John Sykes leaves Thin Lizzy

I really do not consider Thi Lizzy without Phil to be a legit Thin Lizzy but here is the band's statement:


Thin Lizzy have parted company with guitarist/vocalist John Sykes.

Thin Lizzy guitarist and mainstay, Scott Gorham, has issued the following statement:
“It’s been a very tough time of late for myself and the band, firstly with drummer Tommy Aldridge’s injury and now the subsequent decision for John and the rest of the group to go their separate ways.
“I can only apologise to everyone who has supported us over the years, but we will be back up to full speed soon.”
Scott Gorham intends to announce future plans for Thin Lizzy shortly. All Thin Lizzy shows confirmed for 2009 will be cancelled or postponed until further notice.

I saw the Sykes/Gorham version of Thin Lizzy and quite enjoyed them, but they will never truly be Thin Lizzy without Phil. However, I do think it's great that they are keeping the music alive.

It's unfortunate to hear that the band split. Perhaps Gorham can get Brian Downey and Brian Robertson back, or maybe do something with Gary Moore.

I never bothered to check this version of Lizzy out. Usually I dont mind when bands have line up changes but this one just seemed pointless to me.

AC/DC did it... Alice In Chains did it...Riot did it...I don't know? I say give them a chance.

Yea but those bands moved on and wrote new songs and put out new albums. That I can understand. But to tour and just play the older songs I dont get. Its nice and everything to do a tribute to the band but why not make it into a whole new band using a Thin Lizzy song as the bands name. Then they could build on that. That would make more sense to me. I dunno maybe if I was there age and in this situation I would do the same thing, but I would like the possibility of making new songs be there.

ultmetal wrote:

I saw the Sykes/Gorham version of Thin Lizzy and quite enjoyed them, but they will never truly be Thin Lizzy without Phil. However, I do think it's great that they are keeping the music alive.

It's unfortunate to hear that the band split. Perhaps Gorham can get Brian Downey and Brian Robertson back, or maybe do something with Gary Moore.

Me too. Sykes, the human, blew my illusions out of the water as he turned out to be a total dick. But they were tight and enjoyable. This version of TL has never been anything more than a tribute to Phil, anyways. I am surprised they have let it live this many years, to be honest.

Glenn Rogers wrote:

AC/DC did it... Alice In Chains did it...Riot did it...I don't know? I say give them a chance.

Yes true Glenn, but like Phoenix pointed out all these acts created new music, I have the Thin Lizzy album this line up recorded, which in all honesty is very good but I do wish they had written some new songs.

manny wrote:

I really do not consider Thi Lizzy without Phil to be a legit Thin Lizzy but here is the band's statement:


Thin Lizzy have parted company with guitarist/vocalist John Sykes.

Thin Lizzy guitarist and mainstay, Scott Gorham, has issued the following statement:
“It’s been a very tough time of late for myself and the band, firstly with drummer Tommy Aldridge’s injury and now the subsequent decision for John and the rest of the group to go their separate ways.
“I can only apologise to everyone who has supported us over the years, but we will be back up to full speed soon.”
Scott Gorham intends to announce future plans for Thin Lizzy shortly. All Thin Lizzy shows confirmed for 2009 will be cancelled or postponed until further notice.

Chit that means they are canceling their Moondance Jam appearance then that sucks.

Wargod50

Sykes did a fantastic job of keeping the music alive but it was bound to end sooner or later.

Getting together once for a tribute performance...I can see that. Continuing to play shows as Thin Lizzy when Lynott WAS THIN LIZZY...it's blasphemy.

Sykes is a talented guitarist though

Sykes should get Blue Murder back together.

Troublezone wrote:

Sykes should get Blue Murder back together.

That sounds like a real recipe for financial disaster.

UNCLE SAXON wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

I saw the Sykes/Gorham version of Thin Lizzy and quite enjoyed them, but they will never truly be Thin Lizzy without Phil. However, I do think it's great that they are keeping the music alive.

It's unfortunate to hear that the band split. Perhaps Gorham can get Brian Downey and Brian Robertson back, or maybe do something with Gary Moore.

Me too. Sykes, the human, blew my illusions out of the water as he turned out to be a total dick. But they were tight and enjoyable. This version of TL has never been anything more than a tribute to Phil, anyways. I am surprised they have let it live this many years, to be honest.

I, too, got to see the Sykes/Gorham version of the band. I met Sykes and then bassist Marco Mendoza that night and both were very nice. Scott Gorham and Tommy Aldridge had a cab waiting for them in the parking lot and soon as the show was over they got off stage went straight to the cab and high tailed it out of there. Sykes and Mendoza stayed, signed stuff, took pics and hung out with fans for quite awhile.However, I'm glad they have kept Phil's music alive and would go see them again.

nevermore wrote:

UNCLE SAXON wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

I saw the Sykes/Gorham version of Thin Lizzy and quite enjoyed them, but they will never truly be Thin Lizzy without Phil. However, I do think it's great that they are keeping the music alive.

It's unfortunate to hear that the band split. Perhaps Gorham can get Brian Downey and Brian Robertson back, or maybe do something with Gary Moore.

Me too. Sykes, the human, blew my illusions out of the water as he turned out to be a total dick. But they were tight and enjoyable. This version of TL has never been anything more than a tribute to Phil, anyways. I am surprised they have let it live this many years, to be honest.

I, too, got to see the Sykes/Gorham version of the band. I met Sykes and then bassist Marco Mendoza that night and both were very nice. Scott Gorham and Tommy Aldridge had a cab waiting for them in the parking lot and soon as the show was over they got off stage went straight to the cab and high tailed it out of there. Sykes and Mendoza stayed, signed stuff, took pics and hung out with fans for quite awhile.However, I'm glad they have kept Phil's music alive and would go see them again.

Wish I would have see THAT show. Just the opposite here. Sykes was on stage one sec [bitching about EVERYTHING - the lights, the sound....saying that the Surf was the worst place he had ever played in his whole life] - in the bus 6 seconds later. gorham stayed outside in 5 degrees and snow until every single person left. Sykes was my fav guitarist since Slide it in. That night a guy named Eric Sardinas opened for TL and took his place [ask anyone whom has seen my music room! haha].

But, yeah, dude is a mega-talent for sure.

It sucks when some of the best musicians turn out to be pricks. Makes you want to think twice about meeting them in person.