Jakey Lou Williams was born and raised in West Virginia, USA. His Japanese born mother and his US Naval officer father were constantly on the move. Eventually settling in San Diego, the Williams family put their roots down. Jake and his sister took to the California culture and lifestyle as if born into it. Jake’s mother, recognizing that her son had tremendous musical talent, encouraged Jake to learn classical piano at an early age. However, his sister was instrumental in showing Jake that a world beyond classical music existed. She played Jake her favorite hard rock artists like Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Soon Jake had switched to guitar as his instrument of choice and started on his road to becoming the legend that he is now. Unfortunately, his mentor and sister passed away in a motorcycle accident. But her influence was already established in her kid brother Jake.

During high school, he formed a band called Teaser changing his name to Jake E Lee. The band developed a large following in the Southern California area. Jake caught the eye of guitarist and good friend Warren DiMartini, and soon DiMartini was asking Jake for lessons. He also caught the eye of Stephen Pearcy the lead singer of a San Diego band called Mickey Rat. Pearcy asked Jake to join his band as lead guitarist, and he accepted. They changed the band’s name to Ratt, moved to L.A. and began playing the L.A. club circuit. The band’s established a huge fan base and much acclaim followed. However, Jake decided that Ratt didn’t fit the style of the music he wanted to play and decided to leave the group. DiMartini replaced him on Jake’s recommendation.

Jake played a few shows as lead guitarist of Rough Cutt, until Ronnie James Dio discovered his incredible talents. They planned to work together until Ozzy Osbourne interrupted them. He asked Jake to audition for his band following the sad passing of Randy Rhoads. Jake knew that Randy’s shoes were hard to fill, but he believed he was able to fill them. Ozzy auditioned around 500 other guitarists from around the world, eventually choosing Jake to fill the void of Randy Rhoads. Jake flew to England for rehearsal, and then went on tour with the legendary madman Ozzy Osbourne.

For the next four years, Jake recorded, wrote and toured with Ozzy. They released “Bark at the Moon”, which eventually went multi-platinum, and quickly quieted critics who said Rhoads could never be replaced. The “Ultimate Sin” album followed, which was another huge success for Ozzy. Osbourne, at the time was going through his well-documented drug and alcohol periods, and during a rehearsal fired Jake in the middle of one of his rages. Contrary to common belief, however, Ozzy and Jake remain good friends to this day. Ozzy has recently talked to Jake about a possible reunion, although Jake has repeatedly turned him down.

After the Ozzy Osbourne madness, Jake decided to take a well-earned break. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and daughter. As soon as word spread that Jake had left Ozzy’s band, the phone calls came in fast and furious. Nothing interested Jake, however, until he received a phone call from ex-Black Sabbath lead singer Ray Gillen. Gillen was hoping to form a blues-based metal band with Lee, and Lee responded. Together, they recruited bassist Greg Chaisson and drummer Eric Singer, and formed Badlands.

Badlands released their first album in 1989, self-titled “Badlands”. It was a mix of blues and hard rock, powered by hard-driving guitar riffs, receiving amazing critical acclaim as well as fantastic sales. The band toured worldwide to support the album, and followed it up with “Voodoo Highway”. This album was an even deeper dive into the blues, and again received much acclaim from critics. However, due to health issues, Ray left Badlands, and was replaced by John West. This incarnation proved not to be one that Jake wanted and Badlands disbanded. Unfortunately, Ray Gillen would eventually pass away due to complications caused by AIDS. In the year 2000, however, “Dusk” was released, which was recorded live in earlier sessions with Ray Gillen.

The passing of his friend Ray as well personal issues persuaded Jake to move away from the scene for a while. During this period of reflection, he was invited to play on many albums but only now has decided to re-launch his career.

Working with Kevin Churko and Ron Mancuso in Las Vegas, Jake E Lee’s spectacular new band ‘Red Dragon Cartel’ has recorded its’ eponymous first album for release on Frontiers Records in early 2014. The band features Darren Smith on lead vocals, Jonus Fairley on drums, Ron Mancuso on Bass and of course Jake E Lee on lead guitar. The album also features guest appearances from Robin Zander of ‘Cheap Trick’, Maria Brink from ‘In this Moment’ and many other all star musicians who appear on this album.

This amazing virtuoso guitarist with his new band will once again grace the rock world with his fire burning even brighter. Get ready for Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel to blast your head off in 2014.

Dark Trilogy is an Instrumental Project out of Northern Indiana. Formed in 2009. The Band consists of Joe Feingold – Guitar, Clint Pagel – Bass , Keith Kuhns – Drums.

Thunder Driver was formed in the fall of 2004 in the quiet northeast Chicago suburb of Zion IL. Raised on the influences of KISS, AC/DC, and Motorhead, this band is anything but quiet as their midwest roots would suggest. Their goal from the start was the to turn modern music on it’s ear and give the audience the band, songs, and performance they always deserve. Originally a power trio for the first five years, they decided another guitar was needed to push the band over the top. In 2011 a second guitar player named Danny Fitz was added to the fold to fill out the sound and give them the dominant sound they have today. Now with full speed ahead the band is a four piece rock n’ roll juggerrnaut that strives to capture the true essence of what music is all about. Being true to the music while putting on a great, high energy live show. Thunder Driver flaunts a twin guitar attack with blistering dual solos and a pounding backbeat that satisfies every rock fan from young to old.

For the past six years Thunder Driver has played with many great artists such as the Chicago doom metal pioneers Trouble, (Century Media Records) Rival, (Metal Blade Records) and The Last Vegas, (Eleven Seven Music) along with many popular venues including The Double Door, Durty Nellies, as well as many other locations across the country.

In the fall of 2010, Thunder Driver released their first full length album “Atomic Rock”. The album is comprised of 15 tracks that keep you hooked from the first guitar chord to the last symbol crash. In the spring of 2011 and on the heels of releasing their album, the band signed a distribution deal with Retrospect Records, out of Las Vegas, Nevada to help get their name and product out to a worldwide audience as well as releasing the album on ITunes, and Amazon.com with digital downloads newly available. They hope that all who hear it will join them in ushering in the new era of rock n’ roll, and keep the dream of true music alive for future generations.

This is Thunder Driver!