Following their emotional reunion during Ozzy Osbourne’s final show, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park in Birmingham, new rumors began to swirl online suggesting that guitarist Jake E. Lee might be returning to perform with a revived version of Black Sabbath. But both Lee and Osbourne have now spoken out—shutting down the speculation and setting the record straight.
The rumors sparked shortly after the show, where Lee joined Ozzy onstage for the first time in nearly 40 years to perform classics like “Bark at the Moon” and “Shot in the Dark.” Fans were quick to interpret the reunion as more than a one-night farewell. Some speculated that with Ozzy stepping away from live performance duties, Jake E. Lee could be part of a reimagined Sabbath lineup—perhaps in tribute shows or one-off appearances featuring surviving members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.
However, speaking to Rolling Stone UK in a post-show interview, Jake E. Lee dismissed the speculation with a smile. “It was an incredible night, something I’ll never forget,” he said. “But I’m not joining Black Sabbath. That chapter belongs to a different time, a different lineup. I respect the legacy too much to pretend otherwise.”
Ozzy Osbourne echoed the sentiment in a separate statement released by his management. “Jake is family to me, and I was honored to have him join me for my final show. But Sabbath is Sabbath. It’s sacred, and there are no plans for anyone to be replacing anyone,” Osbourne said. “I’m done with touring, and the Sabbath story ended the way it should have—with Tony, Geezer, and me.”
Still, the buzz surrounding Lee’s return to the stage remains high. Known for his inventive guitar work during Ozzy’s mid-’80s era, Lee’s live reunion sparked a wave of nostalgia and reminded fans of his pivotal but often underappreciated role in Osbourne’s solo career.
While Lee won’t be joining Black Sabbath, he hinted that he may be working on new music. “The fire is still there,” he said. “After that night with Ozzy, I feel inspired again. Maybe it’s time to put something new into the world.”
Fans may not see Jake E. Lee don the mantle of Black Sabbath guitarist, but the renewed friendship between him and Osbourne has already given the rock world a meaningful full-circle moment. For now, both legends are content closing the door on one chapter—while leaving it slightly ajar for whatever may come next.
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