Legendary English guitarist John Sykes, who rose to fame with bands like Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, and his own solo project, Sykes, has passed away at the age of 65.

A statement was shared on his social media earlier today (Monday, January 20), breaking the sad news to fans and the music world alike. It reads: “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.”

The tribute continued to highlight his individuality: “He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years.”

Although the loss of Sykes is deeply felt, the statement concludes with a hopeful message: “While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”

The rock community has lost a true icon, but his influence and music will endure forever.