Blue Murder

Blue Murder was an English hard rock supergroup formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist John Sykes, shortly after his departure from Whitesnake. The original lineup featured Sykes alongside bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, with early involvement from Cozy Powell and vocalist Ray Gillen. Blue Murder's music blended virtuosic musicianship, blues influences, and the late 80s rock bombast, showcasing Sykes' vision of a heavier yet melodic rock sound. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1989 and produced by Bob Rock, included notable tracks like "Jelly Roll" and "Valley of the Kings," achieving moderate chart success but failing to make a major commercial impact due to poor promotion and shifting musical trends.

By the early 1990s, the rise of grunge music marginalized Blue Murder’s hard rock style. After lineup changes and the departure of Franklin and Appice, the band released their second album, *Nothin' But Trouble*, in 1993, which saw little commercial success. Following a live album release in 1994, the band was dropped by their label and eventually disbanded. Despite limited mainstream success, Blue Murder developed a cult following for their musicianship and the quality of their debut album. John Sykes remained the driving force behind the band until his death in 2024.