Sharon Osbourne Issues Fair Warning: “Jake E. Lee Probably Does Not Have Black Sabbath at Heart—He’s a Gold Digger”

Sharon Osbourne, known for her sharp words and fearless defense of her family, has once again ignited controversy in the rock world. In an exclusive interview, she fired a direct warning to fans and industry insiders alike, accusing guitarist Jake E. Lee of attempting to “cash out” on Black Sabbath’s monumental Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham.

According to Sharon, Jake E. Lee—best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne in the early 1980s—recently pushed aggressively for a financial cut tied to the landmark Black Sabbath reunion event. The concert, which marked a highly emotional full-circle moment for both the band and fans, was meant to honor Black Sabbath’s legacy, not line pockets, Sharon insists.

“He’s Not Doing It for the Right Reasons”

“I’ve been quiet for too long about certain people,” Sharon said in her no-holds-barred statement. “Jake E. Lee probably does not have Black Sabbath at heart. He’s a gold digger, plain and simple.”

Sharon revealed that Lee approached organizers with demands for a substantial payout in exchange for his participation in the concert’s tribute events and merchandise deals. She claims his focus wasn’t on celebrating the band’s journey or giving back to the fans, but solely on financial gain.

“It wasn’t about the music for him,” she said. “It wasn’t about honoring the legacy or showing respect to the fans who’ve supported Black Sabbath for over fifty years. It was about cashing in. And that disgusts me.”

The “Back to the Beginning” Concert: A Night for Legacy, Not Profit

The Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham was widely seen as a historic moment in rock history. The show celebrated the city where Black Sabbath’s dark, heavy sound was born, bringing closure to the band’s career on their home turf. For Ozzy and Sharon, it was an emotional, deeply personal farewell to an era.

Sharon stressed that the event wasn’t designed for profits—but as a gift to loyal fans around the world.

“We weren’t thinking about dollars and cents when we planned that concert,” Sharon explained. “Ozzy was coming back to Birmingham to pay tribute to where it all started. It was supposed to be about gratitude, about a full-circle moment. Not about padding someone’s bank account.”

Jake E. Lee’s Recent Moves Raise Eyebrows

Jake E. Lee, who famously replaced Randy Rhoads as Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist in the early 1980s and played on albums like Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, has had a complicated relationship with the Osbourne camp over the decades.

While Lee’s guitar work earned praise during his stint with Ozzy, Sharon has always maintained that their professional relationship was fraught with tension, especially around money.

“Jake’s always been about himself,” Sharon continued. “I’m not saying he’s not talented—he is—but when money enters the room, his priorities change fast.”

Recently, Lee appeared in several interviews where he discussed his absence from Black Sabbath-related projects. In some of these discussions, he openly questioned why he wasn’t invited to participate in the Back to the Beginning event. Now, Sharon says those interviews were nothing more than smoke and mirrors to mask his real intent—money.

“This Is My Fair Warning”

Sharon didn’t mince words about the potential fallout from her comments.

“I know some people will be angry that I’m calling him out,” she admitted. “But I’ve built my life and career on being honest. This is my fair warning to everyone—Jake E. Lee does not care about Black Sabbath’s legacy. He cares about his wallet.”

Sharon’s words come as tensions between legacy artists and newer business models in the music industry continue to rise. With reunion tours, tribute concerts, and streaming rights generating millions, disputes over money and credit are increasingly common.

Still, Sharon stands firm: “There’s a time and place to talk money—but not when it comes to honoring something sacred like Black Sabbath’s beginnings.”

Fan Reactions: Divided, But Supportive of Sharon

Unsurprisingly, Sharon’s comments have divided fans across the rock world. Some applauded her blunt honesty.

“Sharon’s always protected the band’s legacy,” one fan wrote on social media. “If she says Jake’s after money, I believe her. She’s been there since day one.”

Others questioned whether airing such disputes publicly was necessary.

“Maybe this should’ve been handled behind closed doors,” another fan commented. “I respect Sharon, but these arguments don’t do the legacy any favors.”

Still, many agreed with her overall message: Black Sabbath’s farewell shouldn’t have been overshadowed by money grabs.

Jake E. Lee Yet to Respond

As of this writing, Jake E. Lee has not issued a response to Sharon Osbourne’s accusations. Whether he will address the controversy remains to be seen.

However, Sharon appears unbothered by potential backlash.

“I’ve said my piece,” she concluded. “Fans deserve the truth, and Ozzy’s legacy deserves to be protected—from everyone, even former bandmates who think they can exploit it.”

The Last Word

Sharon Osbourne’s latest statement has once again shown why she remains one of the most fiercely protective figures in rock history. Whether fans agree with her methods or not, one thing is clear—when it comes to Black Sabbath, she refuses to let anything or anyone tarnish its legacy.

And as for Jake E. Lee? The ball is now in his court.