Jake E. Lee Reveals Truth Behind His Guitar Solo On Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Bark At The Moon’

In a recent interview, guitarist Jake E. Lee opened up about his time with Ozzy Osbourne, sharing a key anecdote about how the legendary singer’s input profoundly impacted his playing and, specifically, the now-iconic solo on the track “Bark at the Moon.” Lee, who had a fraught but productive relationship with Ozzy, credited the singer with a creative suggestion that pushed him beyond his own comfort zone.

During a discussion with Guitarist, Lee recalled the session for the song “Bark at the Moon.” He had meticulously planned the second half of the solo, but was struggling with the first half, which he envisioned as a more melodic, Neal Schon-style part. After spending a frustrating night in the studio with producer Max Norman, who was also growing impatient, Ozzy walked in.

Ozzy’s perspective was direct and unfiltered. “Ozzy walked in and said, ‘What the f**k is that?’ I said, ‘It’s not exactly how I want it, but it’s close.’ He said, ‘No, no, that’s not working. Just go out there and jam.’ I was like, ‘Why not? I’ll try it,’” Lee shared.

This spontaneous approach yielded the final solo, which was captured in just the second take of the impromptu jam. Lee remembered being surprised by the outcome, asking: “Really? I didn’t put any thought into it. I’m just sitting here ripping it out. How can that be the solo?”

The experience, Lee confessed, ultimately made him a better guitarist. He reflected on the lesson, saying that while he considered himself a top player in Los Angeles at the time, his work with Ozzy forced him to become more focused on his craft. The constant pressure of following a guitar icon like Randy Rhoads created a “do-or-die moment.” Years later, Lee says he now understands the wisdom in Ozzy’s seemingly simple suggestion. “He made me rethink how to play the guitar. I appreciate that.”

The title track from the 1983 album became a point of contention between the two, ultimately contributing to Lee’s departure from the band. At the time, all songwriting credits for the album were officially given to Ozzy. This credit issue was the core of their disagreement, as Lee maintained that he wasn’t concerned with the money, but with the acknowledgment of his work. The issue was later partially resolved when Ozzy acknowledged Lee’s contribution on the compilation The Ozzman Cometh, stating, “Jake came up with the riff. It was the first song we wrote together.”

Despite the difficult end to their professional relationship, Lee expressed pride in being a part of “Bark at the Moon,” acknowledging that it was a crucial song that proved Ozzy’s career was far from over after the tragic death of Randy Rhoads.