There are at least two notable musicians with the surname Sykes known for their songwriting and recorded songs: Keith Sykes and John Sykes. Below is an overview of their principal works and selected songs.
Keith Sykes is best known for co-writing “Volcano,” a hit for Jimmy Buffett, in addition to songs recorded by John Prine, The Judds, Jerry Jeff Walker, and others. Some of his solo albums and notable tracks include:
- Advanced Medication for the Blues (features songs such as “I Know An Angel,” “The Whole 9 Yards,” and “One World”)
- Don’t Count Us Out (highlights his Americana and roots-oriented songwriting)
- Country Morning Music (2008)
- Bucksnort Blues (2011, title track and more)
- 20 Most Requested (compilation including “You Got Gold,” “Broken Home,” and “Volcano”)
- Songs From A Little Beach Town (EP featuring “Come As You Are Beach Bar,” “The Best Day,” and “Coast of Marseilles”)
Sykes’ work is featured in the Broadway musical “Escape to Margaritaville” with “Volcano” and “Coast of Marseilles,” and he is credited with John Prine on “No Ordinary Blue” from Prine’s album The Tree of Forgiveness[1][5].
John Sykes was an English guitarist and singer, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder. His discography includes both band and solo material:
- Solo Albums:
- Out of My Tree (1995)
- Loveland (1997)
- 20th Century (1997)
- Nuclear Cowboy (2000)
- Bad Boy Live! (2004)
- With Tygers of Pan Tang:
- Spellbound (1981), Crazy Nights (1981), The Cage (1982, select tracks)
- With Thin Lizzy:
- Thunder and Lightning (1983), Life (1983), One Night Only (2000)
- With Whitesnake:
- Slide It In (1984, US version), Whitesnake (1987)
- With Blue Murder:
- Blue Murder (1989), Nothin’ but Trouble (1993), Screaming Blue Murder (1994)
Key John Sykes songs as a solo artist and band member include “Please Don’t Leave Me,” “Still of the Night” (with Whitesnake), and his extensive guitar work across the bands listed. He also contributed to other artists’ albums and tribute compilations[2][3][4][7][8].
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