Former Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands guitarist Jake E Lee might never be seen again after his new band Red Dragon Cartel complete their current touring duties.
He says he’s already resisting pressure to make a follow-up to this year’s debut album – unless he can do it on his own terms. And he’s vowed he’ll shut down the project if the moment feels right, adding that he doesn’t believe he’ll be missed.
Lee returned with Red Dragon Cartel after more than two decades away from the music business. Right now he’s enjoying every minute, but he knows how he’ll react if the situation changes.
He tells Sea Of Tranquility, “There’s an abundance of song ideas – but I’m not guaranteeing that there will be another album. I know the record company hopes there is and the band hopes there is. I just did this as a last hurrah, to see what it felt like to be back out. I’ve had a lot of fun doing it. I miss my home life, though. I don’t need this; as long as it’s not tiresome or becomes too much of a job, I can see it going on.
Right now I don’t know. If making another record makes me happy then I’ll do it. If it becomes grueling, I’ll just stop – and feel reassured in knowing that there’s really not going to be a whole big world that’ll miss me. Some fans will, and if that’s what happens, I apologize to them.”
Lee admits he believed his days on the road were long behind him. “I don’t need the spotlight; I don’t need to be in the public eye,” he says. “My only reason for doing this at all is for the love of music and if this all goes away tomorrow. I’ll be okay.”
And while he’s enjoying Red Dragon Cartel’s current run of European shows – including a rescheduled set of UK dates – he states: “If it taxes me too much I can easily go back into retirement.”
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com
28 Responses
Hate to say this, but outisde of a couple of songs, the Red Dragon Cartel album was a huge letdown for me. Glad I bought it when it was five bucks on Amazon.
1st two Badlands were superb!
I think you were one of the very few who bought it, Medved.
Jake E. Lee is a good guy, but will be remembered for Bark At The Moon and his work with Ozzy.
When you split back to the states dumping gigs for “business reasons”, you can sure he was faced with something huge.
I would not say it was a huge let down. The songs that are good are really good. I love seeing Jake out there playing. I would love to hear a whole cd with songs that rock like Deceived!
Sorry Jake, your White Castle job doesn’t want back you either. Give those nice record company people back their red guitar and ask Taco Bell to give you a Sombrero. They serve breakfast now so their are some openings. Use that other guy Daisley for a reference. He supervises lunch hour and runs a tight ship. You both jam to and dream about So Tired and Lightning Strikes. Adios. No one cares and never will.
Your’re an idiot, but thanks for taking the time make sure EVERYONE knows that you’re an asshole to boot… Why “people” take time to type out things about others that they obviously hate boggles the mind. Jake (and Bob) have done more to contibute to the musical world then you ever will, and should I assume that you have videos posted somewhere that will impress us all? Do tell…idiot.