Why One of OZZY OSBOURNE’s Old Rivals Agreed to Play at BLACK SABBATH’s Farewell Show

Summary

• Jake E. Lee returns after decades away, to join Ozzy’s final show at Back to the Beginning in Birmingham.
• He hasn’t seen or spoken to Ozzy Osbourne since the 1980s, but says the moment is too important to miss.
• The farewell event features Black Sabbath’s original lineup, with appearances by Metallica, Pantera, and more.

Jake E. Lee hasn’t spoken to Ozzy Osbourne in decades. The two didn’t exactly part ways on good terms, and there’s been little reason for contact since Lee was fired back in the ’80s.

Still, on July 5 in Birmingham, the guitarist will be right there on stage for Back to the Beginning, Black Sabbath’s farewell concert and Ozzy’s final live appearance.

So what changed?

In an interview with Guitar World, Lee explained that it all started with a call from Tom Morello. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist is serving as the event’s musical director, and he made it clear that Lee’s presence mattered.

“Tom Morello called me. He said, ‘There’s going to be this show, with the original Sabbath lineup and Ozzy’s last performance. I can’t picture this happening without you being part of it at some point.’”

That wasn’t just flattery. It was an invitation wrapped in acknowledgment, a nod to the era when Lee helped shape Ozzy’s sound after Randy Rhoads’ death.

In a separate conversation with Brave Words, Lee said the significance of the show went beyond nostalgia.

“It’s a thrill to be part of this. And to witness it. I hope Ozzy makes it to the stage. I haven’t seen or talked to him in decades. I don’t know what kind of shape he’s in, but he deserves this final goodbye.”

Lee isn’t pretending it’ll be easy. Fans are expecting him to play Bark at the Moon, but he’s unsure if he can physically manage it.

“People want ‘Bark at the Moon,’ I get it. But with my wrist and arthritis, it would be tough. I’m leaning toward ‘The Ultimate Sin.’ It’s heavier, and I’ve always liked that solo.”

Jake E. Lee’s time with Ozzy Osbourne was brief but important. He played guitar on Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), filling the post-Rhoads gap before being let go in 1987 without much ceremony.

The split was sudden, and the relationship fractured. This performance, then, isn’t just a guest appearance. It’s a sort of closing chapter, not just for Ozzy, but for Lee too.

More than 30 years later, the tone has shifted. Lee says it doesn’t matter if Ozzy’s voice isn’t what it used to be or if he needs help just getting to the stage. What matters is that he’s there. And for the first time in 20 years, the full original Black Sabbath lineup will join him.

The show, curated by Morello, is shaping up to be a high-wattage affair. Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and other metal heavyweights will take part. The concert will also raise funds for organizations including Cure Parkinson’s.

About “Back to the Beginning”

Back to the Beginning is a one-night-only concert scheduled for July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England, marking the final live performance of Ozzy Osbourne and a formal farewell to Black Sabbath. The event will bring together the band’s original lineup, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, for the first time in two decades.

The show is organized by Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), who serves as musical director, and includes performances by Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, and others. A special “supergroup” will also perform songs from Ozzy’s solo career and Black Sabbath’s catalog.

Proceeds from the concert will go to charitable organizations, including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The event will be filmed, and tickets went on sale on February 14, 2025. It’s positioned as both a tribute to Ozzy’s legacy and a symbolic closing chapter for the band that helped define heavy metal.

For more information, visit backtothebeginning.com.

Got a tip for us? Email: [email protected]