The guitarist who lost the coveted role to Zakk Wylde on what it was like to audition for Ozzy Osbourne

Jake E. Lee
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Who is this?
Jake E. Lee (born Jakey Lou Williams; February 15, 1957) is an American musician best known as lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne between 1982 and 1987 and later as a member of the heavy metal band Badlands with Ray Gillen. He formed the band Red Dragon Cartel in 2013, and their debut album released in January 2014 entered the Billboard Album Chart at number 69. He has also recorded solo works under his own name—examples being the instrumental album A Fine Pink Mist (1996) and cover album Retraced (2005).
Career
- 1957Born
Trivia
- •Citizenship: United States
- •Known as: guitarist, classical guitarist, songwriter, composer
- •Genre: hard rock, traditional heavy metal, blues
- •Plays: guitar
What happened recently
Red Dragon Cartel Red Dragon Cartel - Feeder Lyric Video (Official / Feat. Jake E. Lee - Robin Zander on Voice)
Disgusting Way in Which Jake E. Lee Was Removed Ozzy Osbourne’s Band Will Still Boil Your Blood After 37 Years
“I saw it and said, ‘What the hell is that?’”: The mystery fuzz pedal that Jake E. Lee got from Paul Gilbert
“A good amp will make almost any guitar sound good”: Jake E. Lee picks a side in the great rig debate
“I had a couple of drinks and started thinking, ‘I wonder if they have an Ovation Breadwinner…’” Jake E. Lee on the ultimate ’70s oddball guitar – and how he found a holy grail Marshall for $80 while touring with Ozzy
“They were sending me leftovers that other people hadn’t picked up. After Ultimate Sin, I felt I should have something a bit more personalized”: Charvel pays tribute to Jake E. Lee’s Ozzy Osbourne era with newest signature model
“Sharon told him he was out of his f**king mind”: Jake E. Lee recalls when producer Ron Nevison tried to replace him on Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin
“A lot of people said it was Ozzy’s worst record ever. By the late ’90s, I thought, ‘I guess it was. I just really sucked on it’”: Jake E. Lee on his battle to make Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin – and how he learned to love it in spite of the critics
Jake E. Lee feels that he found his voice and identity on Ozzy Osbourne’s album ‘The Ultimate Sin’
“It’s a really good guitar, especially for the price”: Jake E. Lee has added Yungblud’s signature guitar to his collection
“I don’t like the way they look or sound. I have no fondness for them at all”: Jake E. Lee hates Telecasters… but there was one which changed his mind
Jake E. Lee was on tour with Ozzy Osbourne when he stumbled upon the gear bargain of a lifetime
“I said, ‘Where is it from?’ He says, ‘I don’t know. It’s been here for the last 20 or 25 years...’” Jake E. Lee was on tour with Ozzy Osbourne when he stumbled upon the gear bargain of a lifetime
“He told Sharon, ‘I know a lot of guitar players. We don’t have to use him’”: Jake E. Lee recalls how his conflict with producer Ron Nevison impacted Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin
“Maybe he felt my part was getting bigger than a band member should be”: Jake E. Lee on contract negotiations for Ozzy's The Ultimate Sin
“I texted Jake and told him, ‘There’s no way in hell I’m taking that solo. You’re going to play it!’” Why Nuno Bettencourt said no when Jake E. Lee asked him to play one of his iconic solos at Back to the Beginning
Jake E. Lee names the guitar virtuoso who had him sweating backstage at Back to the Beginning
“Watching him and the musicians rehearsing their songs while I was standing there waiting my turn, I started to get really nervous”: Jake E. Lee names the guitar virtuoso who had him sweating backstage at Back to the Beginning
“That’s not Ozzy, that’s jazz. Go back and write me something else!” Jake E. Lee said this was the most “frustrating” thing about his final chapter in Ozzy Osbourne’s band
“Ozzy would say, ‘No. This isn’t Frank Zappa, this is Ozzy Osbourne. Go back and write me something else’”: Jake E. Lee revisits Badlands, the album the music industry doesn't want you to hear
“I walked out and Nuno had the crowd chanting my name. It was overwhelming. I’m surprised I didn’t trip and fall down”: Jake E. Lee on defying expectations, arthritis and gunshot wounds to mend his friendship with Ozzy at Back to the Beginning
Jake E. Lee Didn’t Have Time to Worry About Being Out of Tune During Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell Show
Jake E. Lee played Greeny backstage at Ozzy Osbourne’s final show – but almost wishes he hadn’t
Jake E. Lee Reveals Text Message Ozzy Osbourne Sent Him After Back to the Beginning Concert
Jake E. Lee Recalls How Ozzy Osbourne “Stumped” Him During 1983 Performance of “War Pigs”
The Song Jake E. Lee Wants to Play at Ozzy’s Farewell Isn’t the One You Think