Whitesnake - Is This Love (Obligatory 80's Metal Guitar Cover Pt. 2)

A cover of the classic 1987 Whitesnake ballad and if that video didn't make rolled up sleeves on a suit jacket cool, then I don't know what will. Great guitar work from John Sykes and great writing too. His solo demonstrates that it's sometimes about the notes you don't play! He has killer vibrato as well which is something I'm always wanting to try and get better with. :)

[@bwm5150]

Notation notes can be found at my Patreon here www.patreon.com/posts/37437104 I should note, I've had a few comments asking why I don't play the harmonics. I do, in the second verse, as I treat them as separate parts. It's pretty obvious to me that on the record it's two different parts and I think shortening the sustain of the arpeggios just to play the harmonics doesn't sound good. So that's why I don't play it but as with everything, play it how you feel. If you're looking for something more personal like a Skype lessons or custom content, leave me a message at [e-mail] Cheers!

[@flashy5150]

John Sykes can really write a song.

[@OTCRock4one]

Great guitar tone; and playing

[@Turboy65]

There is absolutely NOTHING in music today that compares with this. Today's versions of rock and roll are so completely inferior to what we had in the 1980s.

[@wernerbeinhart6682]

so true

[@Cpt_Adama]

It’s sad, we will never get any new music like this ever again, back in the 80’s and 90’s so many new bands were coming on the scene I never thought I would live to see it all dry up and blow away. It’s down right depressing.

[@luthiervandros]

It was a magical time for guitarists. Evolutions of preamp gain and trem systems converged. We will never see these times again.

[@DepotGiant03]

I 100% agree I hate my generations music it’s so awful

[@DepotGiant03]

It’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life and people think it’s like the greatest thing ever. This is my music and I wish I could’ve grown up during this time.

[@keithcarman5381]

One of the tastiest lead solos of the 80's or...Ever

[@zac3392]

Funny... just started hearing the notes of this solo in my head... had to play it thru to figure out what song it was from... love this cover!

[@miikavahakangas1452]

.....find a spending my time;waiting for your call...👍🏻👍🏻

[@madden7732]

Mr John Fuckin Sykes :D

[@KH4444444444N]

No. Bro. EVER. TRUST.

[@joshpratt4448]

Yup..I have thought the same thing for years. GREAT SOLO!

[@johnhutsler8122]

Real guitar players know how this song sounds, including all the bends, the timing of the bends, the mutes, etc. This dude nailed it

[@lobatoulr7154]

...👍👍👍👍💀✌

[@monjoorelahi1466]

Agree

[@brandonb4981]

God like, this is simply amazing.

[@tak178]

I cannot describe to you how wonderful it is to see someone do a cover, and show their own style in the mix. You're not John Sykes, and you don't need to be. Your phrasing was impeccable.

[@bwm5150]

Cheers! I appreciate the kind words! :)

[@ericscottstevens]

I borrowed Dad's 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass and listened to this album a lot so I put it in the tape deck. I forgot I left the tape in and Dad took the car back for work. He listened to Whitesnake on two commutes (about 3 hours each) he was old school and real fickle about listening to my 80's music. When he returned from his trip he asked me what is this Whitesnake all about? I was like? what? I said you listened to my Whitesnake tape? He said yes at least a few dozen times So this gets my award for best album of the 1980s if you could get a man born in 1937 to binge listen to it, it must be awesome.

[@Bill-vy3fx]

What is this white snake about😅 to funny.

[@GorditoCrunch343]

John Sykes' solos never fail to amaze. His work with Thin Lizzy before this proved just how good he was to the world

[@saltyapostle44]

Such a shame Coverdale's ego broke up that version of Whitesnake. Sykes is the man.

[@frankfossaceca9616]

@@saltyapostle44 So True man John Sykes is a Phenomenal guitar player man !!!

[@MattG68]

Dude, you mean Lord Vibrato? :) Hell yeah, he's basically the one who made Whitesnake so huge in the 80s thanks to his stellar work on their self-titled album. And he carried that sound into the phenomenal Blue Murder debut album. "Valley of The Kings" is dope AF to this day, man. I got to see him fronting Thin Lizzy once and he kicked ass.

[@claycountykillers]

Ya, you kinda take it for granted since it fits the song so well.

[@chrisfoster9080]

Standing Ovation, Man. That was flawless.

[@perlacarolinasandovalsuazo9372]

My favorite Whitesnake's song!, I love this!

[@choward874]

One of the most beautiful solos ever written!

[@picazzo5150]

Reminds me of a cold dark night as a kid. Not that’s it’s a dark song, it came out during the cold months of the year. Still love this song and the memories I get from it.

[@FC-ce7ij]

Masterclass.... Rhythm, style, timing, pure perfection. Love your covers. Amazing, thank you!

[@howardrosejr]

Sweet, brother. Super sweet. This song was popular when I was in high school. And believe it or not, I am a “brother” who loves rock music. Got turned on to it by a cousin who learned how to play guitar by ear and could play anything. Keep it up, man. You got great skills.

[@rztricky]

See John? It’s not a matter of when we do it’s a matter of when you follow through. We’re all here and this guy is PROOF that we’ve heard every detail and sorrow. Sykes Army stands up. Killer work mate.

[@smalllicks]

gorgeous Jackson and lovely playin'...

[@joshuaperez362]

2:34 the definition of making love to a guitar.

[@JayTronik1]

You really played through the whole song as it was yours. The solo part was absolutely flawless.

[@ademsoyleyici8653]

There is nothing to compare with 80's sound.. And brother you had done a great job really! I feel that amazing guitar tone, what a pleasure!

[@Tyler-ki4yf]

I understand what u mean bro but don't forget that without bands n guitarris from the 50s,60s n 70s there would not be guitarris from the 80s

[@SDesWriter]

Nice choice. Sykes is one of the greats, even when he was just ignoring melody to shred as fast as humanly possible. He and Jake E Lee are two of the most under-rated soloists out there. I still think Jake's live version Bark At The Moon is the best solo I've ever heard (maybe even better than Randy's Mr Crowley). If you still do this you should hit a Gary Moore tune. Talk about an under-rated talent.....when he died barely anyone mentioned it. Broke my heart.

[@sgguitar]

Agree! What Gary Moore did on Thin Lizzy’s “Black Rose” for instance was out of this world!

[@adamwarlock5286]

The thing about Gary Moore was other really good guitarists would turn up to play with him then just put their guitars back in the case lol.

[@stephenmayer5247]

From one guitarist to another.. You are such an amazing player! Great to see someone mastering such wonderful covers. Super tone and technique. Keep it up and you'll go great places my friend

[@bwm5150]

Thanks for the kind words Stephen!!! :)

[@gustavgans7415]

John Sykes ,most unreal Rock guitar player of all time. Nice job man !!!

[@bwm5150]

Thanks Gustav! Yeah Sykesy is killer for sure! :)

[@booberry6715]

I can't believe I'm just now finding this station.

[@roochuckyroo]

HAIR BANDS MY ASS , THE GREATEST MUSIC ERA IN ROCK N ROLL HISTORY , GOOD JOB SLICK .

[@moogee4041]

That’s superb - he had such a lovely lyrical way of playing - nicely done

Stumbled across this looking for something completely different. Outstanding 🙌🏻

[@marcodelao9148]

Probably the best of cover of this song on youtube. Great job man.

[@revientagallinas7773]

Probably?, Is the best cover.

[@daverai9670]

Dude Ur a good guitarist...that cover was really satisfiying to my ear.

[@aenimic]

OMGGGGG the precision in this cover is godlike

[@johngregory7329]

Very well done. They don't write great songs like that today. Music today doesn't have the heart & soul that it did in that time . Keep Rocking. Signed John Gregory Zepbass from Munster Indiana.

[@lucasmallkovich]

When I'm sad, I always play this song to disguise the sadness!!

[@quickwateroutdoors7301]

I’ve seen quite a few versions of this done, especially the solo and this is by far the best. Closest to the recording that I can hear. Well done sir

[@Dacman53]

Still one of my Fav's! I keep coming back to witness it as the first time.

[@divyanshpal5519]

I remember listening to this cover when it released in 2017. It sounds just as amazing today as it did back then! 😀

[@wehrmacht8183]

2019 STILL WATCHING!

[@The7Laws-m1c]

How about 2020

[@adamwarlock5286]

@@The7Laws-m1c Still here 👍😁

[@Rendclaw]

I have always loved that you play all of the parts of a song. Something that you kind of have to do when playing Def Leppard songs, but a great job here playing three and four guitar part sections, especially the chorus

[@bwm5150]

Cheers mate! :)

[@michaelkratz4444]

Crisp and clean! Wonderful solo! Thank you!

[@hotwheels1838]

This is just plain beautiful!!!!! This song never gets old!!

[@JonThompson118]

This is an unreal cover here man, as a player my self it’s all about the timing of the bends and playing the notes 👌🏼. Not to mention the impeccable tone, done this song justice my man

[@icurt06]

Such a cool song! A song that makes me want to get up and jam. Great job : )

[@Hellbent7069]

I love the guitar in this song. So melodic and you play it effortlessly. Well done sir! Thank you for sharing!

[@joedavis4096]

I've always loved the guitar work on this song...great cover!

[@Neverm6ind]

I love this song and band SO MUCH, great job as always !

[@bwm5150]

Thanks Fabrizia!

[@jorgefernandez7053]

I love you Fabrizia!

[@superdave7241]

Such an awesome song, Vivian Campbell said when he was in Whitesnake this was one of his favorites and never changed even one note of the solo cuz it was perfect.

[@rickstamler5931]

This is one of the greatest solos ever written. Nice job on the cover. The phrasing the bends it’s all there

[@Hellbent7069]

Another one of my favorite songs. Very powerful guitar in this one and so melodic.

[@zefolantar]

I’m mesmerized by your mastery of the fretboard! This is my favourite Whitesnake tune and one of my all-time favourite solos. I’m sure John Sykes would be proud! Bravo 👏

[@TreyBDrums]

This is tight as can be. Great job & fantastic sound!

[@brianrb84]

Amazing, just amazing, awesome cover!!!

[@Bill-vy3fx]

Great job, I watched this a number of times.

[@dharmatech]

Ok, how is it possible that I like this version more than the original???

[@bwm5150]

Haha thanks Eduardo! I try to make it that my covers just turn up the guitars more on the original.

[@dharmatech]

@@bwm5150 Oh yeah, I get that. But all the cover videos do that. The guitar tone you get is part of the magic. And the playing. I play guitar and I I know how in rock or metal the guitars can be played hard, loud, aggressive. Here, it's played in such a different way. Almost gently and as an accent to the rest of the band. It's an amazing ensemble effect. I'm enjoying going through your other songs now. (The Martika song made me grab my acoustic and play that haunting chorus.)

[@bwm5150]

Very kind, thanks! I do play lightly, although I use a metal pick too, but I certainly don’t thrash the strings as much as others do.

[@forddriver8827]

Another superb rendition, love the tone in the main solo.

[@milgravis1]

One of mi favorite songs ever..... Excellently done.

[@sergiof8625]

One of my favorite Whitesnake songs, great job!

[@wildae.]

i love this solo and loved your version too. Now, sadly, i am not guitarist but seeing so many guitar players appreciating you makes me realize you did amazing here

[@t-boog2173]

I was never big on the Chorus in this song but Sykes's rhythms, arrangement & solo are brilliant & super tasteful. Even the heavier songs on 87 have a classiness to the rhythm playing. It's a British thing. Which is why I love Frampton too.

[@ShaunPanzer]

Hearing those notes brings me back .... damn nostalgia ! Thanks for sharing !

[@letsgobryden5063]

Beautiful melody! Excellent performance! Nothing can go wrong!

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

Best cover on here dude great tone and…… glad you got a Jackson in your hands there 🔥🔥🤘🏼🤘🏼💪🏼

[@armageddonit92]

Amazing cover bro :) always love listening to your playing closely so i can hear all the details within each song you do. It is so precise it must take you ages to get them to perfection

[@bwm5150]

Cheers bro! I sit with them for a while to get comfortable so usually I've heard them enough to know most of what's going on although there's always bound to be something I miss here and there. :)

[@siddywiddyb]

I always loved that Solo and Song. Well done, you played that perfectly!

[@sensaschonduran6730]

Great job! Really enjoy watching you play. You're effortless and precise. Thanks for posting! People like you make the Internet what it was supposed to be! 👍

[@jamesaiken_]

Unreal as always man!

[@bwm5150]

Thanks James!

[@rustyy5558]

Bloody hell man, you nailed that, I always enjoy your uploads.

[@bwm5150]

Cheers Rusty! :)

[@rustyy5558]

Tx fella, love ya playing

[@tallesbarbosa6190]

Amazing! Amazing in details and time! Very great!!!

[@1976HHHS]

Love it! Awesome guitarist! Thanks for sharing!

[@DarthFlan]

Excellent B!!! I think you and I have the same music tastes. I'll be seeing Def next week in Green Bay WI. !!

[@bwm5150]

Cheers Mike! Hope you enjoy, Joe seems to be back to his best! :)

[@The_GngrBRDMan]

I love your solo outros they’re not super complex, but they are very melodical and fit in with the piece keep Rockin 👍🏽👍🏽

[@edulinares7152]

Instant subscription. Awesome playing and tones.

[@parallelpost]

Never gets old! Great work Mr. Axeman.

[@morpheus9433]

Melhor cover guitarra desse clássico.

[@jeffwangsgaard8542]

Great job!! Whitesnake (and this album in particular) is great! '87 was a very good year for "Metal" fans!!!

[@bwm5150]

Cheers Jeff! Certainly was! Must have been a great year for guitar manufacturers with pointy headstocks also! :P

[@jeffwangsgaard8542]

Pointy bodies, too! Check out Sav's Kramer bass in those days. I always wanted one of those!

[@bwm5150]

Do you mean the good old Hamer Scarab? Loved looking up pictures of that one back in the day. :)

[@jeffwangsgaard8542]

bwm5150 was it a Hamer? I guess my memory switched the name. Keep up the great work!

[@jeremy8293]

So good!!! I always look forward to seeing you making more song covers. Awesome stuff bro!!

[@lewishorsman2219]

It’s one of those songs that never really got appreciated how it should be. The minute I hear that bass and drums I can’t help but feel it through me. One of the best songs ever. Regardless of genre. That guitar solo does crazy things to me.

[@punk839]

1:43 Love that

[@ivangarcia6089]

excelente, esta cancion me causa un remolino de sentimientos,me trae mucha noatalgia,la amo!! la escucho desde los 7 ahorq tengo 15

[@bwm5150]

gracias por ver :)

[@sebastianpizano6610]

Ivan Garcia x2

[@madden7732]

Epica tu foto de perfil bro 👌

[@kerstingravel8160]

A beautiful perfect cover, thank you so much 🤗🫶🏻🎸

[@Robbie2Fly]

Okay you are my new favorite for reals!! You can play all the old school cuts perfectly!! You are a true talent and inspiration for me to get back into singing and playing. Yours truly!!

[@evanolson8115]

Good stuff man!! Would love a break down on how you got that tone! All help would be appreciated it! Thank you for sharing!

[@miguelcastillo2672]

excelente..ya te habias tardado😃

[@fefloria]

i think i just cried thru that solo...DUDE!!!!!

[@ravibissookram6643]

Dude, you're so absolutely cool with these pieces you play. Tone, execution, improvisation, 👍👍👍🤘

[@egyptiangirl5]

This song is my ultimate favorite song... and you do it so beautifully...

[@bwm5150]

Pleased you think so! :)

[@glorialafferte5349]

Me encanta como tocas la guitarra 🎸♥️👏👏👏 saludos desde Chile latino américa ❤️🎶🎵🇨🇱

[@bwm5150]

Many thanks from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@canalmangafake5513]

I don't get tired of listening to you really good

[@rogsolaris7411]

Excellently done. Real cool to listen and watch your playing.

[@Elienguitar]

Bruh, take this sub and like it. As a fellow guitar player, former cover artist I enjoy all this content. Making me want to re-learn all these songs and maybe pick one band and do a one night only tribute. 😎

[@faboxbkn]

Ahh genial!

[@Justforfrolics]

Fantastic! And the solo OMG !!

[@russcosports1520]

Wow absolutely stunning

[@danielzaragoza6486]

Nice tone

[@squiddad1528]

So so good, you did this song the justice it deserves sir.

[@smackdatthang9260]

You allways play some of the best guitar songs man 80s was the best awesome man

[@rbk7876]

17 thumbs down 😂 They must be filled with envy ! Nice riffs 👌👏

[@copp214]

Right you are. Envy is their middle name.

[@adamn5821]

Amazing. Great song from a great band. Have you done any Queensryche? If not you should. Jet City Woman would be a great one to do.

[@bwm5150]

Cheers Adam! I haven't yet but maybe in the not too distant future I'll get around to one. :)

[@codacreator6162]

Adam N Or Eyes of a Stranger

[@shagadelicbaby7302]

Excellent bud. Definitely one of my favourite solo's ever 🤟🤟

[@jameshetfeeeld17]

beautiful play beautiful sound beautiful jackson

[@spinx1200]

Well played, amazing work squire. 👌🏻👌🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🎸🎸

[@jonbenzing2981]

Awesome sounded as it should and not butchered ,

[@bwm5150]

Haha cheers Jonathan!

[@offset5549]

REAL MUSIC with REAL INSTRUMENTS... unlike this trash these days

[@rofguitarchannel7338]

Your cover it such a different things, smooth and details, Also the the tone was amazing. I"m learning a lot. Hysteria was the great. Thanks for your sharing. yeayyy

[@celsohenrique8972]

This song is a classic! Your job about it was great! Thanks again! Greetings from Brazil!!!

[@bwm5150]

Thanks from Scotland!