Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee hospitalized after Las Vegas shooting
|Legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee, known for his iconic work with Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, and Red Dragon Cartel, was shot multiple times on Tuesday morning during a street shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a statement from his management, sent to Maxazine, Lee is currently in stable condition and being treated in the intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital.
Jake E. Lee, born Jakey Lou Williams on February 15, 1957, in Norfolk, Virginia, became one of the most influential rock guitarists of the 1980s and 1990s. His career took off in 1983 when he was chosen to join Ozzy Osbourne’s band. Lee immediately made an impression with his guitar skills on the albums ‘Bark at the Moon’ (1983) and ‘The Ultimate Sin’ (1986), where he played a crucial role in defining the unique heavy metal sound of the era. His blend of blues influences with hard rock and metal created a distinctive style that secured his place as a staple in the rock world.
“As confirmed by management, legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, Red Dragon Cartel) was shot multiple times early this morning in a Las Vegas, NV street shooting. Lee is fully conscious and doing well in an intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital. He is expected to fully recover. Las Vegas authorities believe the shooting was completely random and occurred while Lee took his dog out for a walk in the early morning hours. As the incident is under police investigation, no further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time,” a spokesperson for Lee said to Maxazine.
Following his successful tenure with Ozzy, Lee founded the band Badlands in 1988, where he further explored his creative freedom. Badlands became known for their raw, powerful blues-rock sound, and their debut album ‘Badlands’ was praised by both critics and fans alike. Despite the band’s breakup, their influence remains strong within the hard rock scene.
In the years that followed, Lee remained active in the music industry, and in 2014, he made a successful comeback with his new band Red Dragon Cartel. Their self-titled debut album, ‘Red Dragon Cartel,’ was well-received and confirmed that Lee remained a formidable force in hard rock.
Jake E. Lee has left a lasting mark on the rock and heavy metal world with his innovative and unique guitar style. His ability to blend different musical genres and his contributions to some of the most iconic rock songs in history have earned him a special place in rock music.
The shooting incident occurred while Lee was out walking his dog. Despite the severity of the situation, it has been confirmed that the guitarist is fully conscious and is expected to make a complete recovery. Las Vegas authorities are investigating the incident, but no further details have been released. While the investigation is ongoing, the focus remains on Lee’s recovery.
Since the news of the shooting, Lee celebrated for his contributions to the rock and heavy metal scenes, has received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow musicians. His family has asked for privacy during his recovery and expressed their gratitude for the positive messages and well wishes.