Watch a group of kids absolutely slay Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train' using xylophones
Even the Prince of Darkness himself was impressed.
This needs to be a ringtone.
For many of us, elementary music education consisted of banging out a painful rendition of “Hot Cross Buns” on a recorder. But for the kids of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, it looks a little more like rocking out to Ozzy Osbourne.
Thanks to Reddit, a 2012 clip has resurfaced showing the clearly gifted 4th to 6th graders using xylophones, drums, keyboards, and a single bass guitar to absolutely slay a cover of Osbourne’s 1980s hit “Crazy Train.” And let’s just say—the video is just as impressive as ever.
It’s not just that the kids were able to hit the notes with extreme proficiency—it’s the evident passion and joy put into their performance that really has people wowed.
“I love how they open with the chant and how jumpy and enthusiastic they are,” someone wrote on YouTube.
“I don't know whether to laugh or cry for joy. Someone hug that music director,” added another.
A new viewer even commented, “Seeing this for the first time in 2024. These talented kids would now be in their late teens, early twenties. It would be great to know if any continued in music! Maybe a couple are on Broadway or studying music in college.”
The clip got so popular during its original debut that Osbourne himself took notice, saying, “Myself, my whole family, and my fans all loved your rendition of 'Crazy Train.' Keep up the good work!” This eventually led to an opportunity for the kids to perform for Osbourne and his family in 2018.
Watch below:
The Louisville Leopard Percussionists, founded in 1993 by Diane Downs, in a non-profit organization that aims to provide a comprehensive music education to kids of diverse backgrounds not solely to learn instruments, but to “build creativity and self-confidence and teach life-long values of personal discipline, cooperation, leadership, responsibility, and community.”
Since their “Crazy Train” cover, the kiddos have had quite a few other equally badass viral hits, including songs by Led Zeppelin and My Morning Jacket. You can find those, and even more, on the organization’s YouTube page.
And if you’d like to donate to help the program create even more of these bops, click here.