Riff Retrospective: John Sykes

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 2 лют 2022
  • Snag your official SHRED TILL YOU'RE UNDEAD merch here!!!! vonkowen.threadless.com/colle...
    Downloadable practice tracks, bonus guitar lessons, and MORE here: / benellerguitars
    This week, all my Patreon supporters, even at the $1 level, get access to TABs to go along with easy week's lesson, PLUS practice tracks to help you get them up to speed, PLUS PLUS a sick bonus lesson showing you how to take this idea and put it in descending form!!!
    Grab last week's practice tracks at a variety of tempos, plus the midi tracks so you can build your OWN workout, PLUS the downloadable TABs here! / 50395556
    How about a treasure trove of drone tracks that i made!? 12 root notes, 12 major chords, and 12 minor chords, for a total of 36 super long drone tracks! Its everything you need to learn all your scales in every key! Here's the direct link you need: / 49828461
    Snag your official Shred Till You're Undead merch here!!!! I'm so excited about getting some sweet merch made, i hope you all love it!!! vonkowen.threadless.com/colle...
    Wanna learn ALL the notes and master the board? Here's the lesson you need: / 45181774
    The BEST Half Hour of Alternate Picking Practice EVER: / 33563344
    The secrets of note targeting revealed: / 38535524
    My followup to my Ditch the CAGED System video: / 40492155
    Get sweet deals on all the nice things i use here as part of @Sweetwater Guitar Month!!! Sick deals on all kinds of good stuff: imp.i114863.net/jxdA0
    hey guys!!! its your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here with a very special Riff Retrospective on one of the greatest guitarists of all time: John Sykes! His careers with Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, and of course his solo career have yielded a megaton of incredible riffs, and we are here today to celebrate them!
    Armed with a Mesa Badlander 100 rack mount, Suhr RL/IR, Ownhammer IR, Logic Delay and Reverb, a Boss SD1, and my buddy Mitch's Les Paul Tribute, i'm gonna take you all through his entire career, spotlighting some of his greatest riffs from across his career.
    Whats your favorite Sykes riff? And who should i feature on the next Riff Retrospective? Let me know in the comments!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,4 тис.

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  2 роки тому +177

    Thanks for watching Riff Retrospective: John Sykes!!! Who should cover on the next installment?!

  • @Sodacake
    @Sodacake 2 роки тому +332

    People say no one swings like Eddie, which is true, but they should also say that about Sykes. Such a great groove in his playing. He just adds so much "drama", for want of a better word, to songs.

    • @davidemmons899
      @davidemmons899 2 роки тому +17

      No one swings like Eddie

    • @jebjebson8743
      @jebjebson8743 2 роки тому +14

      Yeah but nobody does swing like Eddie

    • @mikeg.9238
      @mikeg.9238 2 роки тому +28

      Been following Sykes for 40 years and don't know why he's never included in any discussions about great guitarists!

    • @Sodacake
      @Sodacake 2 роки тому +18

      @@jebjebson8743 And no one swings like Sykes.

    • @chrischoir3594
      @chrischoir3594 2 роки тому +4

      John Sykes is nothing compared to Eddie. Eddie was a pioneer one of the few.

  • @chrisleriche
    @chrisleriche 2 роки тому +80

    1987 and Blue Murder are probably the best 1,2 punch as far as guitar albums go at the time. Thank God for Bob Rock who helped John get his tone for Whitesnake, then carried it over to Blue Murder.

    • @SteveFullerBikes
      @SteveFullerBikes Рік тому +2

      100% agree on this

    • @BigErnieBrown
      @BigErnieBrown Рік тому

      💯

    • @Swampster70
      @Swampster70 7 місяців тому

      Bob is great at blending the tones of a couple of amps to get a huge sound. John had a couple of Mesa Mark 3 coliseum amps. 150watt monsters both set to different tones for that massive wall of sound.
      I wonder how much of those sessions carried over to what Bob did with Metallica on the Black Album.

    • @seanyiscubsfan1
      @seanyiscubsfan1 4 місяці тому

      @@Swampster70I believe those Mark III Coliseums are 180 watts.

    • @smackatiger_420
      @smackatiger_420 Місяць тому +1

      Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a madman

  • @joec5962
    @joec5962 2 роки тому +130

    To me as a guitar player for 40 years, the 87 Whitesnake album is one of my top 3 guitar tones of all time. John’s solos have the smoothness and sound of a violin. Between his tone and his flawless rhythm and solos, he is only next to Steve Lukather as the most underrated guitar players of all time. Guitar perfection as far as I am concerned!

    • @scottglasson1957
      @scottglasson1957 2 роки тому +1

      The tone is a bit to saturated.. but the playing and songwriting puts it in my top 10 guitar albums

    • @richardblack3385
      @richardblack3385 Рік тому

      @@krillinroshi9312 lmaooooo

    • @krillinroshi9312
      @krillinroshi9312 Рік тому

      @@richardblack3385
      I’ve just reread what I supposedly wrote; and its weird to me because I actually love that album; played it endlessly, so many memories; John Sykes is an absolute maestro of the guitar.
      Unheralded musical genius; solo for ‘Is this love’ absolutely mesmerising, equal to any lauded lead solo...
      ???
      Not sure what i was meaning in that deleted post; but obviously way off the mark...

    • @rtaylor1105
      @rtaylor1105 Рік тому

      agreed

    • @richardblack3385
      @richardblack3385 Рік тому

      @@krillinroshi9312 your a great saiyaman

  • @The_Wood
    @The_Wood 2 роки тому +90

    Absolutely right - John Sykes is indeed one of the most underrated guitarists ever. He is an absolute MONSTER of a player!

    • @lorettahookano6139
      @lorettahookano6139 Рік тому +3

      Blue Murder, at his best, running on all cylinders !

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 5 місяців тому

      ​@@lorettahookano6139you need to listen to him with Thin Lizzy (Renegade & Thunder n Lightning albums)

    • @lorettahookano6139
      @lorettahookano6139 5 місяців тому

      @@rishz7857 yep, I remember first hearing the Thunder & Lightning album when Tower Record’s was still in business but my favorite remain’s, Tyger’s of Pan Tang Spellbound Album

  • @DrAL00isin
    @DrAL00isin 2 роки тому +38

    I was a frustrated guitar player in the 80s and all the guitarists I knew were very aware of John, guys like him made it clear we should keep our day jobs and just love music and playing for the joy of it.

    • @ljdsam
      @ljdsam 2 роки тому

      As far as I know, John didn't solo at all on Slide it in, he just added some rhythm parts over the existing recording. The biggest difference is a complete re-mix, where they took down the keyboards, and also did things like took out the echo in the solo for Standing in the Shadow (which IMO was a bad decision). And Neil Murray re-did the bass.
      However there is a version of that song that was a B-side from the 1987 sessions that might be Sykes. Although I've also heard it could be Dann Huff. What do people think? ua-cam.com/video/ZVfbsM-WTRo/v-deo.html

  • @dougrmoe
    @dougrmoe 2 роки тому +49

    Sykes is a beast ! That Blue Murder stuff is bad ass !

    • @JDWDMC
      @JDWDMC 2 роки тому +2

      I met Carmine Appice at a drum clinic in late 1988 just before the Blue Murder album was released and he spent ages talking to me and my then girlfriend, now wife, about all sorts of stuff. I'd just started learning to read drum music, so he handed me a copy of Realistic Rock gratis and then we got into the discussion about John. All three of the members of Blue Murder really wanted to do more with that band, but their scheduling was a nightmare at the time, and getting the album done was probably a minor miracle. Carmine was not at all how I thought he would be and had huge respect for Tony and John.

    • @suprchickn7745
      @suprchickn7745 Рік тому +1

      Tony is such a nice guy and he responds to almost every post on his channel.

  • @israelmalveira9992
    @israelmalveira9992 2 роки тому +2

    Mr. Sykes is a true beast. Great to see people apreciating that

  • @Wyldwulf
    @Wyldwulf 2 роки тому +11

    It was evident on Thunder and Lightning that Sykes had something to prove. Being a Gary Moore fan he came out swinging and no telling where Lizzy would have gone of they had stayed together...and healthy. An aside on Sykes is that Bob Rock has said "he's the best guitarist I've recorded." There's also a YT video recounting his audition for GnR that is well worth the listen.

  • @rockonbaz
    @rockonbaz 2 роки тому +3

    Sykes is up there with the best of them, come back John ASAP please!!!!!

  • @stevehawthorn8733
    @stevehawthorn8733 2 роки тому +23

    Proud to say John and I are from the same town, Reading in England, and he is a huge influence on me as a guitarist, and although sadly never met him, I'm friends with one of his cousins.
    My town also proudly produced Kate Middleton, Kate Winslet, Mike Oldfield and Ricky Gervais who I was at school with

    • @jfo3000
      @jfo3000 2 роки тому +2

      Sounds like a wonderful town to be in!

    • @alexhigh5363
      @alexhigh5363 Рік тому

      Hi Steve I’m reading also. Any idea when he left Reading? Can’t find much info on it

    • @stevehawthorn8733
      @stevehawthorn8733 Рік тому

      @@alexhigh5363 here's the link to John's bio on his official site

    • @1allspub
      @1allspub 27 днів тому

      Man, what’s in the water in that town? 😂

  • @erikhelkimo
    @erikhelkimo 2 роки тому +33

    The ’Thunder And Lightning’ album blows my mind every time I listen to it. Full of awesome riffs and solos. Seriously underrated guitarist!

    • @nickhewitt6344
      @nickhewitt6344 2 роки тому +3

      That whole album is a masterpiece my favorite song is the last one heart attack!

    • @TV-nm6nl
      @TV-nm6nl Рік тому +2

      Love the riff to Holy Wars.

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 5 місяців тому

      Down on your luck (Hollywood) & Thunder n Lightning solo brings chills to me everytime I hear it. Love that heavy sound.

  • @sinbad2247
    @sinbad2247 2 роки тому +28

    2:59 Love Don’t stay / Crazy Nights
    3:15 Raised on Rock / Crazy Nights
    3:26 GangLand / Spellbound
    3:39 HellBound / SpellBound
    3:52 Uncle Ben Speaks
    4:18 Cold Sweat / Thunder and Lighting
    4:46 Uncle Ben Speaks
    5:21 Slide It In / Slide It In
    5:38 Give Me More Time / Slide It In
    6:14 Uncle Ben Speaks
    7:20 Crying in the Rain / WhiteSnake
    7:33 Bad Boys / Whitesnake
    7:59 Still Of The Night / WhiteSnake
    8:20 Give me All Your Love / WhiteSnake
    8:43 Children Of The Night / WhiteSnake
    8:58 Here I Go Again / WhiteSnake
    9:27 Your Gonna Break My Heart Again / WhiteSnake
    9:45 Uncle Ben Speaks
    10:06 Riot / Blue Murder
    10:22 Blue Murder / Blue Murder
    10:38 Black Hearted Woman / Blue Murder
    10:57 Uncle Ben Speaks
    11:25 We All Fall Down / Nothin’ But Trouble
    11:44 Cry For Love / Nothin’ But Trouble
    12:01 Love Child / Nothin’ But Trouble
    12:24 Uncle Ben Speaks
    12:35 Soul Stealer / Out Of My Tree
    12:52 Black Days / Out Of My Tree
    13:07 The Way You KISS Me / 20th Century
    13:27 Uncle Ben Speaks
    Link to playlist with all songs ua-cam.com/play/PLBXA-0q87bHcKk6XJ1I4gPkqyEePW_RRW.html

    • @lueyteledeluxe7457
      @lueyteledeluxe7457 Рік тому

      "Slide it in/slide it in
      →Give me more time/slide it in"
      ☝️😧
      😌
      Hmmmm...
      So, what......he's Tryna dikk her down, but he can't get it up...??! 🙆‍♂️
      Is that what it is ..?? 😆
      Because I defy anyone to try and explain that that means anything other than EXACTLY THAT!! 🙆‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
      It's sooo cringe-tastic, I'm sure it busted the cringe-O-metre !

  • @ginoames
    @ginoames 2 роки тому +51

    John Sykes is so awesome! Agree that he is seriously underrated.

    • @i5150v1
      @i5150v1 2 роки тому +3

      Right there with Frank Marino, Dave Meniketti & Nuno Bettencourt

    • @haggbom72
      @haggbom72 Рік тому

      @@i5150v1 Nuno is hardly underrated, meniketti is however

  • @wernervanderwalt8541
    @wernervanderwalt8541 2 роки тому +34

    Valley of the Kings is an epic song! John is one of my big influences. I got into his playing while listening to Blue Murder. I only found out afterwards that he was responsible for the epic sound of Whitesnake's "1987".

    • @MrClassicmetal
      @MrClassicmetal 2 роки тому +3

      And he can sing _Still of the Night_ live!

    • @aliseddon3273
      @aliseddon3273 Рік тому +2

      Asked him for a autograph on Blackpool Pleasure Beach told me to f##k o#f 😂

  • @rasmadrak
    @rasmadrak 2 роки тому +14

    Criminally underrated guitarist!

  • @theaterdreamer
    @theaterdreamer 2 роки тому +8

    I have turned so many of my friends on to Blue Murder. Nobody should be able to shred like that, and have that voice.
    John is a metal god.

  • @jbbluesguitar
    @jbbluesguitar 2 роки тому +53

    John is also an incredible singer. His live rendition of Still of the Night with Blue Murder is epic. His playing looks so effortless. It took two guitarists to try to replace him in Whitesnake and I don't think they succeeded. Great riffage Ben.

    • @suprchickn7745
      @suprchickn7745 Рік тому

      I love Vai but replacing Sykes' flavor in that band is impossible for even him.

  • @fredericadda
    @fredericadda 2 роки тому +28

    I love John Sykes! Bad Boys is my favorite song of the 1987 album.

    • @2760ade
      @2760ade Рік тому

      Yeah, deffo!

    • @ChewieEst
      @ChewieEst Рік тому

      IMO Bad Boys is a better riff than SOTN.

  • @lasamoostang
    @lasamoostang 2 роки тому +21

    Man you have no idea how much joy it brings me to see someone praising Sykes!!! Besides Eddie Trunk, nobody
    truly gives him the recognition he deserves so this video is a godsend for me! Cheers Ben!!!

    • @robplante8631
      @robplante8631 2 роки тому

      100% agree...the guy is filthy good and generally overlooked considering his body of work is so well known.

    • @ericmartin9441
      @ericmartin9441 Рік тому

      A-men to that bro!!!

  • @Jasx1x
    @Jasx1x 2 роки тому +15

    Ben, just like Yngvie Malmsteem, Dave Mustain, Zakk Wyde and the legend himself, Eddie Van Halen, John Sykes defined my High School and College music play list. I love his licks and rhythms. These men defined a generation of music for all of GenX'rs. And made music that we still enjoy and made us pick up the guitar and wanted to play them. Thank you for showcasing his great work.

    • @2760ade
      @2760ade Рік тому

      Who the fuck are Dave Mustain and Zakk Wyde? Learn to spell please before making any meaningful comment!

  • @shawntalarico6384
    @shawntalarico6384 2 роки тому +6

    Was my favorite guitarist growing up! Valley of the Kings! Everyone go listen to that song

  • @paulmiller1803
    @paulmiller1803 2 роки тому +27

    “Nothin’ But Trouble” is among the greatest rock albums ever recorded in my opinion. John Sykes could easily have been a name on the tip of every 80’s rock fan’s tongue. Timing and circumstance were not in his favor. But he had the guitar chops to rival anyone, a voice to rival anyone, and the 80’s rocker good looks to have been on every teenage girls bedroom wall. He could have been as huge as Bon Jovi, but he just wasn’t.

  • @zabelius1
    @zabelius1 2 роки тому +15

    I am aware of John since Tygers of Pan Tang. He is jawdropping awesome. Later on I even met him while I was recording. He was very nice. So let's face it: He plays killer, sings killer, looks great, is nice....damn, such kinda guys can make one sick. Just kidding. Great video Uncle Ben.

  • @sixtring73
    @sixtring73 2 роки тому +8

    Loved this. John is so underrated. That first Blue Murder album is absolute gold!

  • @DarthV506
    @DarthV506 2 роки тому +73

    The first Blue Murder album was amazing, never knew there was a second. Guess I know what I'll be streaming this afternoon.

    • @Lance37a
      @Lance37a 2 роки тому +4

      It's not as good as the first one but it isn't bad.

    • @shawntalarico6384
      @shawntalarico6384 2 роки тому +1

      It's different from the first one. The production isn't as full and monstrous sounding. But the songs are great. The playing and singing is great too

    • @nahnotsomuch2292
      @nahnotsomuch2292 2 роки тому +4

      I'd kind of disagree that 'it's not as good', but it's definitely far more varied stylistically from song to song. Most of his solo albums are the same way. The self titled disc was mostly a straight up hard rock album. 'Nothin' But Trouble' was also mostly a victim of timing. By the time that record was released (1993) grunge had decimated the 80's rock scene, so it unfortunately never got the airplay and attention it was worthy of.

    • @nahnotsomuch2292
      @nahnotsomuch2292 2 роки тому

      John also put out a new tune last year. Apparently he's got an entire album in the can (according to Eddie Trunk), but he has seemingly gone off grid again since. So, who knows if the thing will ever see the light of day. But, here's the new song from last year:
      ua-cam.com/video/32-nrcjswV4/v-deo.html

    • @joerobinson2538
      @joerobinson2538 2 роки тому +1

      I actually prefer the second album (Nothing But Trouble) over the debut album. To me it has more of the Whitesnake 87 album feel. Coverdale was so dumb to fire him-he was the sound of 80’s era Whitesnake.

  • @Locknar77
    @Locknar77 2 роки тому +15

    In addition to being a triple threat, having had the chance to hang with him before and after multiple Thin Lizzy shows, he's not only a super nice dude, but as you'd expect. his hair smells terrific! Thanks for shining a spotlight on this underrated icon. Perhaps this could be a series? If so, I'd like to nominate the late great Criss Oliva for consideration.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 роки тому +2

      Love that idea!!!

    • @hazardeur
      @hazardeur 2 роки тому +3

      Criss Oliva deserves this so much. Still one of the greatest ever to pick up a 6 string. He had that technical crazyness but combined it with his organic/swinging playing style and his crazy tapping melodies. so much intensity. listen to any of his solos on edge of thorns, streets, gutter ballet, hall of the.....well, basically ANY one of his solos. unparalleled

    • @kili1985
      @kili1985 2 роки тому +1

      Yeah Ben, you have do something about Criss Oliva!

  • @47279J
    @47279J 2 роки тому +7

    Sykes is one of the greatest shredders of all time. I still remember when I heard Cold Sweat's live version when I was a kid and it blew my mind. It still does. On top of the shredding, the guy looks great, has a great singin voice and can write great songs. And he can play piano.

  • @456or7strings
    @456or7strings 2 роки тому +11

    I hit “Like” before I hit play!

    • @2760ade
      @2760ade Рік тому

      Same here, anything with 'John Sykes' in the title gets my like!

  • @SashaGarcia
    @SashaGarcia 2 роки тому +7

    I love his "larger than life" tone, full of gain , high mids, and ambience.

  • @frednava3869
    @frednava3869 2 роки тому +3

    Crying in the rain solo is amazing.

  • @TheMusicalSchizo
    @TheMusicalSchizo 2 роки тому +12

    Always thought Sykes' tone was BUTTER. And his riffs were as good as anyone's. Great tribute, Uncle Ben!

  • @micwalt
    @micwalt 2 роки тому +14

    Sykes is one of my all-time faves. I wore out my cassette copies of Slide it In and Whitesnake ('87) in high school. And the Blue Murder albums were in constant rotation throughout my 20s.

  • @kamikazi777
    @kamikazi777 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks for this. He’s truly in a league of his own. There’s never enough homage paid to this undeniable Monster of Rock. All hail John James Sykes!

  • @timpierceguitar
    @timpierceguitar 2 роки тому +24

    Thanks Ben for all the great execution, you're playing feels great.... These riffs all sound great in your hands... And Sykes is quite the music maker... I need to listen to more of his work

  • @makemoneyrelax
    @makemoneyrelax 2 роки тому +3

    he aint underrated...he is one of the best

  • @atrain670
    @atrain670 2 роки тому +28

    John Sykes has always been an axe god in my eyes. His hair has a separate god-tier…

    • @2760ade
      @2760ade Рік тому +2

      Massive jealousy! Mine has departed☹But I can still play guitar😀

  • @alexb6566
    @alexb6566 2 роки тому +9

    So happy to see you giving Sykes his dues Uncle Ben. One of my all time favourites. Sykes put out a couple of new songs last year on UA-cam. The second one has an insane solo and is just classic John Sykes. His playing on the recent Gary Moore tribute is beautiful also.

  • @gamezharks
    @gamezharks 2 роки тому +11

    John Sykes is such a massively underrated complete package of a guitarist, he can shred, riff, write killer hooks and even sing, such a great ace of all traits. As a sidenote I hadn't heard of Blue Murder before this video and HOOOOLY SHIT!

    • @joemartucci4786
      @joemartucci4786 2 роки тому +3

      Awesome isn’t it. I’ve heard that Sykes was supposed to be the guitarist in the winery dogs before Ritchie Kotzen got the gig. Love Richie but Sykes with Sheehan & Portnoy Holley crap!

    • @leebarlow2125
      @leebarlow2125 2 роки тому

      @@joemartucci4786 Agreed!

  • @deckert618
    @deckert618 2 роки тому +4

    Sykes wrote some of my favorite riffs from the 80s and 90s, and I never realized until now. Thanks, Uncle Ben. My Nether regions are somewhat engorged.

  • @billytremoloband7456
    @billytremoloband7456 2 роки тому +7

    When listening to John Sykes riffs all I hear is someone who loved EVH ….! Which is always a good thing!

  • @Gee-no
    @Gee-no 2 роки тому +5

    John Sykes is a badass. Love his songwriting, singing, guitar playing. The White snake album turned me on to him. I saw him with Blue Murder in Chicago and got to meet him and the band. Real cool guys. I am also puzzled that hardly anyone knows him. Soulful leads and badass riffs.

  • @illxs
    @illxs 2 роки тому +4

    Sykes is amazing, a real guitar hero! Even with the limited time he was in Thin Lizzy he had a great impact on their style and of course in Whitesnake he became iconic!

  • @pcbullets8726
    @pcbullets8726 2 роки тому +3

    John Sykes is a legend, one of the best all around players. Just an amazing talent and criminally underrated. Great video Ben!

  • @HighGainsDrifter
    @HighGainsDrifter Рік тому +4

    Crying in the rain's solo is my favorite of all time. All that emotion!

  • @BRO77TX
    @BRO77TX 2 роки тому +78

    Sykes is underappreciated…
    not underrated!!

    • @bhouse92101
      @bhouse92101 2 роки тому +3

      Agree 100%

    • @angels77100
      @angels77100 2 роки тому +1

      Exactly!

    • @roymenke1909
      @roymenke1909 2 роки тому +3

      That’s exactly right. In no way is he underrated. If he would put out some freaking music, he’d be more well known.

    • @danielgoodwin1571
      @danielgoodwin1571 2 роки тому

      Can't hardly get him to come out of his house. He is president of rock and roll hall of Fame though. Yeah, I think he has agoraphobia

  • @hunter757
    @hunter757 2 роки тому +1

    Commenting before I've even got into the first riff, John is my favourite guitarist of all time, has possibly the greatest tone of all time and something I'm still trying to emulate till this day. Looking forward to more John sykes stuff from you, always good 👌👍

  • @danielabilez3619
    @danielabilez3619 2 роки тому +1

    Since none of us will approach their level in this lifetime. Play with heart. So many greats. Learn from them

  • @brianswelding
    @brianswelding 2 роки тому +9

    Listen to the UK Slide it in album... then listen to the U.S. version. HUGE difference with JS. I'm 50, when that album came out we were all like, "Who is this guitar player!?" Been a fan ever since. Great to see he is still appreciated by newer generations. Yes he is grossly underrated not just for his playing and vocals but the writing. Any fellow musicians out there know how difficult it is to write a really good song, let alone a whole bunch of 'em. Thanks for the video!

    • @jfo3000
      @jfo3000 2 роки тому

      Exactly. The writing of great songs. Those songs are the vehicles that give a shredder his magic carpet to fly on and be heard be the public.

    • @haggbom72
      @haggbom72 Рік тому +3

      its remixed, with sykes added but he plays the same riffs so should not be given credit for those

  • @metaldownm
    @metaldownm 2 роки тому +4

    So beautiful Uncle Ben. John Sykes is a genius, singing and playing those complex riffs at the same time. Like Mustaine.

  • @johnmcmahonBXLA
    @johnmcmahonBXLA 2 роки тому +1

    “Feel your love tonight”… the riff that keeps on giving

  • @konstantinosxanthios2124
    @konstantinosxanthios2124 2 роки тому +3

    This video was awesome! Sykes is incredibly underrated. John Norum would be a great player for one of these videos, another underappreciated player.

  • @RyanNutick
    @RyanNutick 2 роки тому +3

    Blue Murder - We All Fall Down!!! Have loved that song FOREVER! Didn't realize just how much guitar from my teens was John Sykes!

  • @brettdiaz
    @brettdiaz 2 роки тому +3

    This takes me back to 1987. Thanks Mr. Eller.

  • @wmot206
    @wmot206 2 роки тому +5

    Love his playing on the "Still Got the Blues" song/tribute!

  • @dougkenyon381
    @dougkenyon381 2 роки тому +23

    My top three: John Sykes, George Lynch and Eddie of course -- since the 80s. I've always wished Blue Murder would get back together.

    • @chrispetersen4863
      @chrispetersen4863 2 роки тому +3

      Add Vito Bratta from White Lion and Michael Schenker and you have my top 5 right there! (and somewhere in there is Warren DiMartini as well... So yeah, 6 in my top 5, hehe

    • @bucknaked311
      @bucknaked311 2 роки тому

      John is great but top 3 anything. Nope

    • @rickw5024
      @rickw5024 2 роки тому

      @@chrispetersen4863 Drom Schenker and add Jake E Lee. that's my tops

    • @chrispetersen4863
      @chrispetersen4863 2 роки тому

      @@rickw5024 * facepalm * How could I have forgotten Jake!! Just add Jake to the list! Keep Schenker as well!

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 5 місяців тому

      Scott Gorham & Theodore Nugent are totally cool.

  • @andrewbettis4247
    @andrewbettis4247 2 роки тому +4

    Well thanks for that trip down memory lane that 87 white snake album and the blue murder album as well were pivotal in my development as a young guitar player... honestly I probably spent more hours in front of a mirror playing air guitar to those records than anything else lol John Sykes vocals on the blue murder album deserve honorable mention as well

  • @ArtChannelAKA
    @ArtChannelAKA 2 роки тому +3

    Rediscovered Sykes during lockdown after seeing that incredible Tommy Aldridge footage at the drum clinic playing Crying in the Rain. After that it was the '87 album and then its true sequel, the Blue Murder debut, that i listened to for the rest of 2020 and into 2021.

  • @KCCheez
    @KCCheez 2 роки тому +1

    On top of all that riffage is the best vibrato I’ve ever heard. Broad, even, and so smooth!

  • @theaterdreamer
    @theaterdreamer 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you, Ben. John is a freaking god, and turning more people on to his greatness is wonderful thing.

  • @meteor09
    @meteor09 2 роки тому +3

    John Sykes is awesome. Thunder and Lightning is so kickass and way underratted. Riff Retrospective is great!

  • @patrickbarnes9343
    @patrickbarnes9343 2 роки тому +5

    Fabulous video !! Sykes is a beast

  • @jamesmccormick875
    @jamesmccormick875 Рік тому +1

    John is one of my idols. My introduction to him was the White Snake album. I was 11 and just started to play guitar. The first song I learned when I started lessons was In the Sill of the Night. John, Randy Rhoads, Slash, Zakk and SRV are my biggest influences.

  • @kinkinmyslinky967
    @kinkinmyslinky967 2 роки тому +5

    If there’s ever an underrated hall of fame, John would be the undisputed king.

  • @dkpitt3912
    @dkpitt3912 2 роки тому +50

    I love John Sykes! That blue murder album is a masterpiece for that time. His playing is ridiculously good. He certainly is underrated. Let me correct that, he’s not underrated he’s just under acknowledged. Which brings me to my next point uncle Ben. Why are you vehemently against spotlighting Schenker? He’s influenced most of your 80s heroes and he’s an unbelievable talent, and really one of the most signature stylists ever. It makes absolutely no sense to me.

  • @thehoppo
    @thehoppo 2 роки тому +125

    This is not the Greatest Les Paul in the world, This is just a Tribute

  • @ricopaxton
    @ricopaxton 2 роки тому +4

    Yes, it slowly starts, that people recognize the great John Sykes, thx for making that compilation, Ben!
    His albums "Atomic Cowboy" and "20th Century" run in heavy rotation a while now on my fav list - I didn't know the guy myself until I watched an episode of the channel "Late Night Sessions", which I can highly recommend, Dave Brewster is a great guitarist and teacher himself!

  • @madubatuwangala1646
    @madubatuwangala1646 2 роки тому

    Ben this is really freaking awesome!
    Thank you for doing this!

  • @crazysnarfy861
    @crazysnarfy861 2 роки тому +3

    The guitar solo for "Crying in the Rain" is easily in my top 10 for greatest guitar solos of all time!

  • @bhouse92101
    @bhouse92101 2 роки тому +3

    I like that you mentioned him as a "triple threat" because his vocals were just as amazing as his riffs and leads.
    When Nothin' but Trouble came out and I heard "Save My Love", I was amazed at his vocal range. That album was released around the time that Boyz II Men were VERY popular and I told my friend that if he asked those guys to record a version of "Save My Love", it would have been a #1 hit at the time! NO DOUBT!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 роки тому

      Dude is just too talented

  • @russgoos4628
    @russgoos4628 2 роки тому

    Awesome! Great playing, phenomenal tone in this video!

  • @michaelwade379
    @michaelwade379 2 роки тому +1

    Great tones Ben, love the insight into one the greats, countless amazing riffs!

  • @jeffyoung8726
    @jeffyoung8726 2 роки тому +4

    This was a great video dude! FINALLY, somebody does justice to the man's music!
    Really appreciate that you touched on so much of the songs, and as far as I am concerned
    there are no bad ones! Been a Sykes fan since "Thin Lizzy" and still am to this day...

  • @chrisman3965
    @chrisman3965 2 роки тому +4

    Sykes is killer! More videos like this please 👍

  • @joopvanzeir3330
    @joopvanzeir3330 2 роки тому

    Thanks for the journey through all awesome riff material uncle Ben!

  • @mesaeddie
    @mesaeddie 3 місяці тому +1

    I met John and Scot at the Portland Airport the day after show 20 some years ago. Both very approachable John stuck his hand out to shake as soon as I told them I had been to the great show the night before. Damn I wish I could have met Phil .

  • @394pjo
    @394pjo 2 роки тому +29

    No one ever talks about John's hair? His flaxion mane set new standards of coiffure and bouffant amongst guitar players the world over. Those 4 ply feathered layers with highlighted blonde streaks were leagues ahead of his contemporaries like the dutch farm boy Adrian Vandenberg, who's gouda inflected wisps of dolly pubes were completely outclassed.

    • @perpetualbystander4516
      @perpetualbystander4516 2 роки тому +1

      Dived deep into a lexicon it seems...

    • @glennwhitlock1272
      @glennwhitlock1272 2 роки тому +1

      Agree. But that's history now. Only Coverdale has managed to maintain the mane.

    • @trillrifaxegrindor4411
      @trillrifaxegrindor4411 2 роки тому

      fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkking awesome....my hair still looks like this,only loaded with grey

    • @DevinRyanVitek
      @DevinRyanVitek 2 роки тому

      This fucking comment is amazing

    • @alexb6566
      @alexb6566 2 роки тому

      Comment of the day!

  • @elitecombatfitnesscentral6170
    @elitecombatfitnesscentral6170 2 роки тому +3

    In my book.
    One of the Best songwriter/guitarists.
    Smart business man as well.

  • @franckpanzer
    @franckpanzer 2 роки тому +1

    Sick playing of all these amazing riffs. Great job, cheers from Brazil!

  • @MikeSmith-pz5vl
    @MikeSmith-pz5vl 2 роки тому +1

    I have wondered for many years who's style I played more like and this blew my mind, this is my style. But I never heard it quite as clear until now. I mean I know sykes is an amazing guitarist and have always admired him, but I am just realizing that he was a bigger influence on me than I knew. Thank you for this video.

  • @waynefaircloth3423
    @waynefaircloth3423 2 роки тому +15

    I gotta tell ya Ben. Whenever I have watched anything about John, no one ever talks about Tygers of Pan Tang or even try an touch on the BLISTERING Thin Lizzy CD, Thunder and Lightning. My hidden fav off that CD for a frenzied lead is on the song Someday She's Going to Hit Back. That right there is shredding for all John is worth. Also, the lead John play's in the song he recorded with Phil Lynott called Please Don't Leave me. That solo is AMAZING. Current favs from John is the song Cautionary Warning. That riff he is singing across is bad ass. If you get and chance, and you can somehow find a copy of it, try and find the band called The Three Musketeer's. The only things I have found are live concerts. It's Phil Lynott on Bass, Brian Downey on Drums and John on Guitar. THAT........is filled with shredtastic guitar. Thanks for including Tygers and Thin Lizzy in this Retrospective :-)

    • @davidjames4442
      @davidjames4442 2 роки тому +4

      Thunder and Lightning is just beyond incredible. This was Phil’s requiem….

    • @marcomcbreed8153
      @marcomcbreed8153 2 роки тому

      ❤️

  • @davidjames4442
    @davidjames4442 2 роки тому +17

    To me, the Thunder and Lightning album is the pre-eminent opus for Sykes. His solos on the title track, Someday She’s Going To Hit Back, and the trade offs he does with Gotham on This is The One are beyond incredible. This album does not get the credit it deserves because it’s one of the heaviest albums of the 80’s, full stop.

    • @briandennehy6380
      @briandennehy6380 2 роки тому +2

      Facts

    • @petermontgomery8707
      @petermontgomery8707 Рік тому +3

      @@briandennehy6380 for me you’ve got to get hold of his performance at reading rock festival recorded and broadcast by the bbc at the time.The sun goes down is on another level to the studio version

    • @petermontgomery8707
      @petermontgomery8707 Рік тому

      @@briandennehy6380 in fact
      ua-cam.com/play/PLMUnB4vc6zhXzUZyrJehEYrpp2R20S7mj.html

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 5 місяців тому

      Scott Gorham & John Sykes with Phil Lynott in Thin Lizzy in early 80's was terrific.

  • @KaiserSoze-vx6vo
    @KaiserSoze-vx6vo 2 роки тому +1

    I was in high school and a friend was grooving on his walkman. I asked what was he listening to, and he was nice enough to let me hear 'Slow and Easy' for the first time. I was blown away, and bought the album that weekend. John Sykes guitar sound playing made the self titled album be the EPIC audio experience it was. It is still one of my faves and I bought the Red, White Blue remastered greatest hits as well. Great job exploring one most under-rated guitar heroes.

  • @sn95_mustang_garage
    @sn95_mustang_garage 2 роки тому +7

    The reason why I took up guitar and own a Les Paul.....John Sykes. My favorite guitarist. I was 16 when the 1987 Whitesnake album hit. I went to see Whitesnake on tour finally in 1990 and it was Steve Vai. I know...I know...people like him more but I'm just a Sykes fanboy.

    • @Bona19646
      @Bona19646 2 роки тому +1

      Vai’s tone has always been too thin, in any band he has been in.

    • @satchrules101
      @satchrules101 Рік тому

      Not when vai was using Bogner heads .

  • @thomasbianchino3116
    @thomasbianchino3116 2 роки тому +12

    The Slide It In album was already recorded when John joined (the UK version). His contribution is significant with the heavy rhythm overdubs and smoldering Sykes solos, although some original solos were left.
    Also, not sure how familiar you are with pre-Sykes Whitesnake, but they re-recorded a number of older tunes with Mr Sykes to “Sykes them up” as it were: Crying In the Rain, Fool For Your Loving, and of course Here I Go Again.

    • @94xjrgodown2
      @94xjrgodown2 2 роки тому

      Spot On Thomas!!

    • @mikep9984
      @mikep9984 2 роки тому +1

      Fool for your loving was on slide it in. Steve Vai

    • @Mindfreak5150
      @Mindfreak5150 2 роки тому +1

      @@mikep9984 No, the original and best, imo, version of Fool For Your Loving was with Marsden & Moody (who both co-wrote it) on Ready an' Willing. The Vai version was on Slip of the Tongue, while Sykes only ever played it live and didn't do any studio overdubs or re-recording of the track.

    • @johnstahl6726
      @johnstahl6726 2 роки тому +1

      Love Sykes but mel galley did a better job

  • @murderbymedia
    @murderbymedia 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much man. I have always wanted to learn about this guitar legend. And the very second you put up that in the still of the night video I will have it on repeat as I do the section at eight minutes in this video. 🤘🏻✨

  • @garrettredd2541
    @garrettredd2541 2 роки тому

    This was one incredible rock music history / riff lesson video - thanks, love that tone

  • @JamesMinchew
    @JamesMinchew 2 роки тому +4

    My favourite Thin Lizzy song is Cold Sweat. It's not "Classic Lizzy" but it's nasty and angry and will cut you with a broken pint glass for looking at it funny. Top work, Uncle Ben.

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 5 місяців тому

      Down on your luck (Hollywood) & Thunder n Lightning tracks. Renegade album too.

  • @theguitargeezer878
    @theguitargeezer878 2 роки тому +6

    I knew John was a killer guitar player as well as a great singer first time I heard him in his band Blue Murder, Song Valley Of The Kings way back in the day of HeadBangers Ball

  • @dickey335
    @dickey335 2 роки тому

    Hell yeah!!!! John is one of my heroes and biggest influences. Thank you Ben.

  • @johnfoster4244
    @johnfoster4244 2 роки тому

    Great presentation. Sykes is such a musical force. Glad you shined the spotlight on John.

  • @EJH-jn6mo
    @EJH-jn6mo 2 роки тому +3

    1987 is one the best rock albums of all time! Not an average song on that album.

  • @HurtboxTV
    @HurtboxTV 2 роки тому +3

    John Sykes, the man who basically redefined how I looked at writing riffs. So many people just don't understand how good of a songwriter he is.
    Also shoutouts to the anime Black heaven for using Cautionary Warning as their opening song lol

  • @nedaCFilms
    @nedaCFilms 2 роки тому +1

    One of the most under appreciated rock guitarist. He had his own sound. Only a handful of legends can achieve that.

  • @stilts121
    @stilts121 2 роки тому

    I love how much fun and pure joy your face is showing as you play these riffs.

  • @ronr7905
    @ronr7905 2 роки тому +3

    Absolutely. I am a Les Paul guy -- which means I will put up with a lot of crap because the reward is that sound. And being that guy, I always liked Sykes as the LP is a guitar that really defines his sound and look. Great riffs, solid lead player. Good singer too. Thanks for this one.

  • @prashantsarkar821
    @prashantsarkar821 2 роки тому +4

    I first heard of him from his song "Cautionary Warning" that was in the anime "Black Heaven". That riff is still one of my all time favorites.

  • @Widdy5150
    @Widdy5150 2 роки тому

    Of all the guys I watch on UA-cam, you have the best tones ever! Love the content Ben 👍🏻

  • @jimmyscott3056
    @jimmyscott3056 Рік тому

    Love that you are featuring John.. he is incredible. Always loved his playing.

  • @greekfreak1980
    @greekfreak1980 2 роки тому +61

    John Sykes is an amazing songwriter/guitar player/ vocalist. Sadly, he´s apparently some sort of perfectionist to a degree that borders on obsessiveness.
    He was supposed to be the vocalist/guitarist for what eventually became The Winery Dogs but that whole thing ended rather unceremoniously. According to Portnoy, he was constantly reworking their songs over and over and over again, to the point that he & Billy Sheehan told him: "Dude, the songs a great. Let us finally record them and get the album out." And then he left the project and they got Richie Kotzen instead.
    He also has delayed his new studio album more times than anybody remembers. It´s like he wants to brake Axl Rose´s record for the delay of "Chinese Democracy" or something. Personally, I´ve given up on ever hearing this new John Sykes album in our lifetime.

    • @nahnotsomuch2292
      @nahnotsomuch2292 2 роки тому +1

      Close as I'm guessing we'll get for a while: ua-cam.com/video/32-nrcjswV4/v-deo.html

    • @axchisler
      @axchisler 2 роки тому +4

      Sounds more like Portnoy than Sykes 🤔

    • @greekfreak1980
      @greekfreak1980 2 роки тому +2

      @@axchisler Sykes is supposed to release a new solo album, "it's coming and it's gonna be great and will be epic and everything.... " It's over a decade since he announced it and the only thing he released is a single, which is basically an old, reworked Blue Murder song from the late 90's.
      Made out of it what you want....

    • @richardblack3385
      @richardblack3385 2 роки тому +1

      I see what portnoy has done with later d.t. tracks Sykes was probably right