Jake E. Lee shared a memorable story from his time as a guitarist in Ozzy Osbourne‘s band, highlighting a particularly humorous moment during their performance of the iconic Black Sabbath hit “War Pigs” in the year 1983. This incident took place shortly after Lee had joined Osbourne’s ensemble, and he was still adjusting to his new role, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about his position within the band.

During a recent interview with Guitar World, Lee recounted how Ozzy Osbourne‘s improvisational skills saved the day. As Ozzy accessed a humorous memory related to pigs, he turned a potentially awkward moment into an unforgettable experience, showcasing his unique ability to connect with his audience and bandmates alike. This anecdote stands out as one of the highlights of Lee’s three-year journey with the band.

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“As we were performing ‘War Pigs’, it was during the first verse when Ozzy glanced at me and mouthed, ‘What are the words?’” Lee explained. “Although I was confident I knew the lyrics, Ozzy’s unexpected question caught me off guard. I was momentarily stumped, which is something I didn’t anticipate happening on stage.

“Fearing I might say the wrong lyrics, I simply replied, ‘I don’t know…’ To my surprise, he began singing ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm!’” This spontaneous shift in performance brought a light-hearted twist to the serious tone of the song and engaged the audience in a unique way.

When asked how that moment had turned out, Lee enthusiastically remarked: “It worked out perfectly! It was sheer genius. He sang, ‘Old MacDonald haaaad a faaarm, he had some pigs with an oink oink here, and an oink oink therrrrrre!’” This playful rendition transformed the atmosphere, showcasing the fun side of live music and improvisation.

Lee vividly recalls looking out at the audience in the front row, where he could see their bewildered expressions, as if they were collectively thinking, ‘What the heck is happening?!’ This spontaneous moment not only highlighted Ozzy’s ability to improvise but also illustrated the unpredictable nature of live performances.

Experiencing the Joy of Playing Iconic Tony Iommi Riffs with Ozzy Osbourne

Lee, who recently participated in Black Sabbath‘s final show, expressed that joining Ozzy Osbourne‘s band was a dream realized, especially being able to perform the iconic riffs created by Tony Iommi. He reflected on the significance of this opportunity, stating, “It was a monumental moment for me. I saved up diligently to purchase a Gibson SG, which was a direct inspiration from Iommi. I was determined to capture that incredible sound that I admired so much.”

“To this day, Tony Iommi remains my greatest influence,” Lee added. “Whenever I’m trying to configure my gear to find the perfect sound, I always revert to playing ‘War Pigs.’ If I can replicate even a fraction of his sound from that track, I consider it a success.” This demonstrates Lee’s deep respect for Iommi’s musical contributions and his ongoing quest for excellence in his own guitar playing.