by The Atomic Chaser and The Rocker
John Sykes is the all-around total package, when it comes to great guitar players. If you want a baseball analogy, he'd be Willie Mays. He's a phenomenally powerful and dynamic guitar player; he tempers it with lots of slow, emotional, melodic playing. He can tear your head off or break your heart. Yet his greatest strength is his songwriting. He has an expressive voice, plenty of range, and ability to add a melodic and dynamic vocal element to his music. He can sing "Still of the Night" quite well! On top of that, he's got the classic, rock star/guitar hero looks too. It's just not fair! John is also famous for being the last, great Thin Lizzy guitarist and for co-writing and playing on 99% of the '1987' Whitesnake album that became a big commercial success. Unfortunately, by the time the album hit it big, John was no longer in the band. It took two guitarists to replace him on that tour, and they never replaced his songwriting contribution on follow up albums.
The Rocker and I, after years trying to get a hold of John for an interview, finally got our opportunity. We found John is one of the coolest people you'd ever want to meet. Who is truly dedicated to his music, past and present. John recently released his latest album, 'BAD BOY LIVE', recorded from his recent tour of Japan this past April. John shared some insight regarding his music, his relationship with Phil Lynott, the new album 'BAD BOY LIVE' and his up coming European tour.
DRP: First of all, it is truly an honor talking to you. Thank you so much for your time out of your busy schedule.
John Sykes: Thank you very much! You guys are very welcome, let's do it.
DRP: The new album is called, 'BAD BOY LIVE", can you give some background behind the album?
JS: That's right, the new album is called, 'Bad Boy Live'. It was recorded back in April while I was doing a solo tour of Japan. The band consisted of, Tommy Aldridge on drums, Marco Mendoza on bass and Derek Sherinian on keyboards. We had a great time in Japan recording the album.
DRP: Why record a LIVE album versus recording a studio album?
JS: I had this idea. When I went to Japan I brought along my Pro-tools. I spoke to my manager and told him I should bring them with me and record the shows while I'm there. So my manger talked to a few labels over there. Being that we've recorded there before, it all worked out. Plus it gives a retrospect of my history of some of the stuff I've done.
DRP: We noticed that the material on 'Bad Boy Live' is material that is more of your hard hitting repertoire. Mostly from the Whitesnake, Lizzy and the heavier Blue Murder material. What about songs from album like, 'Loveland' or 'Nuclear Cowboy'?
JS: I was thinking about that, but I just wanted to keep it with the more hard and heavy hitting material and not to throw the fans for a loop. You know that the hard core fans wouldn't know or recognize that material. So I just decided to stick to the material that I know fans will like to hear. The performances that we captured on 'Bad Boy Live' are strong and sound great. So I just stuck with it. I'll probably do something with my other material on our next live album.
DRP: Will you be going out as SYKES or THIN LIZZY on this upcoming tour to Europe?
JS: Actually it will be as Thin Lizzy on this up coming tour in Europe. It will by myself, Scott Gorham, Michael Lee on drums and Marco Mendoza on bass paying homage to Phil's music. It's always fun.
DRP: Some folks out there think that you shouldn't be using the Thin Lizzy banner. Does that bother you?
JS: It's from the heart; it's some of the best music ever written that still stands up today. Come to one of our shows and you can see the people's faces. Everyone of them is having a good time. It's a testament to Phil's great song writing.
DRP: Where would be now, as a musician, if you hadn't met Phil Lynott?
JS: Who knows where I would have ended up? Phil really opened the door for me and took me under his wing. I really love Phil. We had a really great bond together. It was more than us being good friends. There was some kind of special connection between us. I really love the guy a lot and I will forever. I owe a lot my career to Phil Lynott.
DRP: Planning on performing at the "Vibe For Philo" this year?
JS: Unfortunately, we will be on the road. We'll be in Dublin shortly after the event. Even though we will miss the "Vibe", but we promise when we get there we are going to make one hell of a vibe, that's for sure.
DRP: Being that this tour you will be going out as THIN LIZZY, are there any chances of past members coming up and jamming with you?
JS: There is always an "Open Door" for all the guys that have played in the band. If any one of them want to sit in or jam with us. They are always welcome. We're all family.
DRP: Any shows planned for L.A.?
JS: I'll have to check our tour dates and talk to my manager about that. I heard that Deep Purple is going to be doing some shows this year again. We'd love to hook up with them again. I'll keep you posted.
DRP: We're pretty sure you been asked this a thousand times over. A Blue Murder re-union, fact or fiction?
JS: That's other project that I'm looking at of possibly doing again. I talk to Carmine on a regular basis. He wants to put Blue Murder back together again. It would be fun, but it's really all about timing. I'm doing this tour, Carmine is doing the Vanilla Fudge thing and Tony is doing several projects right now. Everybody is doing their own thing right now. So it really comes down to timing.
DRP: As far as guitar players go, who are your influences?
JS: Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore. These are all the guys I grew up listening to. Also Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth. Uli is an amazing guitarist who comes from other planet! Listen to the Scorps' album like, 'Virgin Killers' and 'Taken By Force', he is phenomenal!
DRP: What are your thoughts on the music industry today?
JS: It's a big joke right now. The industry today is going for the quick fix. The whole game has really changed. All the stuff that made being a musician cool has been stripped away. Can you imagine if Pink Floyd came out today? They'd laugh them right out the door.
DRP: Is 'Bad Boy Live' available now?
JS: 'Bad Boy Live' is now available via my website, if any one would like to get a copy.
DRP: John, thank you so much for your time. We had a blast talking with you. It was truly an honor.
JS: Thank you guys! For supporting the music. Thanks also to my fans that have supported me throughout my career. I see you guys at the shows! I had a great time talking to you guys. When we play L.A., please make sure to come see us backstage. So we can hang out and have a drink.
DRP: Sounds good, we'll take you up on that.
We would like to thank John Sykes for doing this interview. Was it worth the wait? You bet it was! Thanks John.
- The Atomic Chaser and The Rocker