When Ozzy Osbourne took the stage for his historic **final show in Birmingham** this July, fans were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime reunion. Among the highlights was the return of former guitarist **Jake E. Lee**, performing with the Prince of Darkness for the first time in nearly four decades. But while the moment was unforgettable, Lee has now revealed that the performance was nearly derailed by a chaotic backstage situation that left his guitar slightly out of tune.
A Chaotic Backstage Lead-Up
Speaking to *Guitar.com*, Lee admitted that confusion behind the scenes created unnecessary stress before his big entrance. He explained that he knew his guitar needed tuning but was left waiting without clear direction.
> “I was backstage, and I knew my guitar needed tuning. And I kept saying, ‘Where’s the rest of the band? Shouldn’t I be out there?’ But they said, ‘No, we’re not ready for you?’”
When the moment finally came, things only got worse. Instead of being led to his proper stage position, Lee was guided 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…’”
With no time to adjust or tune properly, Lee walked onstage knowing his guitar wasn’t in ideal shape.
The Emotional High of the Crowd
If Lee was worried about sounding a little off, the audience quickly put his fears to rest. As he emerged, the Birmingham crowd erupted, chanting his name in thunderous unison. Fellow musicians, including **Nuno Bettencourt** and **Lzzy Hale**, even bowed and embraced him in celebration.
> “The crowd was chanting my name. It was overwhelming. I’m surprised I didn’t trip and fall down!” Lee said. “Because of all that, I was a little out of tune – but it was worth it. To have that introduction and reaction was good for my soul.”
Revisiting Old Classics
Lee joined Osbourne and an all-star lineup featuring Bettencourt, **Mike Bordin**, and **David Ellefson** to perform fan favorites including *The Ultimate Sin* and *Shot in the Dark*. While the performance wasn’t flawless, Lee said the imperfections hardly mattered compared to the energy of the night.
> “With *Shot in the Dark*, we rehearsed it a certain way, but I think David got a little excited and jumped ahead. So I didn’t get to do my cool harmony at the beginning, but that’s okay! Did I play my best? Maybe not. Was I in tune? Maybe not. Was it fantastic and amazing? Absolutely.”
Healing Old Wounds
For fans, the reunion carried as much emotional weight offstage as it did onstage. Lee had not performed with Osbourne since his departure in 1987, a split that left decades of silence between them. The reunion, orchestrated in part by **Tom Morello**, became a chance for reconciliation.
Lee admitted that stepping back onto the stage with Ozzy was about more than music—it was about honoring the legacy they built together and closing an important chapter.
### A Legacy Moment
Despite the slight tuning mishap, Jake E. Lee’s return at Ozzy’s farewell show was one of the night’s defining moments. For Lee, it was less about technical perfection and more about being part of something historic.
> “Did I play my best? Maybe not. Was I in tune? Maybe not. Was it fantastic and amazing? Absolutely,” he repeated, capturing the spirit of the night.
For fans in Birmingham, and for those watching around the world, the reunion was proof that even after decades apart, the bond between Ozzy Osbourne and Jake E. Lee could still light up a stage.
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