The world of rock and heavy metal is mourning the loss of a true icon as news broke earlier this week that **Ozzy Osbourne**, the “Prince of Darkness” and founding member of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of **76**. Among those paying heartfelt tribute is former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist **Jake E. Lee**, who worked closely with the singer during a pivotal period in his solo career.
In a statement released to the press on Friday afternoon, Lee expressed both sorrow and deep respect for the man who changed the face of metal and gave him one of the biggest opportunities of his career.
> “Ozzy was larger than life,” Lee wrote. “His voice, his madness, his music — everything about him was iconic. But what a lot of people didn’t see was the heart behind it all. I got to see that heart.”
“We Made Magic Together”
Jake E. Lee famously joined Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band in 1983 after the departure of Randy Rhoads and Brad Gillis. With Lee on guitar, Osbourne released **‘Bark at the Moon’** (1983) and **‘The Ultimate Sin’** (1986), both albums featuring Lee’s searing riffs and melodic solos that helped define Ozzy’s post-Sabbath sound.
> “We made magic together. The ‘Bark at the Moon’ sessions were intense — Ozzy had a fire in him, and he wanted to prove something. And man, did he. He always gave everything on stage, even when he had nothing left in the tank,” Lee recalled.
Though their relationship was at times strained — notably over songwriting credits, with Lee long claiming he was never properly acknowledged for his contributions — the guitarist made it clear that time had softened any old bitterness.
> “Whatever happened back then, none of it matters now. I look back and I’m proud. Proud to have stood next to him, proud to have played those songs, and proud to have been a part of that wild, beautiful chaos.”
Lee also praised Ozzy’s impact on music and culture, describing him as one of a kind.
> “There will never be another Ozzy. Not in this lifetime. He wasn’t just a rock star — he *was* rock and roll. He lived it, breathed it, and somehow survived it longer than anyone thought he would. That’s legendary.”
When asked what he’ll remember most about his time with Osbourne, Lee simply said:
> “The laughs. The insanity. The moments on stage when you’d look over and see him grinning like a madman, owning the crowd. That’s what I’ll keep with me.”
A Final Farewell
Lee’s tribute concluded with a poignant message to his former bandmate and friend:
> “Rest easy, Oz. You gave us everything, and you did it your way — loud, bold, and unforgettable. I hope wherever you are now, the stage is big, the lights are bright, and the crowd is eternal. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story.”
**Ozzy Osbourne**, born in Birmingham, England, became a global force in music with Black Sabbath before launching an extraordinary solo career. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to a statement from wife Sharon Osbourne
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