From 1982 to 1987, guitarist Jake E. Lee played a central role in Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band, contributing heavily to the albums Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin. His tenure ended abruptly when he was fired over the phone by Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager.
To add to the sting, Lee was denied songwriting credits on Bark at the Moon despite contributing much of the music.
Jake E. Lee’s Firing From Ozzy’s Band
Lee has long said he felt “screwed over” by the publishing dispute, but he never let bitterness consume him. Instead of retaliating, he kept quiet.
“I never fired back because I knew I’d never win,” he recently told Guitar World. “Getting into a fight with Ozzy through the press… he’s gonna win. And I still liked him, and I still liked Sharon.”
For Lee, it wasn’t about money or revenge. “Money has never been important to me. People don’t believe that, but it really doesn’t. Money corrupts so many people. I never let it corrupt me,” he explained.
Why Jake E. Lee Let Ozzy “Win”
Lee believes the firing ultimately came down to financial motives. “Getting as much money as he could! And when he fired me, the feeling I got from people in the industry was shock,” he recalled.
Still, instead of escalating, he chose restraint. He knew Ozzy’s larger-than-life persona and media power would always overshadow any attempt to fight back. More importantly, Lee always hoped for peace:
“I did always want to reconnect with him on whatever level. Not necessarily musically, but that would have been nice. I didn’t want it to end with getting fired and feeling like there was bad blood.”
Jake E. Lee Reunites With Ozzy at Farewell Show
Nearly four decades later, that chance came. On July 5, 2025, Lee appeared at Back to the Beginning, Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham. It was the first time he and Ozzy had crossed paths in almost 40 years, and the reunion was deeply meaningful.
After the show, Lee received a heartfelt text from Ozzy:
“Hi Jake, I’m so sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you on the weekend… I would really like to see you when I eventually get back to L.A.… we must hook up. Much love and respect. Ozzy.”
Just weeks later, on July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at his Buckinghamshire home. The message now stands as Lee’s lasting memory of closure with his former bandmate.
Closing Thoughts
Jake E. Lee’s decision to avoid a feud and “let Ozzy win” preserved his dignity, kept the door open for reconciliation, and brought his story with the Prince of Darkness full circle.
In the end, what mattered most wasn’t money, contracts, or credit—it was respect, friendship, and leaving things on good terms. What are your thoughts?
