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
Wow!! I don’t understand the hatred towards Jake, a fantastic guitarist!! But I also don’t understand great guitarists being so cuckoo!! Between Jake quitting (again), Ritchie Blackmore playing medieval opera (or whatever he calls it), or Sykes not being able to work on a project beyond the initial announcement, these guys have more drama than NFL wide receivers…hers hoping Jake doesn’t flake and finds the right lead singer….
John’s album is done and he is mastering it in 2 weeks FYI
f you milkman. u know quite a bit about taco bell.
Hey, how about a little respect. My name is Milkmoney not Milkman. Get it right and watch your language. I’m no asshole and I’m no idiot and your words are very hurtful. Jake E. Lee sucks and can’t make it as a professional guitarist and that’s a fact. Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin are shit albums and Wylde is a far superior guitarist to Lee. That is a fact. How dare you people criticize Milkmoney. You don’t know me. That jerk Richman constantly says offensive shit and you all give him a pass. I don’t need this shit from you people. Get it right or I’m going home. Hey Cramer, check yourself before you check another. You are wrong man.
Jake is pretty easy going. If He wants to retire do be it. Free country. He’s a killer guitar player. He made a impact in my lead guitar styles. We’re very similar. I wish him nothing but the best whatever he decides. Great man and talent.
I certainly respect Jake if he wants to disappear into the sunset. A lot of his interviews I find…odd. There’s this thing with him that he thinks he won’t be missed. That’s bullshit. People have been fans of his playing since BATM and have been clamoring for him to re-appear for 20 years+. I think he’s really out of touch in that respect. Is it depression? Is it low self-esteem? I don’t know. It just seems strange to me. At the same time, the rock-n-roll lifestyle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, by any means. And I can certainly understand why he’d rather stay home than deal with all of the music box crap again.
Regardless, I hope he continues blessing the world with his music for years to come. We love you, Jake and your playing. Please keep the train rolling!
I loved that album. The guy can still play and people are missing out not supporting his new project. However, if he doesn’t want to tour and record anymore that is certainly his business. The music industry hasn’t been real kind to him. I believe Rock Candy Records reissued the first two Badlands albums a few years ago. If you haven’t heard them in a while (many never heard the second one) you need to check them out.