Veteran guitarist **Jake E. Lee** has seen just about everything in his storied rock career, but even he wasn’t fully prepared for the backstage whirlwind that unfolded during the recent **“Back to the Beginning”** concert — a celebration of rock icons and their legacies. In a candid recollection, Jake shared how what was meant to be a smooth, dramatic entrance turned into a moment of confusion, humor, and unexpected honor.
From the start, Jake sensed something was off. “*There was this whole setup, like, ‘Has anybody seen Jake?’*” he recalled, laughing. Meanwhile, he was backstage, guitar in hand, fully aware that his instrument still needed tuning. *“I kept saying, ‘Where’s the rest of the band? Shouldn’t I be out there?’ But they kept insisting, ‘No, we’re not ready for you!’”* It was a classic case of miscommunication behind the curtain.
Finally, after repeated attempts to figure out where he was supposed to be, Jake was given the green light — but even then, he was directed to the wrong side of the stage. “*They led me to stage right, and I said, ‘Shouldn’t I be stage left? I’m playing over there…’ But they said, ‘No, you’ve got to go this way.’*” It wasn’t the triumphant entrance he envisioned… but destiny had something better planned.
When he stepped out — slightly disoriented, unsure if his guitar was even in tune — he was stunned by what he heard. The crowd was *chanting his name*. Without him even playing a note, the audience erupted in recognition. On stage, **Nuno Bettencourt** and **Lzzy Hale** greeted him not just with applause, but with *bows*. Legendary guitarist Nuno even pulled Jake in and planted a kiss on his cheek — a spontaneous moment that left Jake laughing and deeply moved.
“*I walked out, and Nuno had the whole crowd chanting my name. Lzzy and Nuno are bowing to me. Then Nuno grabbed me and gave me a kiss on the cheek!*” Jake recounted with a mix of disbelief and warmth.
What could have been a stressful technical mishap transformed into something far more meaningful: **a moment of respect**. Among fellow musicians and fans, Jake wasn’t just another guest — he was being honored as a pillar of rock history. For an artist who once retreated from the spotlight and doubted whether anyone still cared, that reception spoke volumes.
A Moment Beyond Music
The scene captured something rare in rock: unity across generations. Nuno Bettencourt, celebrated for his virtuosic style with Extreme, and Lzzy Hale, a powerhouse frontwoman redefining modern rock, stood reverently before Jake E. Lee — the man whose riffs on *“Bark at the Moon”* and *“The Ultimate Sin”* shaped the sound of 1980s metal.
In that moment, confusion gave way to clarity: **Jake E. Lee is not forgotten. He is revered.**
Despite the tuning troubles, backstage chaos, and misdirections, Jake stepped onto that stage not as a relic of the past, but as a living legend — applauded, bowed to, and chanted by thousands.
For a guitarist who once said he never needed the spotlight, fate handed him one anyway — and this time, it glowed with gratitude. 🎸🔥
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