The track, ‘My Guitar’, is representative of the bluesy riffs expected of Sykes over his over four decade long career, with an anthemic chorus and a heavy tone, very clearly a product of his later work as a solo artist. Golden Robot have declared that this was already a finished track that Sykes had completed while signed to them, and not a “retrospective reconstruction”.

In reaction to the release, the late Sykes’ family put up a statement on his website, writing that “in 2019, John Sykes parted ways with Golden Robot Records following ongoing issues relating to contractual agreements. Since that time neither John Sykes nor his estate has authorised, entered into, or agreed to any arrangement with Golden Robot Records for his unfinished material to be mastered, released or distributed under their label”.

This clearly contradicts the message of Golden Robot itself, who, when releasing the single, claimed that it was “lawfully permitted under John’s recording agreement, and reflects the shared intention, held while he was with us, to complete and present this material properly.”

The guitarist joined Golden Robot in January 2019, leaving in November of that same year due to contractual disagreements. He never issued an official release with them in his lifetime, although he later independently released two tracks, ‘Dawning of a Brand New Day’ and ‘Out Alive’ in January and July 2021 respectively. At the time he joined Golden Robot, he had not released a studio album since 2000, Nuclear Cowboy, although he did release a live album, Bad Boy Live! in 2004.

Sykes was an icon of the mainstream metal scene of the 1980s, with his flowing blonde locks and killer virtuoso making him a flagbearer for the MTV metal look, especially during his time with Whitesnake, with a firm hand in crafting most of the hits on its eponymous 1987 album, including synth ballad ‘Is This Love’ and the epic ‘Still of the Night’.

He had also been a member of New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers Tygers of Pan Tang, playing on their 1981 classic Spellbound, before decamping to Thin Lizzy for their final album, Thunder and Lightning, which featured a heavier sound. After leaving ‘Snake, he founded his own band, Blue Murder, who exhibited more of a blues rock sensibility.

While the resurrected track remains on streaming services, the situation is certainly unclear, given the way in which the Sykes estate is “deeply concerned”, feeling the release to be “profoundly disrespectful to John’s legacy and to his immediate family”.

Sykes, born in Reading in 1959, embarked on his musical career in 1980 with the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang. He recorded two albums with the group before joining Thin Lizzy in 1982. His tenure with the band saw him contribute to their final studio album, ‘Thunder and Lightning,’ released in 1983. He also toured Europe alongside the band’s frontman, Phil Lynott, as part of The Three Musketeers project.

In 1984, Sykes was invited by Whitesnake founder and frontman David Coverdale to join the band. He played a pivotal role in shaping their sound on the ‘Slide It In’ album and co-wrote some of their most iconic tracks, including ‘Still of the Night’ and ‘Is This Love,‘ featured on their eponymous 1987 release. The album’s critical and commercial success solidified Whitesnake’s place in rock history, though Sykes departed the band before its release.

Following his departure from Whitesnake, Sykes formed the hard rock outfit Blue Murder, releasing two albums that showcased his virtuosity and songwriting prowess. In later years, he led a touring version of Thin Lizzy, honouring the band’s legacy after Phil Lynott’s passing in 1986.

Sykes remained active in the music scene throughout his career, releasing solo material and continuing to inspire generations of guitarists. In 2006, Gibson Guitars honoured Sykes with a limited series release of his custom guitar: a Signature Gibson Les Paul. Despite not always receiving the widespread recognition of his peers, his contributions to rock music were highly regarded. Forbes magazine’s Quentin Thane Singer noted, “While Sykes didn’t see the same worldwide recognition as other like-minded 1980s guitar heroes […] his musical contributions to the genre and capabilities as a guitarist are no less significant.”

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He is survived by his three sons, James, John Jr., and Sean.

A private funeral service is expected to take place, with further tributes pouring in from the music world as they remember one of rock’s most gifted and enduring figures.