Jake E. Lee, renowned for his fiery guitar work, particularly during his time with Ozzy Osbourne, experienced a surprisingly short tenure with Ronnie James Dio’s band, DIO. Before solidifying his place in rock history, Lee’s guitar playing had already caught the attention of the legendary vocalist. Dio, whose wife at the time managed ROUGH CUTT, where Lee was briefly a guitarist, initially seemed keen on collaborating with him. Reports suggest that Jake E. Lee and Ronnie James Dio even penned songs together in 1982. However, this partnership was unexpectedly cut short when Ozzy Osbourne offered Lee the coveted guitarist position following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads. But what exactly led to Jake E. Lee’s departure from DIO after such a brief period?
In a recent interview on the “Cobras & Fire” podcast, Jake E. Lee shed light on the reasons behind his exit from DIO. According to Lee, the split stemmed from differing visions regarding the band’s musical direction, particularly concerning the guitar sound. Lee explained, “I think that [Ronnie] was looking for more of a European sort of sound.” He elaborated on the distinction between American and European heavy metal at the time, noting the significant influence of Van Halen on the American metal scene. Jake E. Lee’s guitar style, deeply rooted in the Eddie Van Halen school of playing, characterized by its Southern California flair and energetic rhythm work, might not have aligned with Dio’s desired sonic landscape. Lee himself acknowledged, “And I am more of that school — of Eddie Van Halen, Southern California… And I was more of that. Maybe a little busier on my rhythm stuff than Dio would have liked. And I think that was the main reason.” This suggests that the nuances of Jake E. Lee’s guitar playing, while celebrated for its virtuosity and dynamism, may have been perceived as stylistically divergent from the sound Dio envisioned for his band.
Wendy Dio, Ronnie James Dio’s wife, seemingly corroborated Jake E. Lee’s account in statements to Metal Hammer magazine. She indicated that Ronnie valued the “thought process” of British musicians and that this preference played a role in shaping the band’s lineup, particularly in the lead-up to the iconic “Holy Diver” album. This reinforces the idea that Dio was indeed aiming for a specific musical aesthetic, potentially more aligned with European sensibilities, which ultimately led to the parting of ways with Jake E. Lee.
Despite the short-lived collaboration with DIO, Jake E. Lee’s career flourished. He went on to record two seminal albums with Ozzy Osbourne, “Bark At The Moon” and “The Ultimate Sin”, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the world of rock guitar. More recently, Lee continues to create music with his band RED DRAGON CARTEL, who released their latest album, “Patina,” in November 2018, demonstrating his enduring passion and talent as a guitarist. While his time with DIO was brief, Jake E. Lee’s impact on the guitar world remains undeniable, and this early experience serves as an interesting footnote in the career of a guitar legend.
