Whitesnake - Still of the Night (John Sykes Guitar Only)

[@mattkaden3483]

“John Sykes Guitar Only” Seems like all you need.

[@Plow-b1x]

You will never replace the human element

[@starexplorers1202]

The guitar tone that actually growls at you like a lion.

[@RobertJ890]

You can hear them tubes screaming 🔥

[@starexplorers1202]

@@RobertJ890 💯%

[@philipcoaxum8792]

You can thank the King Lion of an amplifier in Mesa Mark Colossuem heads he used. Those things are monstrously loud and aggressive. Owning a Mark Series only gets you part of his tone however.

[@alexmbrenner]

He’s so incredible. He deserves more respect than he gets for sure. His rhythm playing alone is so great.

[@DAHENDO23]

The house that Sykes built. His playing on this album has made it possible for the snakes to still be touring, and keeping a huge roster of musicians employed.

[@humanactivated1017]

You just don’t know whitesnake . The previous album was Whitesnake big breakthrough with love ain’t no stranger , guilty of love and slide it in . This album is the top 40 one the mainstream pop fans know .

[@dizzyred1390]

Well uhhh that's what he means...it's the one the MAINSTREAM FANS KNOW...

[@kevgamble]

@@humanactivated1017 That album started the momentum, but on its own terms was only a modest hit, and nothing compared to the success of the '87 album. Slide it In only reached #40 on the US charts (gold certification) and had no charting singles. '87 was 8x platinum in the US alone, had a #1 and #2 hit on the Hot 100 singles chart. That is the album that created their commercial legacy, and Sykes co-writing the whole album was the difference.

[@kevgamble]

His playing and writing - he co-wrote the album with Coverdale. Listening to the brilliant Blue Murder album, it's clear where that Whitesnake '87 sound came from.

[@daveswallow8351]

Coverdale was writing great songs long before Sykes joined and his discography from Burn to the present day is testament to his writing talent. 1987 in my opinion was a step away from what I loved in the early years. No doubting Sykes talent on this record but Coverdale wrote great songs before and after.

[@deepzepp4176]

One of the cleanest, most aggressive guitar tones, ever to put to tape.

[@stevekimmel3841]

Les Paul.

[@jameyd4155]

Amen! Love the tone & attack

[@elmarisco8459]

​@@stevekimmel3841 there's some superstrat involved in the recording of the whole album

[@urizen123]

I love that you can hear him keeping time by tapping his pick against the guitar. It's those details that make these isolated tracks so fascinating.

[@hazor777]

Yes - and the reverb of the room , whether it’s a rehearsal space or isolated, not sure , but those amps/amp is cranked!! I love to hear the ambiance and little nuances Isolated tracks are always interesting to listen to

[@chriscampbell9191]

@@hazor777 And that tiny bit of feedback in the first bit of riffing around 22 seconds in. That kind of stuff really makes these isolated tracks feel like you're in the room listening to him play.

[@blastfromthepast-o1d]

Now I know what I was hearing! Had no idea!

[@springbloom5940]

​@@blastfromthepast-o1d Its a metronome

[@cmorrow132]

​​@@springbloom5940doesn't sound like a metronome, it doesn't have that click. Sounds like iif I tap the pick against the body with the volume up loud

[@vincemartin6402]

Sykes made that album what it was. Take a listen to Blue Murder and you'll agree. A master!

[@MrIgorek13]

Huge Master ❤❤

[@notdynomonkey]

Blue Murder kicked ass. Saw them in AZ.

[@Mark-um5hc]

The original lone up. Long before John came into the picture.

[@WillRock07]

John Sykes is in my top 5 greatest guitarists ever, but what really sets him apart imo is that fucking tone. This imo, is the greatest guitar tone ever recorded. It's like thunder. Absolutely monstrous.

[@lloydtownsend5306]

I agree. I'm especially fond of the clean sound in the middle too. Iconic.

[@LeftistUprising]

It was sooooo beautifully British. For some reason, it evokes amazing British engineering to me like Jaguar and Aston Martin.

[@Hun_Uinaq]

I understand they doubled the amp and/or the track for this one. They made it sound even more massive. Just an all-around great song. Brings back lots of memories for me. I remember when it hit the radio back in 87 and stopped me in my tracks.

[@TatteredSanity1]

@@LeftistUprising like Jaguar, Aston Martin and Marshall Amplification

[@quix99]

Boogies baby!

[@mr.z6776]

That tone and the solo...wow

[@Icelandscapes]

His tone is second to none

[@The73mp73]

Imagine Smith/Kotzen/Sykes.

[@heavymetalhero08]

John Sykes: There is no equal when it comes to making a guitar sing

[@corbett1970]

One of the best rock guitar tones ever.

[@cymro6537]

One of the most aggressive,melodic, creative - and *underrated* guitar players ever....

[@gsxerwhite]

God that intro is the dictionary definition of bad ass rock guitar

[@billnyfeler]

Incredible playing. The middle section is haunting. Sykes wrote and played all the magic on this album, which was arguably one of the best rock guitar albums of the 80s, and that's saying a lot.

[@TheLoner70503]

The interlude before the cellos in this song is brilliant.

[@prithvi9727]

Whitesnake became Whitesnake because of John Sykes 🎸⚡I call their 1987 album "John Sykes' Whitesnake".

[@michaelmiglino6512]

In my opinion, no other Guitarist who played for Whitesnake would have been able to write such an iconic Masterpiece!

[@heavymetalhero08]

John Sykes is phenomenal, he is the best guitar player that I have ever recorded ~ Bob Rock

[@bluestrat666]

What’s crazy about this is Bob Rock recorded Jason Becker on the DLR A Little Ain’t Enough Record. Truly a testament to how great Sykes was. I’d put this track up against any

[@doublestrokeroll]

Bob Rock was basically the one who got this tone. He was working in the same studio at the time and they asked him to come in and help get the tone because they were having trouble. He did.

[@jimmyupson1959]

Not to mention that you got John to bring out the best in his vocals when you produced BM.

[@huntermediaphotography]

Yes Blue Murder was insanely awesome. What a power trio of musicians in that band !

[@tdz69]

Then bob worked with Kirk Hammett. lol

[@mikemills1652]

One of the only players alive that you know its John Sykes playing when you hear him, his passion is heard and felt and it made this one of the greatest guitar songs ever written. This band hired the best guitarists on the planet for 35 years even to this day and they still don't have his mojo.....

[@crusheverything4449]

He’s actually the one and only that you hear and know it’s John Sykes. Literally.

[@megabraddotcom]

That's one of the greatest guitar tracks I've ever heard. Phenomenal playing. Absolute masterpiece of rock and roll.

[@scottnewton9046]

The chord progressions at the 4:00 mark are epic. Just brilliant. A lot of people would like for John Sykes to come out of retirement and record and tour again. I say he’s earned his quiet life in the San Fernando Valley for this one epic track alone. The man has left his mark.

[@nikoniko893]

Yes indeed, I saw Joe Bonamassa play that medley right here on YT.

[@jamespowell1175]

I say Coverdale should get on his knees, and beg John to work with him again! Whitesnake 1987 wouldn't be the hit album without John.

[@StratMatt777]

@@jamespowell1175 Coverdale can't sing anymore.

[@blastfromthepast-o1d]

@@jamespowell1175 Sykes has (now) got a much better voice than Coverdale... and it was a close run thing 35 years ago.

[@A10011]

Agree- always found them to be hugely evocative. Not sure why,.

[@lonniewild9277]

I was expecting this to be great - it's even better than I expected

[@ericmcgivern4429]

1st saw John with Lizzy live in 1983 & was instantly blown away by his playing & Greatness just like the main man Gary we want Moore!!!! To my ears Whitesnake cud have 100 Guitarists & still would not sound as good as Sykesy!!!

[@JeffRyan_88keys]

All of these tracks on this album are genius guitar riffs and vocal melodies. When you look back all these years later you thank god this music and this album was created. What would we hard rockers do without this music??? Thank god for it!!!! Great stuff. Classic mid to late 80s!!!!

[@Deetroiter]

That killer tone and the sustain! Not only can the man shred, he’s a hell of a singer, as well. 2:45 that clarity is ridiculous. Sounds like some Gallien Krueger 250 ML magic

[@jimllfaxit]

That vibrato just after the fast run in the solo. John had great soulfull vibrato. Foolishly it took me years to realize that rhythm and vibrato are of mega importance rather than just fast lead.

[@alexanderguesthistorical7842]

Ironically, for a BRITISH guitarist, John Sykes was the foundation of the "American" sounding Whitesnake. He truly pioneered that sound and IMHO was the real reason why 1987 was such a success. The power, mystery and atmosphere in this particular song was a big factor in the magic of the album, leading to it's success. A much under-rated track. Just a shame DC treated Sykes (allegedly) so poorly. Sykes did so much to establish the re-invigorated band, and got so little out of it personally.

[@crusheverything4449]

Besides the millions of dollars in royalties, yeah.

[@renzocalcagno536]

Blues and R&B influenced many British legends, Clapton, Beck, et al. Then came Hendrix. You could say the same about Eddie... he was doing this high speed bullet stule guitar since late 70s.

[@svensofficialpage7060]

Coverdale was a greedy control freak and Sykes was done with him!

[@elmarisco8459]

Sykes made Whitesnake the band it is today, without him, he put them in the radar

[@ibanez777vbk]

The guitar playing on this album is soooo good it's a master piece,love how John uses vibrato on chords,sounds absolute killer.been my fav guitarist for years.

[@GarryLindsay1]

Mesa Boogie Mark 3, split into 2 amps, and recorded with separate mics, creating small chorus effect, then trouble tracked, so that's 4 in total. Dirty fingers pickup sitting in a Les Paul late 70's Custom. Then you add that aggressive playing style and you get that. One of the greatest guitar recordings ...EVER!

[@geraldrauch1701]

a mesa mark III coliseum i herd...160 watts...and yes, one of the greatest tones ever!!! and i'm a die-hard metal guy...mesa amps rule, pure n simple...have a mark IV and a badlander...cheers all!!!

[@AliTaylor777]

It was two Mesa Colosseums with the second acting as a slave and connected with a chorus pedal between them, IIRC

[@coalfacechris1336]

@@AliTaylor777 Might have been a Lexicon PCM60 between them?

[@karlkanner3467]

i have a MKIII simul-class blue stripe frmo the 80s...that thing will outlive me i think, and it sounds absolutely killer on every type of music@@geraldrauch1701

[@georgitchaikov8846]

Indeed

[@g-willieb3100]

Damn!!! I've been a huge John Sykes fan since his Thin Lizzy days. Such an incredible musician!

[@ScottD44]

Sykes Is One Of The Greatest 🎸🎸🎸Of All-Time!

[@markusaurelius777]

@2216sammy He's not wrong LOL

[@vaportrails7943]

I’ve been researching this as much as possible, so for anybody interested, this is what I’ve come across - Basics first, it’s a Les Paul Custom, and a vintage Strat for the clean parts. The LP originally had a Dirty Fingers pickup in the bridge, but at some point Sykes exchanged it for a more “vintage” PAF style Gibson pickup - it’s not clear if that was before or after this record. Bob Rock was brought in to engineer the guitar sound, because they couldn’t get something they were satisfied with. For the main riffs, he split the signal to two separate Mesa/Boogie Mark III Coliseum heads, and gave one a very slight delay. The parts were then double tracked, split left and right, possibly with some very light chorus, and a lot of (small room) reverb. The reverb may have been an AMS RMX 16, which is what Sykes used in his live rig. So it ends up almost sounding like four guitars - two takes of Sykes playing through two heads at the same time, with effects on top. The clean parts clearly have a lot of chorus, but I’m not sure which unit was used. I also haven’t found any info on what mics were used, but there are likely SM57s in the mix. I’m pretty sure the above information is accurate. It sounds like it. It also probably can be seen as a precursor to the sound of Metallica’s black album, which Rock produced.

[@funkadelicchile]

Any thoughts on the set up for the solo? He must’ve had used a separate guitar with a Floyd tremolo for the dive bombs in the beginning right ? There is 2 tracks and it sounds like they punched in the fast run with Les paul directly afterwards

[@vaportrails7943]

@@funkadelicchile Don’t know. It sounds like some kind of Super-Strat to me.

[@johnnywomack548]

The Dirty Fingers is the bridge pickup used in this track.

[@Fishbulb77]

@@funkadelicchilewhammy bar guitar is a Charvel

[@gregoryvanhalen]

Dude never got credit for so many masterpieces

[@theonlyredspecial]

He got a lot of credit from the right people. Joe Public don’t care. Most of them who liked the hits probably don’t even know coverdales name. We are still talking about his guitar playing almost 25 years later and rightly so. I wore this album out when I was in my teens and still play it

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

@@theonlyredspecial Still can’t believe Coverdale fired Sykes. Bad bad move, plus it fucked Sykes’ career….

[@JesusMcCracken]

Yes he got the credits. He Isn’t doing anything for a very long time now but he can’t live on air alone.

[@MrIgorek13]

​@davidbrucemusicvideo wrong...David fired whole band...

[@renzocalcagno536]

He did. Many of us knew JS from this absolute masterpiece. The fact that we're still discussing this album and his guitar work notwhistanding.

[@Robx-gx8zy]

What a massive tone!!🤘

[@81giorikas]

In the mix only for my taste. It sounds like shit isolated. I thought something was wrong with my speakers. Not the first time it happens in many songs though. In the mix it works.

[@hazor777]

@@81giorikasHahaha!!! You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about😂😂😂

[@81giorikas]

@@hazor777 Talking very serious bro. It sounds like shit here.

[@deepzepp4176]

Yup. superb tone heavy rock tone. The aggression in the sound is incredible.

[@Gfy7365]

Mesa boogie mark 3

[@乾護継]

He is a genius.

[@PhpGtr]

The hell extra notes he plays before the main B C B A B A F# E ?!?!?! Never heard those before and my brain can not process them after 30+ years.

[@gsxerwhite]

I heard them when I was 13 but they were never in any of the transcriptions back then

[@davidemmons899]

@@gsxerwhiteI heard them when I was in the womb, but I hadn’t transcribed them yet.

[@asmilton]

YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!🙌🙌🎸

[@scotth6466]

I know! I was like WHOA! I've listened to and played this myself hundreds of times and NEVER heard that. I don't have the best ears though😆

[@willschut4917]

B C C# A C B A B A F# E B C B A B A F# E F# etc.

[@joyaji926]

ギターの息遣いが聴こえてくるようです。 この手の動画はたくさんありますが、とても聴き入って感動しました。

[@umyes5246]

I remember hearing this back in 87 and being blown away. Saw them in 88 and onward. However, the power and swing of Sykes is unparalleled in my humble opinion. Blue Murder genius.

[@samholcombe3129]

One of my favorite riffs, really awesome to hear everything he did in the song isolated, what a player.

[@kevinprowse406]

Clean guitar is a Strat with chorus and verb. Beautiful sound.

[@Jason-ng2vf]

Classic song with an extremely fast & smooth guitar solo.

[@johnnyguitar65]

Two Mesa/Boogie Mk3 tube amps with gain out the ass…in stereo with a little delay mixed in. Just a freaking monsterously blistering weapons grade tone. The 80’s were full of great guitarist and John Sykes was most certainly one of them.

[@dairenn]

Mesa/Boogie tube amp overdrive on the F-major chord has the major 5th (C) harmonic singing So good, it brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it at the age of 7. This effect apparently caused by playing the open G in the middle of the chord (FCFGXX). I probably listened to this track 1,000 times a month in '87 when this tape first hit. Sykes' tone was simply unbeatable that year.

[@martinscholes2023]

Fuck me. Even better than I expected. Bought this album on release date in the UK. Blown away. ❤

[@Mmmbacon]

That chord slide at 1:15 is absolutely filthy

[@lsu1992]

02:19 Mixing this lick THAT low deserves capital punishment.

[@lsu1992]

O3:23 The very first Sykes riff I learned. No joke. I was 15.

[@thezorba1]

Most underrated guitarist on the planet

[@crusheverything4449]

Not underrated by guitarists.

[@thezorba1]

@@crusheverything4449 At least the ones that know what theyre listening to... I near fell over the first time I heard him play.. astonishing...

[@crusheverything4449]

@@thezorba1 - Yeah, he’s better than most, for sure!

[@georgitchaikov8846]

The Mastermind behind this Album is John Sykes. One of the greatest guitar works ever on a Album .JS is my hero . And of course Neal Murray and Ainsley Dunbar. Great, great rhythm section behind Sykes guitars. This is a fire.

[@teelurizzo8542]

The clean , reverbed and chorused arpeggiated guitars around 3 min. marker are gold.

[@Pinpolloloko]

John Sykes the axe master

[@jordonmunizzi5236]

What a sound. You can almost feel the heat coming off his amplifier.

[@nilsgarcia343]

A groundbreaking recording. Simply marvelous. The work of a true master. It’s ballsy, fierce, sexy and most impoetantly, interesting.

[@rhoadnaroahs]

The isolated guitar reminds me of when I first heard this song. Didn't know a song could be so good!!!

[@pete4531]

As sick as it gets. Sykes is a monster!

[@cliffanderson7544]

The clean guitar is awesome! One of the best middle breaks in any rock song right there!! \m/

[@nikoniko893]

Very cool to hear just this killer guitar playing.

[@Filipmarinchev72]

Phenomenal playing , sound and attitude of John Sykes !!! One of the gratis guitar players ever !!!

[@crusheverything4449]

Nobody proofreads, like ever.

[@bdubdadj]

@@crusheverything4449 I do, every time. lol

[@GibsonLP2010]

Master piece! Loved that song back in the 80's.... And still today.

[@jonasirw1]

Hands down the Phattest Tone from that era.. Thanks very much for posting this.. Its super helpful in learning all the finer nuiances on his parts before a live performance

[@ralfwalter3923]

Amazing tone, amazing album.

[@r.joseph8911]

HUGE Strat fan. But this song is a prime example of the THUNDER that one (extremely talented guitarist) can only get from a Gibson!! 🤘🏼🎸

[@nostreamavailable9090]

He's spectacular isn't he. He proved he was the main talent when he made blue murder and it was also stunning

[@oscarcampos2432]

Chilling vocals from Ray and always haunting riffs from master, Tony Iommi. Metal masterpiece!

[@davemis40]

What ?

[@jameyd4155]

He’s a BAAAAAAD MAN! Loved this time since it came out. Now this isolation of his playing has taken it to an elevated notch. The tone is aggressive and expressive … Damn - love it!

[@MrIgorek13]

Noriya I am in quiet shock of Lovebites!! Rock solid band from Japan!! The best I just find out since Sykes times!! Amazing ❤❤❤

[@Hun_Uinaq]

Wow, that actually held my attention the entire time. I actually managed not to reach for my guitar until the very end when I hit replay. What a great player! It’s too bad they had such a falling out. The man’s contribution to this song was massive. I need to get my hands on a pedal that produces that lovely chorus. Absolutely beautiful in the bridge.

[@dizzyred1390]

Beast of a player with the definition of 80s tone

[@oroman007]

Damn that guitar sounds just as explosive outside of the mix

[@stevesheroan4131]

My favorite vibrato of any player.

[@MarioSaboni]

You’re gonna break my heart again would be a godsend

[@maxrico6660]

Brilliant! Definitely one of the most underrated and under appreciated.

[@davekelly264]

Happy Birthday John Sykes! 7/29/59

[@johnsykes1142]

Quel son....ouaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh....1987...inoubliable....

[@DevinRyanVitek]

FINALLY. Someone posted this again. Thank you.

[@richards6065]

So Beautiful and Mean at the same time!

[@abcdefghijk5095]

Incredible guitarist.

[@jamesmccracken9323]

A brilliant underrated but very powerful and great playing guitarist he is. The guy is so quick and fast too. Blue murder, tygers of pang tang, and white snake ,plus thin Lizzy - incredible player. The guy is awesome and great.- John Sykes .

[@yiannikal5587]

Gives me chills every time I hear this 😊 I love it

[@aeg894]

Imagine having this sound and melody in your head and trying to make it a reality for others to hear your secret language. The last rist in this masterpiece is very old English and medieval.

[@heathday7360]

Thank you for doing this!! Its really freaking cool!! Sykes has a cool tone. He really made the 87 album. Hard to fathom it without him.

[@crusheverything4449]

It’s literally impossible to fathom it without Sykes because HE WROTE THE MUSIC.

[@adamvigil8320]

that's just gnarly.

[@atyt11]

underrated, the 2:45 clean is so good, it should be more pronounced in the mix.

[@cathisanchez6548]

LOVE this!!!! Delicious tone with just the perfect nasty little raunch...GOD I miss this!!!! So grateful I was in the 80s...with REAL music and no AI. the FEEL is so wonderful. Blue Murder anyone?

[@cainm8808]

So awesome

[@slapitman]

Love how you can hear the charvel he used in the bridge section. Clean and chorus and the trem just to act as a vibrato.

[@motley1989]

That guitar sound is incredible and unmatched even to today in my opinion.

[@mentebrillante9131]

SYKES LE DIO IDENTIDAD A WHITESNAKE SIN DUDAS , Y POR MAS GUITARRISTAS COMO STEVE VAI , DOUG ALDRICH, JOEL HOEKSTRA Y OTROS QUE TOCARON NUNCA PUDIERON REEMPLAZAR AL GRAN JOHN SYKES

[@irmaztamal21]

Noriya Matsumoto thank you very much for this

[@donprater6944]

Still my favorite guitar tone of any album, ever.

[@apocalypsenow317]

Best guitar solo, best guitar tone. Forget Zeppelin, forget Van Halen, forget them all. This, hands-down takes the cake.

[@r.joseph8911]

I love all the multi-picking in the rhythm and chord progression parts! I was never a Whitesnake fan, mainly because I didn’t like Coverdale.. but this song was always a standout. Just a perfect composition. Sykes’ playing is unreal.

[@chriswoosley1697]

absolutely incredible,...badass Mr.Sykes

[@jaialaiwarrior]

This guy was a monster!

[@cmorrow132]

John Syjes clean tomes were so ethereal

[@ivicapavlovic3879]

Goosebumps

[@DMC33]

If this was EVH it would have 1 million views John was a master guitarist whose name is virtually unknown Thanks for uploading Any chance you could get the Thunder and Lightning isolated track ?

[@nickhewitt6344]

Agreed!

[@DAHENDO23]

Beautiful part is the 87 album outsold any Vh efforts from 87 on. John

[@anotherwaytafkash]

speechless ..... ❤❤❤❤❤ please more of that !!!!!!!!!!!

[@LS-qw6xq]

Thank you!

[@davidanderson-wn4ep]

It's just everything good about metal! It sounds killer.

[@sanjoyokimpling]

John sykes masterpiece and legacy for WS