In a recent interview with Guitarist magazine, legendary guitarist Jake E. Lee revealed the chaotic yet inspired story behind the creation of the iconic guitar solo in Ozzy Osbourne’s 1983 hit, “Bark at the Moon.” Lee, who joined Osbourne’s band in the early ’80s, credited the Prince of Darkness with pushing him to new heights as a guitarist, ultimately leading to the raw, electrifying solo that fans know and love today.
Lee explained that he initially had a different vision for the solo, one that was more melodic and reminiscent of Journey’s Neal Schon. “I had the second half all worked out, and the first half was something completely different in my mind. It was more melodic,” Lee shared. He spent hours in the studio trying to perfect this carefully crafted version, much to the frustration of himself and producer Max Norman. “I was sure it was gonna work. I can still hear it in my head, and I still think it would work!” he admitted.
However, everything changed when Ozzy Osbourne walked into the studio. Upon hearing Lee’s meticulously planned solo, Osbourne bluntly interjected, “What the fuck is that?” Lee recalled defending his work, saying, “It’s not exactly how I want it, but it’s close.” Ozzy, unimpressed, gave a simple yet game-changing directive: “No, no, that’s not working. Just go out there and jam.”
Reluctantly, Lee followed Osbourne’s advice. “I was like, ‘Why not? I’ll try it,’” he said. The result was a spontaneous, high-energy solo that was captured in just the second take of Lee “ripping it out” without overthinking. To his surprise, both Osbourne and Norman were thrilled with the result. “Ozzy said, ‘That’s it!’ Max said, ‘Yeah, I think that’s it.’ I was like, ‘Really? I didn’t put any thought into it. I’m just sitting here ripping it out. How can that be the solo?’” Lee recounted.
Reflecting on his time with Osbourne, Lee acknowledged the profound impact the collaboration had on his craft. Already a respected guitarist in the Los Angeles music scene, Lee said working with Osbourne pushed him to new levels of focus and skill. “It was a do-or-die moment. I do see how I got more focused and better at my craft with Ozzy,” he said. During a recent conversation with Osbourne, Lee expressed his gratitude: “I should have thanked him for that, and during my last talk with Ozzy, I did. He did make me a better guitar player. He made me look at my guitar playing more.”
Years later, Lee has come to appreciate Osbourne’s unorthodox approach to the “Bark at the Moon” solo. “Now, years later, I can look back and go, ‘I see how that works!’ He made me rethink how to play the guitar. I appreciate that,” Lee said.
The story behind the “Bark at the Moon” solo is a testament to Osbourne’s instinctive genius and his ability to draw out raw, unfiltered performances from his collaborators. For Lee, it was a pivotal moment that not only shaped one of heavy metal’s most iconic tracks but also redefined his approach to guitar playing.
Fans can revisit the electrifying result of this spontaneous studio moment in the classic track “Bark at the Moon,” a cornerstone of Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career and a highlight of Jake E. Lee’s remarkable tenure with the band.
