Jake E. Lee, the guitar hero who defined Ozzy Osbourne’s Bark at the Moon era, had a moment he’ll never shake at Osbourne’s final Back to the Beginning show earlier this year. While the stage erupted with a supergroup tribute curated by Tom Morello, Lee found himself backstage, cradling Kirk Hammett’s legendary Greeny Les Paul—a guitar so enchanting he “didn’t want to put it down.” In a recent Guitar World interview, Lee joked, “I almost wish I’d never played it. I’ve missed it ever since!”
The Back to the Beginning event, a grand farewell to the late Ozzy Osbourne, was a magnet for rock royalty. Backstage, Lee not only reconnected with Osbourne after nearly four decades but also mingled with icons like Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. When Hammett offered Lee a chance to play Greeny—the storied 1959 Gibson Les Paul once owned by Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green and later Gary Moore—Lee couldn’t resist. “It’s a magical piece of wood,” he gushed. “It’s so resonant; it just sings.” Famous for its mythical middle-position tone, Greeny left Lee spellbound, even if he playfully regretted the longing it sparked.
Health challenges, including arthritis and lingering effects from a 2024 shooting, forced Lee to pivot from his usual gear for the performance. Instead of Greeny, he took the stage with a striking deep purple burst Charvel, a guitar shrouded in intrigue. Lee spilled the details: “In the Ozzy days, I had a white one, a purple burst, and a blue burst. Charvel reissued the white and blue, but I’ve been pushing for the purple burst.” Seizing the moment, he collaborated with Charvel to craft a one-off for the show. “What better promo than to come out with a purple burst and get people asking about it?” he said.
The custom Charvel is a beast of its own. Featuring a Gibson-scale length, jumbo frets up to the 12th, and thinner frets beyond, it’s designed for “more meat on the string and more wood underneath.” With a roasted maple neck and a lightweight “cooked ash” body, the guitar blends vintage vibe with modern playability. Lee called it “beautiful” and expressed hope for a full production run, a sentiment fans on X are already echoing with calls for Charvel to make it happen.
The Back to the Beginning gig wasn’t just a gear showcase—it was a personal milestone. Lee, joined by heavyweights like Lzzy Hale, Nuno Bettencourt, and Mike Bordin, delivered a performance that honored Osbourne’s legacy while mending their decades-long estrangement. “It was overwhelming,” Lee said of the crowd’s response, sparked by Bettencourt leading a chant of his name. But playing Greeny and wielding his custom Charvel added a layer of magic to an already unforgettable night.
As Lee continues to recover and write new music, his passion for guitars—vintage, custom, or mythical—remains undimmed. Whether he’s chasing Greeny’s ghost or sparking buzz with his purple Charvel, Lee’s proving he’s still got plenty of fire.
