Jake E. Lee, the legendary guitarist known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, recently shared insights into the creative constraints he faced during his final years with the Prince of Darkness and how forming Badlands allowed him to break free artistically. In an interview with Guitar World, Lee reflected on his time with Osbourne and the liberating experience of creating the 1989 self-titled debut album with Badlands.
After the tragic passing of Randy Rhoads, Lee stepped in as Osbourne’s first steady lead guitarist, leaving an indelible mark on heavy metal with his work on Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986). His bold, innovative guitar work honored Rhoads’ legacy while injecting a fresh energy into Osbourne’s sound. However, toward the end of his tenure with Osbourne, Lee grew frustrated with the limitations imposed on his creativity. “Ozzy would say, ‘No. This isn’t Frank Zappa, this is Ozzy Osbourne. Go back and write me something else,’” Lee recalled, describing how his ideas were often rejected for not fitting Osbourne’s signature style.
Seeking an outlet for his unrestrained musical vision, Lee formed Badlands with vocalist Ray Gillen, drummer Eric Singer, and bassist Greg Chaisson. The band’s 1989 debut album became a platform for Lee to explore his growing passion for blues-rock, a direction he felt was stifled during his time with Osbourne. “With Badlands, I could do whatever I wanted,” Lee told Guitar World. “Ray Gillen and I were both really into the blues at that point, so we just did whatever we wanted, and it ended up being more of a blues-rock band.”
Badlands offered Lee the creative freedom he craved, allowing him to push his guitar playing to new heights without boundaries. Reflecting on this period, Lee expressed a sense of confidence and pride in the band, stating, “I was pretty confident in my playing and the band. I thought, ‘This is the best band in the world, we’ll open for anybody. I don’t care who you are, we’ll open for you, and we might make you sorry.’” Though Lee believes no guitarist ever reaches complete contentment, he described his time with Badlands as coming “just shy” of that elusive satisfaction.
The stark contrast between the artistic restrictions of his final days with Osbourne and the freedom he found in Badlands underscores a pivotal chapter in Lee’s career. Badlands’ self-titled debut remains a cult classic, celebrated for its raw energy and Lee’s virtuosic playing, cementing his legacy as one of rock’s most dynamic guitarists.
