Jake E. Lee, the guitar maestro whose fiery riffs defined Ozzy Osbourne’s Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), has shared a heartfelt reflection on his reconciliation with the late Prince of Darkness during Osbourne’s final Back to the Beginning shows earlier this year. In a new interview with Guitarist, Lee revealed that mending their decades-long rift meant more to him than the thunderous ovation he received onstage. “I always wanted to reconcile, tell him there weren’t any hard feelings and end things on a friendly note,” Lee said. “I got to do that.”
Lee’s tenure with Osbourne in the early ’80s was a crucible. Stepping into the void left by Randy Rhoads’ tragic death in a 1982 plane crash, Lee faced immense pressure to carve his own path without mimicking Rhoads or chasing the era’s Eddie Van Halen frenzy. “He changed everything for me,” Lee said of Osbourne. “He put me in the spotlight. Whether that would have happened without his band is anybody’s guess.” Yet, their personal connection was strained. “We weren’t like brothers or best friends,” Lee admitted, pointing to a contentious contract—allegedly pushed by Sharon Osbourne—that stripped him of writing credits and royalties for Bark at the Moon. By the time The Ultimate Sin was recorded, Lee’s fight for fair credit and pay likely led to his 1987 firing.
Despite the messy exit, Lee harbors no bitterness. “I liked Ozzy,” he said warmly. “He had this clownish, funny, sweet side that shone through. Everybody felt it.” That affection fueled Lee’s desire to bury the hatchet, a wish fulfilled when he joined Osbourne for the emotional Back to the Beginning performances, a Black Sabbath-rooted farewell that doubled as a celebration of Osbourne’s solo legacy. Lee’s appearance wasn’t just a crowd-pleaser; it was a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the man who shaped his career, one last time.
Osbourne’s death has left Lee grappling with a profound loss. “I hadn’t seen him in almost 40 years,” he said. “But he might be the single most important person in my life, other than my wife. For most people, he was the highlight of my career.” Osbourne’s larger-than-life presence—surviving decades of self-abuse—made his passing surreal. “I always thought he’d probably outlive me,” Lee confessed. “It’s a big loss.”
Reflecting on his contributions, Lee takes pride in Bark at the Moon, the album and song that proved Osbourne’s solo career could thrive post-Rhoads. “It was such a good tune,” he said, beaming. “I’m proud to have been a part of that.” Yet, for years, Lee felt his work was overshadowed by Rhoads and Zakk Wylde, Osbourne’s other guitar titans. The Back to the Beginning reunion changed that, letting him reclaim his legacy with clarity and peace.
Lee also credited Osbourne with sharpening his craft, recalling a single comment that pushed him to be a better guitarist. Though he didn’t spill the details, the impact was clear: Osbourne’s influence went beyond fame, shaping Lee’s relentless drive to evolve. After leaving Osbourne’s band, Lee forged ahead with Badlands and Red Dragon Cartel, building a career that stood on its own. Still, he carried a quiet wish to reconcile—now fulfilled.
As Lee processes Osbourne’s absence, he’s buoyed by their final chapter. The Back to the Beginning stage was more than a performance; it was closure. “I got to tell him there were no hard feelings,” Lee said. For a guitarist who helped keep Ozzy’s fire burning, that moment was the ultimate riff.
Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel continues with select Las Vegas shows in December 2025. Check local listings for details.
