After decades of speculation, comparisons, and fan-driven debate, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has finally addressed the long-standing rivalry often drawn between himself and his iconic predecessor, the late Randy Rhoads. Speaking candidly on the Tone-Talk YouTube channel, Lee offered his most in-depth comments yet on the matter, clarifying that while he respects Rhoads’ legacy, the comparison is ultimately unfair — and unnecessary.
The Shadow of a Legend
When Rhoads tragically passed away in March 1982, the loss not only devastated Ozzy Osbourne personally but left an unfillable void in his band. Rhoads had helped launch Ozzy’s solo career with groundbreaking guitar work on *Blizzard of Ozz* and *Diary of a Madman*, earning a spot alongside the likes of Eddie Van Halen in the pantheon of rock guitar gods.
Following Rhoads’ death, Ozzy went through a carousel of guitarists until finally settling on Jake E. Lee at the end of 1982. Lee’s arrival brought stability and fresh musical energy, leading to two major albums — *Bark at the Moon* (1983) and *The Ultimate Sin* (1986). But even with those achievements, Lee was constantly compared to Rhoads.
> “Still to this day, there are people who like my playing more than Randy’s,” Lee admitted. “And then there are others who act like that’s blasphemy — like it’s written in stone that Randy was just better, and anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot.”
“It’s About Preference, Not Superiority”
Lee made it clear that while he doesn’t believe he was a “better” guitarist than Rhoads, he also doesn’t think Rhoads was better than him. Instead, he argued that such comparisons come down to personal taste and stylistic preference.
> “We’re different. I’m not better, he’s not better. We just spoke in different ways. Once you get to a certain level of playing, it’s not about who’s more skilled — it’s about who speaks to you.”
Lee did, however, praise a key part of Rhoads’ legacy: his unparalleled fusion of classical and rock guitar styles.
> “The way Randy brought classical music into rock — no one has done it better since. I’ve gotta take my hat off to him. The stuff he did was awesome.”
A Fan Rivalry Gone Too Far
While Lee tried to avoid getting caught up in the rivalry, he couldn’t always escape the comparisons on the road. He recalled a particularly painful moment at an Ozzy show when a group of fans wearing Randy Rhoads T-shirts pointed at their shirts, flipped him off, and essentially tried to discredit his presence.
> “I went over after the show and told them, ‘Wearing that shirt just reminds Ozzy he lost a friend. Randy’s not here to see this. I’m glad you liked him, but you don’t have to shove it in my face.’”
The Bark at the Moon Recording Experience
In the same interview, Lee reflected on the recording of *Bark at the Moon* — and his initial disappointment with the final mix.
> “When I first heard it, I hated it. The keyboards were too loud, and the guitars — they weren’t driving the songs. They were too low in the mix.”
Although Ozzy was open to his concerns, **Sharon Osbourne** shut the idea of a remix down due to looming deadlines.
> “Sharon said, ‘No. We’re already way behind. We can’t remix it now. You’ll have to get used to it.’”
Despite his dissatisfaction, *Bark at the Moon* became a commercial success and remains a fan favorite — with the title track standing out as one of the most beloved songs in Ozzy’s solo discography.
### Moving Beyond the Shadow
In recent years, Jake E. Lee has seen a resurgence in popularity with his band **Red Dragon Cartel**, and he’s gearing up for a major release in 2025, with another project set for 2026. He even teased a possible collaboration with Ozzy on a future track — signaling a full-circle moment in a career often overshadowed by the ghost of his predecessor.
In the end, Lee’s words are a reminder that greatness in music doesn’t always boil down to comparison.
> “Randy had his thing. I have mine. We’re not in competition. We were both just trying to make something powerful — something that lasts. And I think we both did.”
It’s a fitting perspective from a guitarist who, after years of silence, is finally getting the recognition he deserves — not as the man who replaced Randy Rhoads, but as Jake E. Lee.
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