Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has revealed details of an emotional reunion with the Prince of Darkness at a recent photo shoot tied to the “Back to the Beginning” all-star event, describing the brief encounter as “cathartic” and confirming there are no lingering hard feelings despite his abrupt firing in 1987.
Appearing on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast, Lee recounted how the long-awaited moment unfolded naturally during preparations for the tribute-style gathering of musicians who helped shape Ozzy’s solo career.
“I had always hoped to see Ozzy one more time,” Lee admitted. “My friends would ask, ‘Are you pissed off at him?’ No, I’ve never been pissed — unhappy about certain situations, sure — but never angry at Ozzy or Sharon.”
The reunion began when Sharon Osbourne approached Lee, affectionately cupped his face, called him “Jakey,” and gave him a warm hug. She then delivered the message: “Ozzy really wants to talk to you.”
With Ozzy typically surrounded by people, Sharon cleared the way for a private moment. The two former bandmates spoke for roughly two minutes — a short but meaningful exchange filled with gratitude.
“He thanked me for showing up and said I was making the night really special,” Lee recalled. “I told him, ‘No, thank you for inviting me — and thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.’ We chatted a bit about our kids, and then it was time for photos. He said, ‘We’ll talk more later,’ and I thought, ‘Okay, cool.’”
Lee, who played on the pivotal post-Randy Rhoads albums Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), emphasized that the brief conversation gave him the closure he had quietly hoped for over the decades.
“It was really good. It was cathartic,” he said. “I feel lucky I got that chance.”
Fans have long celebrated Lee’s contributions to Ozzy’s early solo success, and many praised the class and grace he showed in the interview, with the story quickly gaining traction across the rock and metal community.
