John Sykes, a guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy before joining Whitesnake for its smash 1987 album and later forming Blue Murder, has died of cancer at 65.

The British guitarist started his career with The Tygers of Pan Tang in 1980, his bio explains. He spent two years with the band before auditioning for a spot with Thin Lizzy.

He began his career in 1980 with the heavy metal band The Tygers of Pan Tang, before joining Thin Lizzy as lead guitarist in 1982.

Sykes started his career in 1980 when he joined the British band The Tygers of Pan Tang, according to his website. He later joined Thin Lizzy in 1982 as their lead guitarist.