Legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, and Red Dragon Cartel, was shot multiple times early Tuesday morning in a Las Vegas street shooting. His management team has stated that he is still in stable condition in the intensive care unit of a Las Vegas hospital and that a complete recovery is anticipated.
Lee was out walking his dog in the early hours of October 15, when the shooting occurred. According to Las Vegas officials, the shooting was random. There are presently no public information regarding the event, which is being investigated by the authorities. Throughout his recuperation, the Lee family has asked for privacy.
After Randy Rhoads died in an aircraft accident, Ozzy Osbourne selected Lee as his guitarist, which led to Lee's rise to fame in the early 1980s. Lee collaborated with Osbourne on two albums, Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), which cemented his legacy in the rock era and featured his distinctive guitar playing.
The guitarist's previous health issues preceded this occurrence. In an interview with Tone-Talk earlier this month, Lee talked about his continuous battle with hand problems. After seeing a wrist expert, Lee's hand issues—which were first thought to be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome—were found to be the consequence of cartilage loss that left him with bone-on-bone contact. Lee has been going to physical therapy and getting cortisone shots to help with the discomfort. Instead of having surgery, he has decided to manage his pain and play with a modified style that depends more on elbow mobility. Despite these difficulties, Lee has stated that he is optimistic about performing again and that he intends to finish the delayed tour with Red Dragon Cartel.
In 2018, Lee's current band, Red Dragon Cartel, released their second album, Patina. The album marked a departure from the harsher vibe of their debut album, moving in the direction of a bluesy hard rock sound. Drummer Phil Varone, bassist Anthony Esposito, and singer Darren James Smith make up the band. Max Norman, a producer who has worked with bands like Megadeth and Ozzy Osbourne, also contributes to the music.
In order to keep performing, Lee actively manages his hand discomfort while concentrating on his musical profession. He said in a recent interview that he has been composing new music and is excited to tour in support of Patina despite the obstacles. He continues to demonstrate his commitment to his art as he looks for methods to modify his playing to account for his ailment.
The investigation is still ongoing, and Las Vegas police are handling the case as though it were a random act of violence. The music industry and Lee's admirers are hoping for a speedy recovery for him and honoring his family's desire for solitude.