🤘 The final concert for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career—dubbed ‘Back to the Beginning’—was a monumental event, a star-studded gathering that paid homage to one of heavy metal’s founding pillars. Held in Birmingham, the show was packed with headlining acts like Metallica and Slayer, performing deep cuts and surprising collaborations. Yet, amidst the legends and chart-toppers, one appearance carried an added layer of personal triumph: that of former Ozzy guitarist, Jake E. Lee.
🌟 A Welcome Return to the Fold
Lee’s participation was a welcome surprise for fans, who felt his tenure with Ozzy—producing classics like “Bark at the Moon” and “The Ultimate Sin”—had been somewhat overlooked in the larger narrative. Lee himself had expressed feeling like a “forgotten footnote” in Ozzy’s history. His presence at the massive event, orchestrated by musical director Tom Morello, was a public acknowledgment of his significant contributions to the Prince of Darkness’s legacy.
Lee joined an all-star supergroup to perform two tracks from his era: “The Ultimate Sin,” featuring vocals from Lzzy Hale and support from Nuno Bettencourt and David Ellefson, and “Shot in the Dark,” with Disturbed’s David Draiman stepping up to the microphone.
💪 Overcoming the Unthinkable
What made Lee’s performance particularly poignant was the journey he took to the stage. Just a year prior, he had been the victim of a shooting incident in Las Vegas. While he successfully recovered from the three gunshot wounds, the injuries left him with nerve pain that necessitated a complete overhaul of his signature picking technique.
The questions surrounding his performance capabilities were natural and widely discussed among his fanbase. Could the man who penned some of the era’s most demanding solos still execute under the pressure of a global spotlight?
The answer, delivered live on stage, was an emphatic yes. Lee proved unequivocally that his resilience was as powerful as his riffing. Despite the lingering physical challenges, his playing was sharp, powerful, and utterly professional, silencing any doubts. His appearance was more than a nostalgic tribute; it was a testament to his indomitable spirit, marking a triumphant return for a guitarist who had stared down adversity and emerged unbowed.