John Sykes, the acclaimed British rock guitarist known for his work with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A statement on his official website paid tribute to Sykes, describing him as a “thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.” The message also shared his heartfelt gratitude to his fans, whom he cherished deeply in his final days.

Sykes began his career in 1980 with the heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, recording two albums before joining Thin Lizzy in 1982. His work with the band culminated in the 1983 album Thunder and Lightning and a European tour with Phil Lynott in The Three Musketeers.

In 1984, Sykes joined Whitesnake, contributing to their Slide It In album and later co-writing hits such as “Still of the Night” and “Is This Love” on their self-titled 1987 release, a landmark album in rock history.

After parting ways with Whitesnake, Sykes formed the group Blue Murder and released two albums before creating a touring version of Thin Lizzy, honoring the band’s legacy following Lynott’s death in 1986.

Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale expressed his sorrow, sharing photos from their days together:
“Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing… My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans…”

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also paid tribute, sharing an image of Sykes performing with the simple caption, “RIP.”

Sykes’s family and representatives shared a heartfelt statement:
“It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood sombre, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”

Linda Nolan, a cherished member of the iconic pop group The Nolans, has passed away at the age of 65 after a courageous two-decade battle with cancer. Known for her vibrant energy and remarkable voice, Linda rose to fame in the 1970s alongside her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise, and Anne, creating unforgettable hits like the 1980 disco anthem I’m In The Mood for Dancing.

Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and celebrated remission in 2011. However, her journey took another turn in 2017 when she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which ultimately spread to her brain by 2023. Despite these challenges, Linda faced her illness with grace and strength, inspiring countless fans and supporters.

Coleen Nolan, Linda’s sister and fellow entertainer, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram:
“Linda was a beacon of love, kindness, and strength. Her wit, humor, and laughter were infectious, and her presence could light up any room. Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her.”

Linda’s legacy extends beyond her music, as she was a source of light and positivity for her loved ones and fans alike. Her ability to bring joy through her songs and her enduring spirit in the face of adversity will remain an inspiration.

Rap icon Drake has initiated legal proceedings against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of defamation and harassment over the release of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track, Not Like Us. The track, which sparked widespread debate last year, contains inflammatory allegations against Drake, describing him and his entourage as “certified paedophiles” who should be “registered and placed on neighbourhood watch.”

Drake’s lawyers filed papers in New York, claiming that UMG orchestrated a “campaign to create a viral hit” using false accusations. The suit alleges:

• The song makes baseless claims about Drake’s character, portraying him as a criminal.
• UMG allegedly used the track to tarnish Drake’s reputation and provoke public outrage.
• The legal team argues that the track’s release and marketing campaign caused significant harm to Drake’s personal and professional image.

Universal Music Group has yet to issue a response to the defamation claims.

This lawsuit follows Drake’s withdrawal of a separate case against UMG and Spotify, filed just 24 hours earlier. That earlier suit alleged collusion between the two companies to artificially inflate streams of Not Like Us at the expense of Drake’s own music. In court documents, Drake’s team claimed that Universal had licensed the diss track to Spotify at reduced rates and used bots to boost its popularity.

Universal and Spotify refuted those allegations, with Universal stating, “The suggestion that [the company] would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue.” Spotify added that the platform has “no economic incentive” to favor one artist over another.

Drake withdrew the earlier lawsuit after a meeting with representatives from UMG and Spotify, as noted in court filings. While details of the meeting remain undisclosed, the resolution of that dispute has cleared the path for this new defamation case.

The ongoing legal battles have drawn significant attention within the music industry. While UMG and Spotify deny any wrongdoing, Drake’s defamation case underscores the complex dynamics between artists and record labels, particularly in an era where streaming plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and success.