Guitarist Jake E Lee Recovering Following Shooting; Ozzy Reacts

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Jake E. Lee performing with Ozzy Osbourne in 1984

Legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee was shot multiple times early Monday morning (October 15, 2024) in a Las Vegas, NV street shooting. A statement from his publicist indicates that Lee is fully conscious and doing well in an intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital. He is expected to fully recover.

The 67 year-old Lee is best known as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne from 1982 – 1987. [See Osbourne’s statement below.] A year later, he was a founding member of the blues/hard rock group Badlands along with vocalist Ray Gillen, drummer Eric Singer and bassist Greg Chaisson. In 2013, he formed the band Red Dragon Cartel.

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. The Los Angeles Times noted in its coverage that Las Vegas metropolitan police officers responded to a call at 2:42 a.m. about 10 miles south of the Las Vegas strip. As of mid-afternoon, no arrests had been made. The incident is under police investigation.

The statement from publicist Amanda Cagan noted that Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time.

Watch Jake E. Lee perform “Crazy Train” in 1984 as part of Osbourne’s band

Osbourne told TMZ, “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. It’s just another senseless act of gun violence. I send my thoughts to him and his beautiful daughter, Jade. I just hope he’ll be ok.”

Earlier this year, ex-Badlands bassist Greg Chaisson said that Lee was suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist and was awaiting to have surgery, and thus had not played live since 2019. He hasn’t posted on his official Facebook page since 2014.