactly which Slide It In version is his when you hear the other one. I have a Japanese version that has Coverdale interviews between the tracks. Pretty cool.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Yep

[@kimiraikkonen2854]

Im so sorry for you Guru, Rip Sykes, greetings from Germany (yeah my English is not the best)

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Wow, people from Germany watch this stuff? Seriously, thank you, man.

[@kimiraikkonen2854]

@ yeah I mean I watch you since your poison album rankings, but most of the time I stay quiet in the comments tho I tried my best to like the videos xD

[@gunkyzip]

My father passed in 2023 of Alzheimer's, I understand your situation. Not much I can say, just hope for the best for you and your family.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you! Seriously, I appreciate that.

[@heathertiller3644]

I thought Blue Murder was 🗑️ & that’s most of the reason it didn’t get much pub. I loved his work with Whitesnake tho, now that’s some classic stuff there!

[@jamiemay8546]

Please take some time to get to know or appreciate something that is more obscure. And that's what I like about this particular episode

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@rogerweringa9925]

A few months back or a year or whatever, I watched Carmen Appice talking about doing a reunion with Blue Murder. I was really intrigued. Carmen said that John really has gone underground. Just not able to really hear from him. can't find him, blah blah blah. I was like, ah...they'll talk him into it. Well, now it might make sense. Here I am hoping he gives in and does a reunion, but his reality is...the poor guy is fighting an awful disease and fighting for his life. David Coverdale fucked him over! That's why Whitesnake could never be a tier 1 hair metal band. Music was there, but that was bullshit! Ok. My rant over. Guru, prayers for u and ur dad..and ur mom. Life gets shitty sometimes. Gonna go crank 'Valley of the Kings' now.

[@gunkyzip]

As much as I respect Steve Vai, his work on Slip of the Tongue made no sense compared to John Sykes' burning blues. Coverdale made a big mistake firing John.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, man, thank you so much for the kind words... especially for my mom and dad. I appreciate that so much.

[@ricmorpheus2025]

NO!

[@deadtome5381]

I may or may not owe an apology but I have been trying to talk to John Sykes and successfully did so in the last 3 or 4 years and he was the utmost rude,nasty, pretentious,a hole I had ever met in the Rock industry and I admired him so since I was 16 it was really a kick to the balls so to speak but maybe now I know why he was so nasty I didn't know he was dying he must have had prostrate or some other lower invasive cancer he sounded fine on the phone when he's telling me to fuck off. However he was the difficult person to work with because he wanted it all away his way all the time he was 100%. He made a huge impact on the music industry and I do not own and I never did own the white snake 87. R.I.P. jjja❤

[@pcooper3559]

I really don't understand why you posted this comment.

[@crazeyjoe]

I preferred Blue Murder over Whitesnake because imo, Sykes has a significantly better singer than Coverdale. I truly believe that Coverdale was envious of Sykes' extreme talent. May your soul rest Mr Sykes!

[@derrickbonsell]

Feels like cancer is claiming everyone these days. Not just famous people of course but so many people.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

So sad

[@TheChadTI]

I immediately think of the wasted years. YEARS of people trying to be coax him back to music and failing. Eddie Trunk always tried.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Agreed

[@NYCROCKSTV]

I feel the same. John Sykes was a true rock God, a rare talent, who never got his just due. Wish he could see all the appreciation pouring out for him in these last few days, he's a true legend! I guess that's how it always works, once a person passes and it's a fact there won't be any more creative output, their legacy of work is taken stock of and revered. I'm just digging into his solo albums and there is some really great material there too. If you're into the "high energy rock" songs, check out "Look in His Eyes," "System Ain't Working" , and "I Don't Want to Live my Life You" kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHzOenScoLGAbqMsi=Ggwo4JOfAwqhw074

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I'll check out those links. Appreciate it.

[@misterknightowlandco]

From listening to interviews about the 87 album… I think it was something that we’ll never be told. Nothing any of them ever said made sense. I read Bernie Marsden’s book (lead guitarist from the 70’s Whitesnake) and he made it sound like the label was causing drama in that band from the jump because the label wanted Dave to be a solo AOR/Pop artist and Dave wanted to be a rock n roller in a band. Bernie said it as plainly as he could without directly saying it while discussing why the original line got busted up after having their biggest chart success yet with slide it in. My guess is they forced Dave to get rid of John after seeing how well it worked and sank blue murder on purpose as sort of a revenge towards John cuz now they’d never get Dave to be a solo pop star after 87 worked so well. The music industry is really a disgusting business behind the scenes and you kinda gotta be a conspiracy theorist to figure out what actually happens.

[@joesmith9216]

there was and IS a lot of dirty shit in music, it's just about making money with the major labels, WEA however though did release a lot of albums of obscure music, it's amazing what WEA even did release.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

You're right, that whole deal was confusing as shit. The stuff we don't know...

[@viciouswasinnocent8575]

Vivian Campbell not Steve Vai.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Yep, I fucked that one up

[@ThomasBoyce5000]

I was the only black kid who listened to Whitesnake

[@lukejbarnett1]

Hey Anthony my dad is also in a home because he has Alzheimer's. And he's 83 now so just a year younger than your stepdad. Also my mom just turned 76 so just a year older than your mom. So we have those things in common.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Wow, that's unreal, man. Hey, thanks for supporting what I do, and I hope everything is going as well as it can for your mom and dad in dealing with that.

[@inmyhouse11]

Seems like a bad dream. Just sucks. Nice tribute Guru

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it

[@mikez7669]

Sorry about your dad that really stinks. Not to be a know it all but the videos for the 87 album had Vivian Campbell on them not Steve Vai. Whatever my feelings are on Steve’s playing I feel his tone ruined the Slip of the tongue album. As far as slide it in goes it’s my understanding there was a European release with Mickey Moody then David Coverdale wanted Sykes in the band so gave Moody the boot. See a pattern? As a result they redid the guitar parts on the album and rereleased it in an attempt to capture US audiences.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate it. And I knew I jacked up a couple facts, thanks for the info

[@CHillTennisEntertainment]

Awful news! John was only 65 years old. 😢

[@HairMetalGuru419]

So young.

[@troyevitt2437]

Whitesnake has NOTHING TO DO with Hair Metal. Whitesnake is a legitimate offshoot of Deep Purple-Coverdale, Paice and Lord. And yes, I've been hearing "Tigers of Pantene" since the 80s.

[@waspfan7881]

Whitesnake reinvented themselves into Hair Metal and the 1987 album because their biggest hit ever because of it.

[@troyevitt2437]

@@waspfan7881 No, Hair Metal was looks-based talentless crap like Poison, Warrant, etc...W/S can't be considered H/M because they grew out of the demise of Deep Purple with the death of Tommy Bolin.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Don't overthink it, man

[@kikiki4592]

Sykes played on the AMerican release of Slide it In, and he was brought in to make it more appealing to Americans. So that is the thing on the different albums. Screwy thing is Coverdale blames the record company for firing the whole band who did 87 cause they didnt have that American hair metal look, so that is why he hired Sarazo, Aldridge (so hair metal looking, lol), Vandenberg, and Vivian Cambell (he was in the videos not Vai, Vai joined for the next album and tour). Only thing Sykes did not do on 87 was the solo for Is this Love or Here I Go Again, he snuck Vandenberg in to do that, which Skyes heard about and confronted Coverdale in the studio, according to Vandenberg, and that is where they had it out and COverdale fired him. Coverdale also claims to have written half the riffs on 87, which is bullshit. Coverdale has always been a true Snake.

[@HairBandBasement]

Sykes didn’t play the solo for Here I Go Again.

[@kikiki4592]

@ I know, that is when and why Sykes flew to America and went to the studio to have it out with COverdale. He had heard that Coverdale was working with Vandenberg in the studio re doing his solo on the song.

[@charlesday5970]

Slip of the Tongue sucked! I never owned it.

[@kikiki4592]

Blue Murder have a few demos out there with Ray Gillen singing and Cozy Powell on drums. Not bad, but in the end it was better to have Sykes do his thing and let Ray go on to kick ass with Badlands. I think Blue Murder would of had a better chance if they had a good name, the name sucked, it sounded like some European Death Metal band rather then a heavy rock band.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

I agree, not the greatest band name.

[@joesmith9216]

@@LarryFleetwood8675 nope, awesome name. BLUE MURDER even stayed underground, awesome band with a good reputation.