A genuine superstar in Japan, JOHN SYKES is recognised as one of the supreme Hard Rock guitar heroes of his generation. The lion maned John Sykes first came to prominence as a member of Burnley's STREETFIGHTER before defecting across to the North East of England to the Newcastle upon Tyne based TYGERS OF PAN TANG. Following a clutch of albums for MCA Records, now recognised as NWoBHM classics, Sykes originally left the TYGERS OF PAN TANG to join the OZZY OSBOURNE band following the death of Randy Rhoads, but circumstances prevailed whereby Ozzy decided to stick with temporary axeman BRAD GILLIS at the time.

Sykes had been attempting to assemble his own act BADLANDS at the time with WHITESNAKE bassist Neil Murray alongside LONE STAR and URIAH HEEP frontman John Sloman but this soon ground to a halt. However, Sykes did not have to wait long before an offer came from THIN LIZZY.

Sykes' 1982 MCA single release (featuring the lead cut 'Please Don't Leave Me', later covered by PRETTY MAIDS on the Danes' 'Offside' and 'Stripped' albums) served as an introduction to Sykes joining THIN LIZZY as lead guitarist and featured PHIL LYNNOT on vocals (and co-writing credits) and other THIN LIZZY members.

Sykes was largely credited with the revival of THIN LIZZY, his guitar dominancy and onstage persona injecting renewed life into the band for their 'Thunder And Lightning' album. After the break up of THIN LIZZY, Sykes teamed up with DAVID COVERDALE in WHITESNAKE, being widely acknowledged as rejuvenating that band's career to an even greater degree. His next move was to found BLUE MURDER Initially this project was to involve the veteran COZY POWELL on drums and the BLACK SABBATH credited TONY MARTIN on lead vocals. However, Martin opted out and another BLACK SABBATH man, American RAY GILLEN, briefly took the vocal reins. BLUE MURDER finally settled with Sykes taking lead vocal responsibilities, legendary VANILLA FUDGE and OZZY OSBOURNE drummer CARMINE APPICE with ex FIRM bassist TONY FRANKLIN. Discussions were also held in the late 80's for Sykes to front Canadian Rock act TRIUMPH after Rik Emmett's departure but Sykes opted to remain with BLUE MURDER.

Always a popular figure in Japan, John somewhat inevitably received an offer to release a solo album in Japan during 1995, 'Out Of My Tree' prompting further releases. As with the BLUE MURDER releases, Sykes had by now gained himself a reputation for vocal talents to match his already proven extreme guitar skills.

1996 witnessed the enduring myth of THIN LIZZY when guitarist Scott Gorham was finally persuaded to involve himself in a tribute. Assembled by JOHN SYKES, who had the uncanny ability to mimic Lynott's distinctive vocal style, some of his on the debut BLUE MURDER album highlighting this fact, a band was created going under the title of THIN LIZZY. Other members included Brian Downey, Darren Wharton (having long since formed his own band DARE) on keyboards and bassist Marco Mendoza. This band put in highly successful shows in Japan, Ireland and London with Sykes, naturally, on lead vocals.

1997's solo 'Loveland' turned out to be an album comprising mainly of ballads, the following year's '20th Century' finds noted veteran session man Simon Phillips on drums alongside bassist Marco Mendoza.

Sykes was fronting THIN LIZZY once more for a highly successful round of dates resulting in the live 'One Night Only' album.

The 2000 solo album 'Nuclear Cowboy' saw the services of Mendoza and Appice being employed once again. Also on drums were Tommy O'Steen and Curt Bisquera. During 2002 the guitarist would donate guest guitar to the debut HUGHES TURNER PROJECT album assembled by the erstwhile DEEP PURPLE pairing of GLENN HUGHES and JOE LYNN TURNER on the track 'Heaven's Missing An Angel'. In mid 2002 rumours circulated that Sykes had reunited with DAVID COVERDALE in order to bring about a high profile WHITESNAKE reunion.

Sykes' four Japanese solo albums 'Out Of My Tree', 'Loveland', '20th Century' and 'Nuclear Cowboy' would seemingly be made available for European release through the Z Records label according to official statements in late 2002 but the label subsequently withdrew its offer.

Although active on the live front with THIN LIZZY throughout 2003 and 2004, Sykes returned to solo work, announcing a set of Japanese dates for April. Joining him would be Marco Mendoza on bass, the DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, KISS and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN credited DEREK SHERINAN on keyboards and Tommy Aldridge on drums. These gigs would result in a spin off live album, 'Bad Boy Live', that December. US live work for the Summer would see Sykes partnering up with another guitar hero, former DOKKEN man GEORGE LYNCH.

It was revealed that Sykes, CARMINE APPICE and TONY FRANKLIN rehearsed together during October 2005 with a view towards re-establishing BLUE MURDER, although this did not eventuate.