The Musical Ensemble from School that Garnered Praise from Led Zeppelin

Ozzy Osbourne and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin endorsed the YouTube rendition of ‘Kashmir’ by the Louisville Leopard Percussionists.

Music instructor Diane Downs had no inkling that her music students would get the chance to perform for Ozzy Osbourne or that Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin would endorse their rendition of “Kashmir” on Facebook, stating “it’s too good not to share.”

The Louisville Leopard Percussionists, a music ensemble comprising students from second to 12th grade, originated from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1993, while searching for bulletin board paper in a school closet, Downs discovered a collection of musical instruments instead. Consequently, she proposed a concert to her students.

“Being second and third graders, they were fearless,” she recounted. “So they enthusiastically agreed to it!”

Their first performances took place at a PTA meeting and a nursing home. Subsequently, more invitations to showcase their talents came pouring in, leading the ensemble to stage performances across Louisville and eventually nationwide. 

In 2003, the group transitioned into a non-profit entity, extending the Leopard experience to more students beyond King Elementary. Three years later, HBO chronicled the group’s expedition to New York City to inaugurate the Chick Corea Trio in the movie The Leopards Take Manhattan.

The Leopards’ breakthrough came when their rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train gained viral popularity on YouTube.

“Unexpectedly, we received a contribution from Ozzy Osbourne to support our ensemble,” disclosed Downs.

A while later, they were invited to feature on the reality program Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour.

“Initially, some of the students were unfamiliar with him, so we provided some background, and now they know him,” she supplemented.

Subsequently, the ensemble’s rendition of Led Zeppelin’s song went viral on YouTube. Downs remarked that the video views surged from 6,000 to 6 million within a week. The students engaged in interviews with media outlets worldwide.

Although the students may not fully grasp the impact the ensemble had on their lives during their youth, Downs mentioned, “Alumni have returned to me and remarked, ‘I can’t believe I was part of that as a kid… I can’t believe that happened to me.”