🌙 The anticipation is palpable as the date for Black Sabbath’s final concert draws near, promising a spectacular send-off for the legendary band. While the night will feature performances from numerous iconic acts, all eyes are fixed on Ozzy Osbourne, who is slated to perform a set list that simply cannot exclude his solo era classics. Adding to the excitement, former Ozzy guitarist Jake E. Lee—a pivotal figure in shaping the singer’s 80s sound—is set to join him on stage.
🎸 The Challenge of the ‘Bark at the Moon’ Classic
In a recent conversation with Guitar World, Lee provided a candid look behind the scenes at the challenges he faces preparing for the high-stakes performance. Lee is fully aware of the crowd’s expectations, noting that fans are clamoring to hear his defining contribution to the Ozzy catalog: the title track, “Bark at the Moon.”
However, the guitarist revealed that performing the iconic song is far from guaranteed.
“I know people are expecting ‘Bark at the Moon,’ but I don’t know. Right now, with my wrist, the arthritis and everything, that would be very challenging,” Lee confessed.
Lee, who helped co-write some of Osbourne’s finest work, now finds his physical ability constrained. The high-speed, demanding nature of the 1983 track presents a genuine obstacle due to ongoing issues with arthritis in his wrist.
💪 Practicing Just in Case
Despite the physical struggle, Lee is not ruling the performance out completely. With a couple of months remaining until the farewell event, he is dedicated to intense preparation just in case the track makes the final cut for the setlist. “I have a couple of months to get up to it, so I’ll practice it just in case that’s the one. But that’s going to be pretty challenging for me physically,” he stated. Fans are now left wondering which Lee-era classic might be chosen if “Bark at the Moon” proves too taxing. Potential candidates could include the hard-hitting “The Ultimate Sin” tracks or other staples from the Bark at the Moon album.
🎤 Dio “Wasn’t Sabbath,” Says Lee
The conversation also pivoted to Black Sabbath’s history, prompting a strong opinion from Lee regarding the band’s vocal lineage. While acknowledging the quality of Ronnie James Dio’s work, Lee drew a firm line between the two iconic eras of the band. In a pointed statement, he asserted that while Dio was a fantastic talent, “Dio just wasn’t Sabbath.” This comment reignites the long-standing debate among fans about who truly defined the sound of Black Sabbath, firmly staking Lee’s ground in the Ozzy camp as the definitive voice of the band.
The upcoming concert is shaping up to be a momentous event, not just for Black Sabbath, but for Ozzy’s solo legacy. The question remains: will Jake E. Lee manage to conquer his physical challenge and deliver the Bark at the Moon solo one last time?