Ozzy Osbourne Cautions Sharon Over Jake E. Lee: “Stop the Hatred”
In a rare moment of personal candor, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne has stepped forward to address long-standing tensions between his wife, Sharon Osbourne, and former Ozzy Osbourne Band guitarist Jake E. Lee, urging Sharon to “stop the hatred” and move on from the past.
The tension between Sharon and Jake E. Lee has been no secret to longtime fans. Since Jake’s abrupt departure from Ozzy’s solo band in the late 1980s, the relationship between the two has been marred by years of silence, passive-aggressive jabs, and bitter accusations. But now, decades later, Ozzy is calling for peace — and he’s directing that message squarely at his wife.
A Plea for Closure
During a backstage interview after the recent Back to the Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham, Ozzy spoke openly about the emotional cost of grudges, especially those that stretch over decades.
“I know what happened with Jake hurt Sharon,” Ozzy admitted. “But I’m tired of watching people I care about carry this weight around. Life’s too short. I told her, ‘Stop the hatred. Let it go.’”
Jake E. Lee, who played guitar on two of Ozzy’s most iconic solo albums — Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin — was a major figure in Ozzy’s 1980s resurgence after the death of Randy Rhoads. Despite his contributions to Ozzy’s sound, Lee has often expressed that he felt underappreciated and financially shortchanged during his time with the band — and Sharon has been the focus of his criticism.
“She never gave me the respect I deserved,” Jake once said in a 2014 interview. “I was writing those songs. I was part of that sound. But Sharon saw me as disposable.”
Sharon’s Unforgiving Stance
Sharon Osbourne has never hidden her feelings either. In previous years, she referred to Jake as “ungrateful,” claiming he “tried to rewrite history” and “take credit for things he didn’t do.” In an emotional interview last year, she even said, “There are some things you just don’t forgive.”
But Ozzy’s latest comments seem to reflect a man coming to terms with his legacy — and the human wreckage left in the wake of rock-and-roll glory.
“I’m not saying Jake was perfect. No one was,” Ozzy said. “But he was a bloody good guitarist. He saved my career at a time when I could’ve gone under. I’ll never forget that.”
According to sources close to the Osbournes, the conversation between Ozzy and Sharon about Jake was not planned but sparked during a quiet dinner after the Birmingham show.
“He just looked at her and said, ‘We’ve been through wars, but this one isn’t worth fighting anymore,’” the source said. “He told her, ‘It’s time to heal.’”
Jake’s Response
Jake E. Lee, currently fronting his band Red Dragon Cartel, responded to Ozzy’s public olive branch with cautious optimism.
“I’ve always respected Ozzy, no matter what,” Jake said in a recent social media post. “If he’s calling for peace, I’m open to that. I never hated him — I hated the way things were handled. But maybe it’s time to bury that hatchet.”
Jake’s message, while not overtly emotional, struck a chord with fans who have long hoped to see reconciliation among the classic members of Ozzy’s solo band.
The Fans Weigh In
Among the rock community, the news of Ozzy’s call for peace has been met with an outpouring of support.
“Ozzy is showing real wisdom here,” tweeted one fan. “He’s seen it all, and if he says it’s time to move on, that means something.”
Another posted, “Imagine what it would mean to the fans to see Jake and Ozzy even just shake hands. That would be a historic moment in metal.”
Some fans are even hoping for a more dramatic outcome — perhaps a surprise Jake E. Lee appearance at one of Ozzy’s remaining shows, or a reissue of Bark at the Moon with newly recorded commentary from both men.
More Than Just Music
At its core, Ozzy’s call to Sharon wasn’t about band politics or songwriting credits. It was about the emotional cost of decades-old resentment — and the healing power of time.
“I’ve lost a lot of people,” Ozzy said. “Randy, Lemmy, Dio… so many. Jake’s still here. Why spend the rest of our lives angry? What’s the point?”
While it remains unclear whether Sharon will publicly respond or reconsider her position, insiders say Ozzy’s words have struck a nerve.
“She listened,” said one close friend. “That’s all Ozzy wanted — for her to listen.”
A Moment of Grace
In a world where rock-and-roll legacies are often defined by drama, lawsuits, and broken friendships, Ozzy Osbourne’s gesture stands out as an act of humility and maturity. The Prince of Darkness, once known for chaos and controversy, now seems focused on finding peace before the final curtain falls.
As Ozzy himself put it, “We built something beautiful. Let’s not destroy it with bitterness.”
Whether this moment sparks true reconciliation between Sharon and Jake E. Lee remains to be seen. But for now, fans can take heart in knowing that even in the world of heavy metal, forgiveness is still possible.
