Jake E. Lee Recounts Dramatic Ozzy Osbourne Audition and Challenges of Succeeding Randy Rhoads
Las Vegas, NV – November 10, 2025 – In a revealing new interview on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has shared candid details about his chaotic 1982 audition for the Prince of Darkness, including how a major mistake inadvertently secured him the role over Dokken’s George Lynch and the immense pressure of stepping into Randy Rhoads’ legendary shoes.
Lee, who served as Osbourne’s lead guitarist from 1982 to 1987 and contributed to multi-platinum albums Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), described the audition process as fraught with tension. Following Rhoads’ tragic death in a plane crash earlier that year, Osbourne initially favored Lynch, even bringing him on tour for rehearsals. However, when the tour hit Los Angeles, Lee—recommended by bassist Dana Strum—got his shot at a rehearsal studio audition.
According to Lee, the session started poorly. He arrived cocky and underprepared, admitting he “screwed up” by not learning the material thoroughly. During a jam on Black Sabbath classics, Osbourne forgot lyrics to “War Pigs” and mouthed to Lee for help. Lee’s blunt response—”I don’t know”—prompted Osbourne to improvise with “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” highlighting the absurdity of the moment.
Despite the blunder, Osbourne was impressed by Lee’s raw attitude and playing. Turning to Lynch, Osbourne reportedly declared, “He’s got it. You don’t. You’re fired.” Lee recalled the shock in the room, noting that Lynch had been the presumed frontrunner.
Reflecting on replacing Rhoads, Lee acknowledged the daunting task. “I never let it bother me,” he said in prior interviews, adding, “Randy was the best guitar player since Eddie Van Halen. But I was a good player. I just became a better player because I had to follow Randy.” On tour, Lee stuck closely to Rhoads’ solos from Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman while infusing his own bluesier style into new material.
Lee also touched on the wild excesses of Osbourne’s band, including substance-fueled antics, and his eventual 1987 firing, which he attributes partly to internal band dynamics. Despite past rifts, Lee has reconciled with Osbourne in recent years, even performing at a 2025 tribute event.
The full episode of Talk Is Jericho featuring Jake E. Lee’s untold stories, including his near-death shooting incident in 2024, is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.
Lee continues to perform with his band Red Dragon Cartel and remains a revered figure in heavy metal guitar history.
