JAKE E. Lee on surviving random Las Vegas shooting: “I am one lucky motherfucker”
17-10-2024
Jake E. Lee says that he is “doing surprisingly well” after being shot in Las Vegas.
The 67-year-old former OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist was hit three times in a shooting about 10 miles from the Las Vegas Strip early on Tuesday, October 15. He was later taken to a hospital’s intensive care unit, where he is fully conscious and “doing well,” Lee’s representative confirmed in a statement, adding that he’s “expected to fully recover.”
Former GUNS N’ ROSES and SIXX:A.M. guitarist D.J. Ashba, who also lives in Las Vegas, took to his Instagram Stories to share a text exchange between him and Jake. After Ashba wrote to Lee, “Please tell me you’re okay??” Jake responded, “Doing surprisingly well. I am one lucky mother fucker. Just make sure your bday bash is wheelchair accessible! Just jestin'” Ashba then replied: “So fn thankful you’re ok! Naha! U got it bro!”
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lee was in his driveway about to walk his dog at about 2:40 a.m. when he was shot in the forearm; in the back, with the bullet breaking a rib; and in the foot. None of the shots hit a vital organ. A neighbor heard the shots, hid his kids, grabbed a gun and called 911. Lee‘s dog was unharmed.
Lee‘s management said in a statement that police think the shooting “was completely random and occurred while Lee took his dog out for a walk in the early morning hours.”
“No further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time,” his management said.
The Las Vegas Police Department later released a statement in which they said: “Officers responded to a shooting incident in the 11000 block of Alora Street. Officers arrived and located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to the hospital. No arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.”
Lee, who was tapped by Ozzy Osbourne to replace the late Randy Rhoads in the singer’s solo band, played on two Ozzy records: 1983’s “Bark At The Moon” and 1986’s “The Ultimate Sin”.
Update on Jake E Lee. He was hit 3 times. He was hit in the chest , arm and foot. Bullets missed all major organs except lung. But he is doing well and expected to make a full recovery. This info direct from his manager who I just spoke with. Got very lucky thankfully!
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) October 15, 2024
In a statement to TMZ, Ozzy said: “It’s been 37 years since I’ve seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn’t take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him today. It’s just another senseless act of gun violence. I send my thoughts to him and his beautiful daughter, Jade. I just hope he’ll be OK.”
“Patina”, the second offering from Jake E. Lee‘s RED DRAGON CARTEL, was released in November 2018. The follow-up to RED DRAGON CARTEL‘s eponymous 2014 debut, “Patina” marked the group’s first release with drummer Phil Varone (SAIGON KICK, SKID ROW) and bassist Anthony Esposito. The band’s most recent lineup was rounded out by singer Darren James Smith.
RED DRAGON CARTEL‘s latest album was mixed by legendary producer Max Norman, who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE, MEGADETH, SAVATAGE and LOUDNESS, among others.
In addition to being the bassist for RED DRAGON CARTEL, Esposito co-produced the album alongside Lee.
“Patina” marked a change of style from the debut RED DRAGON CARTEL album, featuring a more bluesy hard rock direction as opposed to its predecessor’s heavier leanings.
Back in September 2015, RED DRAGON CARTEL was rejoined by Darren James Smith after a period of several months during which the band played shows with a number of other vocalists, including former JONES STREET frontman Shawn Crosby, Canadian singer Paul D’Eath (CITIZENS UNITE, MUSHROOM TRAIL), Chas West (Jason Bonham, LYNCH MOB, 3 LEGGED DOGG) and Michael Beck.
Lee, who was tapped by Ozzy Osbourne to replace the late Randy Rhoads in the singer’s solo band, played on two Ozzy records: 1983’s “Bark At The Moon” and 1986’s “The Ultimate Sin”.
Jake E. Lee is an official endorsement artist of Charvel Guitars.
Primed to steal the spotlight, the Jake E Lee Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS HT RW is wrapped in an iridescent Pearl White finish with black pickguard, black hardware and licensed Fender Strat headstock.
“When I was coming up in the ’80s, Charvel was the cool guitar to have,” says Lee. “40 years later, it still is.”
Lee blazed trails in the 1980s with RATT and ROUGH CUTT before landing his legendary gig as Ozzy‘s lead guitarist. His acclaimed career continued with BADLANDS and now RED DRAGON CARTEL, and Charvel has been there every step of the way. The iconic models that have always accompanied Lee in the studio and on the stage are among the most requested in the Charvel collection.
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