The house that Sykes built. His playing on this album has made it possible for the snakes to still be touring, and keeping a huge roster of musicians employed.

@humanactivated1017

Жыл бұрын

You just don’t know whitesnake . The previous album was Whitesnake big breakthrough with love ain’t no stranger , guilty of love and slide it in . This album is the top 40 one the mainstream pop fans know .

@dizzyred1390

Жыл бұрын

Well uhhh that's what he means...it's the one the MAINSTREAM FANS KNOW...

@kevgamble

Жыл бұрын

@@humanactivated1017 That album started the momentum, but on its own terms was only a modest hit, and nothing compared to the success of the '87 album. Slide it In only reached #40 on the US charts (gold certification) and had no charting singles. '87 was 8x platinum in the US alone, had a #1 and #2 hit on the Hot 100 singles chart. That is the album that created their commercial legacy, and Sykes co-writing the whole album was the difference.

@kevgamble

Жыл бұрын

His playing and writing - he co-wrote the album with Coverdale. Listening to the brilliant Blue Murder album, it's clear where that Whitesnake '87 sound came from.

@daveswallow8351

Жыл бұрын

Coverdale was writing great songs long before Sykes joined and his discography from Burn to the present day is testament to his writing talent. 1987 in my opinion was a step away from what I loved in the early years. No doubting Sykes talent on this record but Coverdale wrote great songs before and after.

“John Sykes Guitar Only” Seems like all you need.

In my opinion, no other Guitarist who played for Whitesnake would have been able to write such an iconic Masterpiece!

One of the cleanest, most aggressive guitar tones, ever to put to tape.

@stevekimmel3841

2 ай бұрын

Les Paul.

@jameyd4155

Ай бұрын

Amen! Love the tone & attack

The guitar tone that actually growls at you like a lion.

Whitesnake became Whitesnake because of John Sykes 🎸⚡I call their 1987 album "John Sykes' Whitesnake".

He’s so incredible. He deserves more respect than he gets for sure. His rhythm playing alone is so great.

Sykes made that album what it was. Take a listen to Blue Murder and you'll agree. A master!

@MrIgorek13

8 ай бұрын

Huge Master ❤❤

@notdynomonkey

6 ай бұрын

Blue Murder kicked ass. Saw them in AZ.

@Mark-um5hc

2 ай бұрын

The original lone up. Long before John came into the picture.

I love that you can hear him keeping time by tapping his pick against the guitar. It's those details that make these isolated tracks so fascinating.

@hazor777

Жыл бұрын

Yes - and the reverb of the room , whether it’s a rehearsal space or isolated, not sure , but those amps/amp is cranked!! I love to hear the ambiance and little nuances Isolated tracks are always interesting to listen to

@chriscampbell9191

Жыл бұрын

@@hazor777 And that tiny bit of feedback in the first bit of riffing around 22 seconds in. That kind of stuff really makes these isolated tracks feel like you're in the room listening to him play.

@user-un9go4qe5i

8 ай бұрын

Now I know what I was hearing! Had no idea!

That tone and the solo...wow

@kuojiao

10 ай бұрын

His tone is second to none

@The73mp73

6 ай бұрын

Imagine Smith/Kotzen/Sykes.

Sykes is the most overlooked player of all time. Everybody knows him and yet not enough people talk about him

@TatteredSanity1

2 ай бұрын

And a pretty damn good singer too

@jurgencuypers8350

2 ай бұрын

Because he was lazy. Didnt do anything for the last 30 years. What a shame and what a waste. Perhaps he was tired of the music industry?

What a sound. You can almost feel the heat coming off his amplifier.

One of the best rock guitar tones ever.

The interlude before the cellos in this song is brilliant.

You will never replace the human element

God that intro is the dictionary definition of bad ass rock guitar

John Sykes is in my top 5 greatest guitarists ever, but what really sets him apart imo is that fucking tone. This imo, is the greatest guitar tone ever recorded. It's like thunder. Absolutely monstrous.

@lloydtownsend5306

7 ай бұрын

I agree. I'm especially fond of the clean sound in the middle too. Iconic.

@LeftistUprising

7 ай бұрын

It was sooooo beautifully British. For some reason, it evokes amazing British engineering to me like Jaguar and Aston Martin.

@philomelodia

7 ай бұрын

I understand they doubled the amp and/or the track for this one. They made it sound even more massive. Just an all-around great song. Brings back lots of memories for me. I remember when it hit the radio back in 87 and stopped me in my tracks.

@TatteredSanity1

7 ай бұрын

@@LeftistUprising like Jaguar, Aston Martin and Marshall Amplification

@quix99

7 ай бұрын

Boogies baby!

That killer tone and the sustain! Not only can the man shred, he’s a hell of a singer, as well. 2:45 that clarity is ridiculous. Sounds like some Gallien Krueger 250 ML magic

John Sykes is phenomenal, he is the best guitar player that I have ever recorded ~ Bob Rock

@bluestrat666

8 ай бұрын

What’s crazy about this is Bob Rock recorded Jason Becker on the DLR A Little Ain’t Enough Record. Truly a testament to how great Sykes was. I’d put this track up against any

@doublestrokeroll

7 ай бұрын

Bob Rock was basically the one who got this tone. He was working in the same studio at the time and they asked him to come in and help get the tone because they were having trouble. He did.

@jimmyupson1959

4 ай бұрын

Not to mention that you got John to bring out the best in his vocals when you produced BM.

@huntermediaphotography

3 ай бұрын

Yes Blue Murder was insanely awesome. What a power trio of musicians in that band !

@tdz69

2 ай бұрын

Then bob worked with Kirk Hammett. lol

One of the only players alive that you know its John Sykes playing when you hear him, his passion is heard and felt and it made this one of the greatest guitar songs ever written. This band hired the best guitarists on the planet for 35 years even to this day and they still don't have his mojo.....

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

He’s actually the one and only that you hear and know it’s John Sykes. Literally.

John Sykes: There is no equal when it comes to making a guitar sing

A groundbreaking recording. Simply marvelous. The work of a true master. It’s ballsy, fierce, sexy and most impoetantly, interesting.

The clean guitar is awesome! One of the best middle breaks in any rock song right there!! \m/

The hell extra notes he plays before the main B C B A B A F# E ?!?!?! Never heard those before and my brain can not process them after 30+ years.

@gsxerwhite

8 ай бұрын

I heard them when I was 13 but they were never in any of the transcriptions back then

@davidemmons899

6 ай бұрын

@@gsxerwhiteI heard them when I was in the womb, but I hadn’t transcribed them yet.

@asmilton

6 ай бұрын

YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!🙌🙌🎸

@scotth6466

5 ай бұрын

I know! I was like WHOA! I've listened to and played this myself hundreds of times and NEVER heard that. I don't have the best ears though😆

@willschut4917

3 ай бұрын

B C C# A C B A B A F# E B C B A B A F# E F# etc.

The clean , reverbed and chorused arpeggiated guitars around 3 min. marker are gold.

Chilling vocals from Ray and always haunting riffs from master, Tony Iommi. Metal masterpiece!

Master piece! Loved that song back in the 80's.... And still today.

One of the most aggressive,melodic, creative - and *underrated* guitar players ever....

I was expecting this to be great - it's even better than I expected

The chord progressions at the 4:00 mark are epic. Just brilliant. A lot of people would like for John Sykes to come out of retirement and record and tour again. I say he’s earned his quiet life in the San Fernando Valley for this one epic track alone. The man has left his mark.

@nikoniko893

Жыл бұрын

Yes indeed, I saw Joe Bonamassa play that medley right here on YT.

@jamespowell1175

Жыл бұрын

I say Coverdale should get on his knees, and beg John to work with him again! Whitesnake 1987 wouldn't be the hit album without John.

@StratMatt777

11 ай бұрын

@@jamespowell1175 Coverdale can't sing anymore.

@user-un9go4qe5i

8 ай бұрын

@@jamespowell1175 Sykes has (now) got a much better voice than Coverdale... and it was a close run thing 35 years ago.

@A10011

6 ай бұрын

Agree- always found them to be hugely evocative. Not sure why,.

He is a genius.

Damn!!! I've been a huge John Sykes fan since his Thin Lizzy days. Such an incredible musician!

One of my favorite riffs, really awesome to hear everything he did in the song isolated, what a player.

Dude never got credit for so many masterpieces

@theonlyredspecial

Жыл бұрын

He got a lot of credit from the right people. Joe Public don’t care. Most of them who liked the hits probably don’t even know coverdales name. We are still talking about his guitar playing almost 25 years later and rightly so. I wore this album out when I was in my teens and still play it

@davidbrucemusicvideo

Жыл бұрын

@@theonlyredspecial Still can’t believe Coverdale fired Sykes. Bad bad move, plus it fucked Sykes’ career….

@JesusMcCracken

Жыл бұрын

Yes he got the credits. He Isn’t doing anything for a very long time now but he can’t live on air alone.

@MrIgorek13

8 ай бұрын

​@davidbrucemusicvideo wrong...David fired whole band...

@renzocalcagno536

6 ай бұрын

He did. Many of us knew JS from this absolute masterpiece. The fact that we're still discussing this album and his guitar work notwhistanding.

The guitar playing on this album is soooo good it's a master piece,love how John uses vibrato on chords,sounds absolute killer.been my fav guitarist for years.

That vibrato just after the fast run in the solo. John had great soulfull vibrato. Foolishly it took me years to realize that rhythm and vibrato are of mega importance rather than just fast lead.

Clean guitar is a Strat with chorus and verb. Beautiful sound.

All of these tracks on this album are genius guitar riffs and vocal melodies. When you look back all these years later you thank god this music and this album was created. What would we hard rockers do without this music??? Thank god for it!!!! Great stuff. Classic mid to late 80s!!!!

That chord slide at 1:15 is absolutely filthy

As sick as it gets. Sykes is a monster!

1st saw John with Lizzy live in 1983 & was instantly blown away by his playing & Greatness just like the main man Gary we want Moore!!!! To my ears Whitesnake cud have 100 Guitarists & still would not sound as good as Sykesy!!!

Classic song with an extremely fast & smooth guitar solo.

Sykes Is One Of The Greatest 🎸🎸🎸Of All-Time!

@2216sammy

4 ай бұрын

Oh pleaseeee

@markusaurelius777

22 күн бұрын

@@2216sammy He's not wrong LOL

Ironically, for a BRITISH guitarist, John Sykes was the foundation of the "American" sounding Whitesnake. He truly pioneered that sound and IMHO was the real reason why 1987 was such a success. The power, mystery and atmosphere in this particular song was a big factor in the magic of the album, leading to it's success. A much under-rated track. Just a shame DC treated Sykes (allegedly) so poorly. Sykes did so much to establish the re-invigorated band, and got so little out of it personally.

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

Besides the millions of dollars in royalties, yeah.

@renzocalcagno536

6 ай бұрын

Blues and R&B influenced many British legends, Clapton, Beck, et al. Then came Hendrix. You could say the same about Eddie... he was doing this high speed bullet stule guitar since late 70s.

@svensofficialpage7060

5 ай бұрын

Coverdale was a greedy control freak and Sykes was done with him!

What a massive tone!!🤘

@81giorikas

Жыл бұрын

In the mix only for my taste. It sounds like shit isolated. I thought something was wrong with my speakers. Not the first time it happens in many songs though. In the mix it works.

@hazor777

Жыл бұрын

@@81giorikasHahaha!!! You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about😂😂😂

@81giorikas

Жыл бұрын

@@hazor777 Talking very serious bro. It sounds like shit here.

@deepzepp4176

Жыл бұрын

Yup. superb tone heavy rock tone. The aggression in the sound is incredible.

@Gfy7365

7 ай бұрын

Mesa boogie mark 3

Mesa Boogie Mark 3, split into 2 amps, and recorded with separate mics, creating small chorus effect, then trouble tracked, so that's 4 in total. Dirty fingers pickup sitting in a Les Paul late 70's Custom. Then you add that aggressive playing style and you get that. One of the greatest guitar recordings ...EVER!

@geraldrauch1701

Жыл бұрын

a mesa mark III coliseum i herd...160 watts...and yes, one of the greatest tones ever!!! and i'm a die-hard metal guy...mesa amps rule, pure n simple...have a mark IV and a badlander...cheers all!!!

@AliTaylor777

Жыл бұрын

It was two Mesa Colosseums with the second acting as a slave and connected with a chorus pedal between them, IIRC

@coalfacechris1336

Жыл бұрын

@@AliTaylor777 Might have been a Lexicon PCM60 between them?

@karlkanner3467

11 ай бұрын

i have a MKIII simul-class blue stripe frmo the 80s...that thing will outlive me i think, and it sounds absolutely killer on every type of music@@geraldrauch1701

@georgitchaikov8846

7 ай бұрын

Indeed

The isolated guitar reminds me of when I first heard this song. Didn't know a song could be so good!!!

Beast of a player with the definition of 80s tone

John sykes masterpiece and legacy for WS

My favorite vibrato of any player.

He’s a BAAAAAAD MAN! Loved this time since it came out. Now this isolation of his playing has taken it to an elevated notch. The tone is aggressive and expressive … Damn - love it!

You’re gonna break my heart again would be a godsend

What a powerhouse ❤ 🎸🤘🏼

Damn that guitar sounds just as explosive outside of the mix

John Sykes the axe master

Quel son....ouaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh....1987...inoubliable....

I’ve been researching this as much as possible, so for anybody interested, this is what I’ve come across - Basics first, it’s a Les Paul Custom, and a vintage Strat for the clean parts. The LP originally had a Dirty Fingers pickup in the bridge, but at some point Sykes exchanged it for a more “vintage” PAF style Gibson pickup - it’s not clear if that was before or after this record. Bob Rock was brought in to engineer the guitar sound, because they couldn’t get something they were satisfied with. For the main riffs, he split the signal to two separate Mesa/Boogie Mark III Coliseum heads, and gave one a very slight delay. The parts were then double tracked, split left and right, possibly with some very light chorus, and a lot of (small room) reverb. The reverb may have been an AMS RMX 16, which is what Sykes used in his live rig. So it ends up almost sounding like four guitars - two takes of Sykes playing through two heads at the same time, with effects on top. The clean parts clearly have a lot of chorus, but I’m not sure which unit was used. I also haven’t found any info on what mics were used, but there are likely SM57s in the mix. I’m pretty sure the above information is accurate. It sounds like it. It also probably can be seen as a precursor to the sound of Metallica’s black album, which Rock produced.

@funkadelicchile

Ай бұрын

Any thoughts on the set up for the solo? He must’ve had used a separate guitar with a Floyd tremolo for the dive bombs in the beginning right ? There is 2 tracks and it sounds like they punched in the fast run with Les paul directly afterwards

@vaportrails7943

Ай бұрын

@@funkadelicchile Don’t know. It sounds like some kind of Super-Strat to me.

Amazing tone, amazing album.

Very cool to hear just this killer guitar playing.

The GOAT

LOVE this!!!! Delicious tone with just the perfect nasty little raunch...GOD I miss this!!!! So grateful I was in the 80s...with REAL music and no AI. the FEEL is so wonderful. Blue Murder anyone?

Happy Birthday John Sykes! 7/29/59

Most underrated guitarist on the planet

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

Not underrated by guitarists.

@thezorba1

Жыл бұрын

@@crusheverything4449 At least the ones that know what theyre listening to... I near fell over the first time I heard him play.. astonishing...

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

@@thezorba1 - Yeah, he’s better than most, for sure!

Mesa/Boogie tube amp overdrive on the F-major chord has the major 5th (C) harmonic singing So good, it brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it at the age of 7. This effect apparently caused by playing the open G in the middle of the chord (FCFGXX). I probably listened to this track 1,000 times a month in '87 when this tape first hit. Sykes' tone was simply unbeatable that year.

Masterpiece!

Phenomenal playing , sound and attitude of John Sykes !!! One of the gratis guitar players ever !!!

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

Nobody proofreads, like ever.

@bdubdadj

Жыл бұрын

@@crusheverything4449 I do, every time. lol

Love how you can hear the charvel he used in the bridge section. Clean and chorus and the trem just to act as a vibrato.

think he's using 2 guitars for that solo. The first one that does the whammy bar gymnastics and the second one that has the neck pickup sound. His neck pickup sound is such a big influence on me. His aggression and speed are just unreal.

@BramEngelenMusic

5 ай бұрын

Same for me, it's that neck pickup tone I always go for! The trick really is to turn the tone knob on your Les Paul down to exactly 8, gets you that extra sustain from shaving a hair of top end off - making it slightly more fuzzy, smooth and singing 😉

Gives me chills every time I hear this 😊 I love it

This guy was a monster!

SYKES LE DIO IDENTIDAD A WHITESNAKE SIN DUDAS , Y POR MAS GUITARRISTAS COMO STEVE VAI , DOUG ALDRICH, JOEL HOEKSTRA Y OTROS QUE TOCARON NUNCA PUDIERON REEMPLAZAR AL GRAN JOHN SYKES

Imagine having this sound and melody in your head and trying to make it a reality for others to hear your secret language. The last rist in this masterpiece is very old English and medieval.

that's just gnarly.

Brilliant! Definitely one of the most underrated and under appreciated.

Noriya I am in quiet shock of Lovebites!! Rock solid band from Japan!! The best I just find out since Sykes times!! Amazing ❤❤❤

ギターの息遣いが聴こえてくるようです。 この手の動画はたくさんありますが、とても聴き入って感動しました。

Amazing

It's just everything good about metal! It sounds killer.

HUGE Strat fan. But this song is a prime example of the THUNDER that one (extremely talented guitarist) can only get from a Gibson!! 🤘🏼🎸

Hands down the Phattest Tone from that era.. Thanks very much for posting this.. Its super helpful in learning all the finer nuiances on his parts before a live performance

John Sykes 🤘

Goosebumps

That lick!!! I’d hoped it only sounded so good because it’s buried in the full song mix.

absolutely incredible,...badass Mr.Sykes

I love all the multi-picking in the rhythm and chord progression parts! I was never a Whitesnake fan, mainly because I didn’t like Coverdale.. but this song was always a standout. Just a perfect composition. Sykes’ playing is unreal.

Wow, that actually held my attention the entire time. I actually managed not to reach for my guitar until the very end when I hit replay. What a great player! It’s too bad they had such a falling out. The man’s contribution to this song was massive. I need to get my hands on a pedal that produces that lovely chorus. Absolutely beautiful in the bridge.

1987 is a brilliant album, mainly thanks to John Sykes

John Sykes rules the guitar!!

I also like the end, everytime you think it’s over there is one more great riff

Awesome 🎸 🤘

Simply grateful I got to be in high school when this song and album came out. The first time I heard this was when a student literally brought a ghetto blaster on the school bus and started the tape on the song (yes it was allowed to have stereos on the bus). It was mond blowing, he cranked it so loud . It gave you the courage to go ask that girl out that you had a crush on for 3 years but could never talk to. You could take a chick to 'lookout point' by the lake and make out to this record. I found $300 on the floor at my job and rather than turning it in I took it and bought an electric guitar at the local music store because I wanted to become a rock musician just from this song. 35 years later I still am. Thank you John Sykes, you da man.

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

Way to sell your honesty dirt cheap. Loser.

@Castlevi3w

10 ай бұрын

You bastard that was my money.

speechless ..... ❤❤❤❤❤ please more of that !!!!!!!!!!!

ああぁぁぁぁ最高～！ホワイトスネイク？ギターリスト？の辞典に必ず掲載されるべきサウンド。

Having a hard time picking my jaw up off the floor... DAMN!

My favorite tone

John Sykes and Greg Howe were the biggest influences. It wasn’t until I could play the entire 1987 album in my bedroom when I was 16 did I realize what a monster of the guitar John Sykes was and is ❤️🙌👍 legend!

@crusheverything4449

Жыл бұрын

You must be a monster, too, if you can play that whole album! 🤘🏼

He is a monster player

FINALLY. Someone posted this again. Thank you.

Monster tone.

Class Guitarist he is had the pleasure of meeting him back in 1981 @ the city hall Newcastle @ a Def Leppard gig(High n Dry Tour)Also seen Him Play For The Tygers of Pang Tang @ The City Hall Newcastle too.