Jake E. Lee Opens Up About Rejoining Ozzy Osbourne for Farewell Concert Thanks to Tom Morello
Jake E. Lee’s Unexpected Return to Ozzy Osbourne’s Stage—With a Push From Tom Morello
When you think about the wild history of rock, especially Ozzy Osbourne’s career, you don’t expect quiet reunions after years of radio silence. But that’s exactly what happened when Jake E. Lee, the guitarist behind Ozzy’s thunderous 80s sound, got a call out of the blue—just not from Ozzy himself. In a twist, it was Tom Morello, famous for his work in Rage Against the Machine, who tracked him down with a simple message: the farewell concert wouldn’t be right without him. Morello had taken on the role of musical director for Ozzy’s big farewell and made it clear, ‘I can’t see this going on without Jake E. Lee in there somewhere.’
Lee, who made his mark on Ozzy’s albums Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, hadn’t talked to Ozzy in decades. The gig was both exciting and daunting, especially when Morello laid it out so bluntly—Lee’s return was non-negotiable for honoring Ozzy’s legacy. With that, Jake started dusting off the classics and debating which of his iconic tracks he could still pull off live.
Choosing the Right Song and Looking Back at Onstage Antics
Every Ozzy fan hopes for those big hits—*Bark at the Moon* is usually at the top of that list. But for Lee, arthritis has made that particular song increasingly tough to perform. ‘I know people are expecting Bark at the Moon,” he admitted, “but… that would be very challenging.’ He wasn’t ruling it out, though. He joked he’d keep practicing “just in case,” not wanting to let fans down if the moment called for it. The other likely option, ‘Ultimate Sin,’ was still on the table—less finger-bending, but still loaded with memories from Ozzy’s wildest era.
Jake’s journey with Ozzy was always unpredictable, and he can back it up with stories that barely sound real. Take the time they played ‘War Pigs’ and Ozzy blanked on the lyrics. Did he freeze? Nope. He broke into ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ instead, leaving the band and audience totally bewildered. Lee just shrugged and kept playing on, because what else do you do when the Prince of Darkness decides it’s time for nursery rhymes mid-metal anthem?
Respect runs deep for Lee, especially when it comes to the other Black Sabbath legend, Tony Iommi. For Jake, Iommi’s style was always tricky to channel, even harder than Randy Rhoads. ‘His riffing, nobody can match it,’ Lee said, making it clear that true tribute meant capturing that unique energy rather than just following the notes.
But the spotlight wasn’t just on the music—it was about offering something back to Ozzy. Health issues have followed him for years, and many wondered if he’d ever get the closure a career like his deserved. Lee said the farewell wasn’t just for fans, but for Ozzy to step out on his own terms, with friends and bandmates by his side. And by tying the event to charity, they managed to use the legendary moment to help others, adding even more significance to the night.
Jake E. Lee’s part in Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert proves these rock legends never really ride into the sunset quietly. With Tom Morello’s push, and a mix of raw nostalgia and humor, the night turned into a true celebration—not just of music, but of resilience and closing the book with style.