Jake E Lee shares heartbreaking final text from Ozzy Osbourne
Jake E Lee, who formerly served as Ozzy Osbourne‘s guitarist during the 1980s, has shared the final text message he received from the late singer.
Lee was a member of Osbourne’s solo band from 1982 until 1987, but they fell out of contact after he departed the group. Sadly, last year, Lee was shot three times while he was walking his dog on an October morning in Las Vegas. While this was a very traumatic time for the guitarist and also life-threatening, he successfully made a return to the stage for Osbourne’s farewell show at Villa Park.
Following the incident, Osbourne publicly reacted to the shooting, stating, “It’s been 37 years since I’ve seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn’t take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him today.”
Despite not speaking to Osbourne since 1987, musical director Tom Morello invited Lee to play a part in Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert at Villa Park earlier this month, and he didn’t hesitate in accepting the offer.
The show also marked the first time he’d come face-to-face with Osbourne in almost four decades, and following the concert, the two of them discussed plans to see each other again.
Taking to Facebook, Lee wrote: “Still processing it. The finality of it hits me in waves. This was a text I got from him as I was sitting in an airport headed back home two weeks ago.”
The message from Osbourne reads: “Hi jake im so sorry i couldnt spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really caotic, i would really like to see you when i eventually get back TO LA just to shoot the shit its been so long since we saw each other, where have are you living these days, because the last thing i herd was you were living in Las Vegas.”
Osbourne continued: “How did the gig for you on Saturday i really hope you had fun anyway i will text you when i eventually get back to LA and we must hook up much love and respect OZZY.”
Tragically, Osbourne didn’t make it back to Los Angeles, and according to his sister, the Black Sabbath frontman died in England.
Over the last 24 hours since his passing, Osbourne’s native Birmingham has come out to celebrate the late rock legend. Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street has become a shrine to the late vocalist, and Birmingham City Council has created a book of condolence, which fans can sign at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Fans have also covered the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street with flowers in memory of Ozzy.
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