👑 November 2025 — For decades, Jake E. Lee carved out a respected career in hard rock, but his legacy was perpetually overshadowed by a familiar shadow: his time with Ozzy Osbourne. Despite contributing guitar work and co-writing on classic albums like Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, Lee often felt that his essential role in the Prince of Darkness’s history had been relegated to a mere asterisk.
That changed completely in July 2025. Lee’s surprise and highly publicized appearance at the combined Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath farewell concert, “Back To The Beginning,” served as a massive, public vindication, finally allowing the guitarist to shed the heavy mantle of feeling like a “forgotten footnote.”
A Long Shadow of Omission
Speaking recently on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, Lee addressed the long-standing emotional weight of this perceived omission. He lamented his virtual absence from official documentaries, retrospectives, and key historical markers like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, noting, “I’m not mentioned much in documentaries and things about Ozzy. At the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, you know, not a photo.”
This history led to profound personal doubt. Upon receiving the call to perform, Lee admitted his initial reaction was colored by insecurity: “I came in there feeling kind of like a footnote, maybe even an almost forgotten footnote: ‘Oh, yeah, we’ll throw him in there too.’”
The Week That Changed Everything
However, the reality of the experience—which Lee called possibly “one of the best weeks of my life”—immediately dispelled his fears. The key difference was the respect and genuine welcome he received from the entire production, his former bandmates, and his fellow musicians.
“Everybody treated me so respectfully and [there was] encouragement and support from everybody,” the 68-year-old stated. This respect was the essential ingredient. It validated his contributions not just to the fans, but within the inner circle of the music industry he helped define. The experience made him feel genuinely “special,” finally providing the official acknowledgment that his chapter in Ozzy’s story was fundamental, not auxiliary.
The guitarist credits musical director Tom Morello, who reportedly told Lee, “I can’t imagine doing this without you,” for the initial invitation. This statement was the final piece of confirmation Lee needed. By taking the stage at such a landmark event, Lee didn’t just perform two songs; he reclaimed his rightful place in rock history, officially ending decades of grappling with his own legacy.