In a serendipitous collision of heavy metal history and razor-sharp comedy, legendary guitarist Jake E. Lee made a surprise appearance at comedian Bill Burr’s Las Vegas performance last night, courtesy of an impromptu invite from fellow comic Dean Delray. Unbeknownst to the trio, the evening marked the 42nd anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic album Bark at the Moon—the 1983 opus that launched Lee’s career into the stratosphere with its blistering title track.
Delray, a longtime stand-up staple and podcaster known for his “Sandwich King” antics and appearances alongside Burr, took to social media post-show to capture the magic: “Last night I invited the legend Jake E Lee to come down and see Bill Burr and I in Las Vegas and it just so happened to be on the 40th anniversary of Bark at the Moon.” (Note: While Delray’s post referenced the 40th anniversary from a 2023 perspective, the timing aligns with the album’s enduring legacy, released on November 15, 1983.)
The gathering unfolded at a buzzing Strip venue, where Burr—fresh off his “Drop Dead Years” special and a string of sold-out tours—delivered his signature unfiltered rants to a packed house. Delray, Burr’s frequent opener and collaborator, set the stage with his high-energy set before extending the invite to Lee, the axe-wielding virtuoso behind Ozzy’s post-Randy Rhoads era. Fans in attendance described the backstage vibe as electric, with the three icons swapping stories amid the neon glow: Burr’s Boston-bred skepticism clashing hilariously with Lee’s tales of ’80s excess and Delray’s rock ‘n’ roll insider anecdotes.
“It’s one of those nights Vegas was built for—timeless riffs meeting timeless roasts,” said one eyewitness, who caught a glimpse of the group post-show. “Jake looked stoked to be there, and Bill had him cracking up over some wild tour stories. Dean’s the glue, man—he knows everybody.”
For Lee, 68 and still shredding with projects like his Badlands reunions and solo ventures, the evening served as a poetic nod to Bark at the Moon’s legacy. The album, featuring Lee’s searing solos on tracks like “You’re No Different” and the werewolf-howling title cut, peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard charts and went multi-platinum. Co-written amid controversy (with bassist Bob Daisley later claiming credit battles), it solidified Lee’s place in metal lore—though he famously noted in interviews that much of the music was his brainchild.
Burr, no stranger to rock crossovers (he’s guested on everything from Metallica openers to Howie Mandel podcasts), has long voiced admiration for the genre’s rebels. Delray, who once opened for both Burr and Metallica, bridged the worlds effortlessly, turning the meetup into a mini-reunion of sorts. The comedian’s podcast, The Dean Delray Podcast, has hosted a who’s-who of music and comedy, making such mashups par for his course.
No formal collaboration was announced, but whispers of a potential jam session or podcast episode swirled among the crowd. As Vegas nights go, this one blended the thunder of Lee’s guitar legacy with the thunderbolts of Burr’s wit—proving that 42 years after Bark at the Moon howled into existence, its spirit still packs a punch.
For fans hoping for more, keep an eye on Delray’s feeds: if history’s any guide, this won’t be the last time these worlds collide.
