Guitar icon Jake E. Lee, who gained fame as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, found himself in the midst of a terrifying incident in Las Vegas that has left the rock world in shock. Lee was shot multiple times early Tuesday morning while simply taking his dog for a walk. The tragic incident has left fans and fellow musicians stunned, as Lee, now 67, remains in the hospital following the attack.
TMZ first reported the news, stating that authorities believe the shooting was a “random” act of violence, with no indication that the guitarist was specifically targeted. Despite the severity of the attack, it has been confirmed that Lee’s condition is stable. His manager, Tim Heyne, shared with The Associated Press that, “By the grace of God, no major organs were hit. He’s fully responsive and expected to make a full recovery.” Currently, Lee remains in the intensive care unit, fully conscious and showing positive signs of recovery. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department has confirmed that no arrests have been made as the investigation into the 2:40 AM shooting continues.
In the wake of the incident, Lee’s fellow musicians and members of the rock community have shared their concern and support. Guitarist Brad Gillis took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his relief and support, writing, “I just heard about Jake E. Lee. Glad to hear he is doing well. My thoughts are with ya, buddy[sic]!” SiriusXM host Mark Strigl also shared his concern, writing, “Thinking of and praying for Jake E. Lee.”
Ozzy Osbourne, Lee’s former bandmate, also expressed his well-wishes for Lee in a heartfelt post on Instagram. Osbourne, who hasn’t seen Lee in over 37 years, shared a throwback photo of the two musicians together, along with a heartfelt message: “It’s been 37 years since I’ve seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn’t take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him today. It’s just another senseless act of gun violence. I just hope he’ll be okay.” Fans quickly rallied in the comments, sharing their support and expressing hope for a reunion between the two musicians. One fan commented, “With Ozzy getting older, I think now is a good time to reunite, if only a private visit[sic].” Another added, “Definitely some unnecessary gun violence. I hope Jake is okay. Ozz,[sic] you should keep in contact and if you release more music, invite Jake. He was great with you.”
Many rock fans have echoed the desire for a reunion between Osbourne and Lee, with some even urging the two to collaborate again. One fan commented, “Love you Jake! Oz, you better bring him on board to rip a solo on your next album,” emphasizing the enduring love for Lee’s guitar work. Despite their separation over the years, Lee’s time with Osbourne remains a cherished part of rock history.
In a 2022 interview, Osbourne reflected on his time working with Lee and acknowledged the guitarist’s immense talent. He mentioned the importance of having a strong guitarist in a band, noting that “when you’ve got a crap one, the band is crap, but when you’ve got someone who shines…” He went on to describe Lee as a great guitarist, though he admitted that their relationship had been strained due to outside influences. Osbourne recalled that their former drummer, Randy Castillo, had turned him against Lee, which caused some tension, even though Osbourne had no personal issues with him and still recognized Lee’s incredible abilities.
In a 2014 interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation, Lee revealed that he had written most of the music for Osbourne’s 1983 album Bark At The Moon alongside bassist Bob Daisley but did not receive any credit. Lee explained that this was due to an agreement made with Osbourne and the record label at the time. During the interview, Lee recounted that he had been promised songwriting credit and publishing rights, but after completing his guitar work on the album, he was presented with a contract that stated Osbourne had written all of the songs. The contract also prohibited Lee from publicly claiming any involvement in the songwriting process.
Jake E. Lee, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in San Diego, made a name for himself in the 1980s. Before rising to prominence with Osbourne, Lee played in several bands, including an early version of Ratt. His big break came in 1982 when he joined Osbourne’s band, where he stayed until 1987. Following his time with Osbourne, Lee formed the metal band Badlands and later pursued a solo career, releasing two albums. Most recently, he has been the driving force behind the band Red Dragon Cartel. Despite the ups and downs of his career, Lee’s influence on the rock and metal scene continues to resonate to this day.
Meanwhile, Ozzy Osbourne has continued to thrive in his own right, though he has faced significant health struggles in recent years. In 2023, Osbourne reflected on his surprising longevity, admitting that he often wonders why, among all his friends, he is still alive. Osbourne has lost many people close to him over the years, including his longtime drinking partners, and often reflects on the fact that he believes he should have passed away long ago. In an interview, Osbourne remarked, “Why am I the last man standing? I don’t understand any of it.” He went on to say, “I’m not boasting about any of it because I should have been dead a thousand times. I’ve had my stomach pumped. God knows how many times.”
In 2019, Osbourne experienced a fall that brought to light issues from an old spinal injury. He has undergone several procedures to address the problem, including one surgery to remove two metal plates from his spine. At one point, Osbourne experienced such severe nerve pain that he prayed not to wake up the following morning. While his condition has since improved, he still faces challenges with his mobility and has described the sensation of walking as feeling like having “bricks tied” to his feet.
Osbourne also revealed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 while in rehab, though he kept the diagnosis a secret until 2020. Fortunately, his Parkinson’s remains mild, and he has managed his symptoms with medications. Despite his health issues, Osbourne has expressed that he does not fear death. What he hopes to avoid is living in a state of constant pain and misery. Osbourne has stated that he believes he has about ten years left to live and is determined to make the most of the time he has left.
As for Jake E. Lee, the rock world continues to rally around him as he recovers from this senseless act of violence. The legendary guitarist’s resilience and contributions to music have left an indelible mark on the industry, and fans eagerly await his recovery and return to the stage.