Jake E. Lee Opens Up About The Ultimate Sin in Rare Interview
Las Vegas, NV – September 2, 2025 – Legendary guitarist Jake E. Lee, renowned for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, recently sat down for a candid interview with BraveWords, shedding light on his contributions to Osbourne’s 1986 album The Ultimate Sin. The multi-part discussion with “Metal” Tim Henderson offered fans a rare glimpse into Lee’s thoughts on the album, its production, and his time working with the Prince of Darkness.
In the interview, Lee expressed mixed feelings about The Ultimate Sin, Osbourne’s fourth studio album and the second to feature Lee’s fiery guitar work. Unlike his experience with 1983’s Bark at the Moon, where Lee was denied songwriting credits despite significant contributions, The Ultimate Sin saw him properly credited alongside Osbourne and bassist Bob Daisley for most tracks. However, Lee noted that the album’s polished, pop-leaning production, helmed by Ron Nevison, didn’t fully capture the heaviness of the material. “I do agree with [Ozzy] that maybe The Ultimate Sin should be remixed because it was a bit of a poppy mix at the time,” Lee said. “It’s a heavy record, so I think it should be remixed. Let’s have an alternate mix of that. I would hope he’d invite me to it.”
Lee recounted the challenges of the recording process, which took place after Osbourne’s stint in rehab in 1985. Having written a substantial amount of material for the album, Lee insisted on a contract guaranteeing his writing and publishing rights before recording began—a lesson learned from the Bark at the Moon debacle. “I refused to contribute anything until I had a contract in front of me,” Lee stated, reflecting on the tense atmosphere caused by past disputes with Osbourne’s management. Despite these challenges, Lee remains proud of certain tracks, particularly the dynamic “Killer of Giants,” which he described as “constantly shifting and moving to another place” in a 2024 Ultimate Guitar interview.
The guitarist also touched on the album’s legacy, acknowledging its commercial success—it achieved Platinum status in May 1986 and Double Platinum in 1994—but noted its polarizing reception. Osbourne himself has called The Ultimate Sin his least favorite solo album, citing Nevison’s production for making the songs sound “weird” and overly uniform. Lee echoed this sentiment to an extent, criticizing Nevison’s rigid approach, which limited experimentation with different sounds. “He didn’t allow me to try any different sounds,” Lee remarked in a 1989 interview, a point he reiterated in the BraveWords discussion.
The interview also addressed Lee’s abrupt dismissal from Osbourne’s band in 1987, shortly after the Ultimate Sin tour. Fired via telegram by Sharon Osbourne, Lee speculated that bassist Phil Soussan’s push to take over songwriting duties played a role. “Phil was trying to convince Ozzy to let him be the primary songwriter,” Lee said, adding that Soussan’s influence was “partly instrumental in getting me fired.” Despite the bitter exit, Lee expressed no lingering animosity, focusing instead on his pride in the music created during his tenure.
Fans were thrilled to hear Lee discuss his potential involvement in a remix of The Ultimate Sin, with many taking to social media to express hope for a heavier, modernized version of the album. The interview also sparked renewed interest in Lee’s contributions to Osbourne’s legacy, with some fans arguing that his work on The Ultimate Sin and Bark at the Moon deserves greater recognition. One Reddit user commented, “Jake’s guitar work on The Ultimate Sin is killer. It’s a shame the Osbourne camp seems to downplay it.”
Lee, now 68, has faced health challenges in recent years, including a misdiagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, later clarified as a lack of cartilage in his right hand. Despite these setbacks, he remains active with his band Red Dragon Cartel and is set to perform “The Ultimate Sin” at Osbourne’s farewell show, a decision that has excited fans. “I can’t wait to see Jake play,” one fan posted on Reddit. “He was my inspiration to pick up a guitar.”
The full BraveWords interview series promises further insights into Lee’s career, including his time with Badlands and Red Dragon Cartel, as well as rumors of a potential reunion with Osbourne. For now, Lee’s reflections on The Ultimate Sin serve as a reminder of his enduring impact on heavy metal and his complex history with one of rock’s most iconic figures.
