My first guitar hero

I'm so sad. I never imagined that the first essay I would write about him would be after his passing.

His name is John Sykes. To me, he was my first guitar hero. Until recently, I thought Yngwie J. Malmsteen was the first, but come to think of it, it was actually John Sykes. I became a huge hard rock and heavy metal fan after hearing his incredible guitar playing on Still of the Night.

John Sykes wrote most of the killer tracks and played a major role in creating Whitesnake's self-titled 1987 album, Whitesnake. The album was a massive success, selling like hotcakes and reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200. However, Whitesnake eventually disbanded, and unfortunately, Sykes never received the recognition he truly deserved.

Other musicians were hired for the music videos, where they appeared to be playing the instruments. However, the actual music was performed by John and the original recording members. At first, I misunderstood this too. Later, the musicians in the videos went on tour and officially joined Whitesnake, leading many people to believe they were the original recording members. As a result, while the touring members were widely praised, John's contributions went unrecognized. His efforts didn’t get the credit they deserved, and that’s why John Sykes is the ”Unsung guitar hero”.

When I hear the name John Sykes, without a doubt, in my heart, Still of the Night remains my favorite. It’s so powerful that I was completely captivated by it—it’s just insanely cool. A girl who once loved classical music found herself mesmerized by John’s electrifying hard rock guitar playing.

I also really want people to listen to Cry in the Rain. His playing in that song is insane—packed with mind-blowing technique that leaves listeners in awe.
Powerful performance, unmatched technical skill, a signature tone, and those long, soaring vibratos—John Sykes stands out even amongst guitar virtuosos.

But he wasn’t just a guitarist—he was also an amazing rock singer. He had a grungy voice that contrasted sharply with his beautiful face, making him all the more unique.

I will always remember his long beautiful blond hair flowing while passionately singing and playing his Black Beauty Les Paul Custom.

A brilliant songwriter, a phenomenal guitarist, a powerful vocalist, and a striking presence—he truly had it all.

John, you were my first guitar hero. I love you so much.

I feel so lucky to have discovered a hidden gem like you. You gave me endless inspiration, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Rest in peace, John Sykes—the greatest artist, my first guitar hero.