Alan Osmond Dies: Co-Founder Of Hitmaking Vocal Group The Osmonds Was 76

Alan Osmond dead; Osmond BRothers — Alan Osmond in 1970 and with his brothers at top right in 1973Everett Collection

Alan Osmond, oldest brother of the famed singing and dancing sibling group The Osmonds, died Monday, April 20, at his home in Utah following a four-decade struggle with multiple sclerosis. He was 76.

Osmond’s brother and band mate Merrill Osmond announced the death in a Facebook post, writing in part, “My brother has now stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace. His life was not measured in years, but in love, sacrifice, and purpose. His creativity, his vision, and his deep understanding of the Savior’s teachings were simply part of who he was. He lived it. He felt it. He shared it. He wanted me to tell you how much he loved you, and I believe that with all my heart. He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you. He truly was a missionary. He truly was a saint.”

Read Merrill Osmond’s full tribute below.

Originally billed as the Osmond Brothers, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay – four of the nine Osmond children raised by father George Virl Osmond and mother Olive Mayon on an Ogden, Utah, farm as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – launched their singing career as a barbershop quartet in 1958. They sang in competitions, at Disneyland, and other venues before getting their big break on The Andy Williams Show, a popular variety series where the boys proved so popular they were made regular guests from 1962 to 1967.

During their time of the show, the four original members were joined by younger brother Donnie, whose youthful appeal and older-than-his-years vocal chops did for the Osmonds what Michael Jackson did for his brothers: Before long, the Osmond Brothers, soon known simply as The Osmonds, were international stars, teen idols and maker of hit records including such ’70s bubblegum staples as “One Bad Apple,” “Love Me for a Reason,” “Crazy Horses” and “Down by the Lazy River.”

In 1976 and through 1979, the Osmonds had, essentially, become a support group for brother Donny and sister Marie Osmond, with the latter two fronting the group on the popular weekly variety series Donny & Marie.

Still, Alan Osmond was crucial to the group’s success, serving, as the eldest brother, as a leader and producer. A singer and guitarist, Alan Osmond also wrote songs with brother Merrill.

After being diagnosed with MS 40 years ago, Osmond helped create the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, which according to ABC4 Utah, has raised over $2 billion for children’s hospitals. He also helped launch the One Heart Foundation to support orphan.

Osmond is survived by Suzanne, his wife of 51 years; sons Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex and Tyler; 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings. Brother Wayne Osmond died January 1, 2025, in Utah after a stroke at age 73.

Here is Merrill Osmond’s tribute to Alan:

“My dear friends,

Two days before my brother, Alan, passed, I was blessed to sit quietly with him. We talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled. In a tender moment I will never forget, he leaned close and whispered something into my ear. He said, “Merrill, you and I worked side by side. We created, we produced, we directed… we gave our hearts to The Plan with Wayne. Please… do something with it. Let people know what we were trying to say.” I want you to know, his request will be honored.

My brother has now stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace. His life was not measured in years, but in love, sacrifice, and purpose. His creativity, his vision, and his deep understanding of the Savior’s teachings were simply part of who he was. He lived it. He felt it. He shared it. He wanted me to tell you how much he loved you, and I believe that with all my heart. He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you. He truly was a missionary. He truly was a saint.

And I need you to know this… he has not left me. I have felt him. I have felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going… to keep building faith… to keep sharing light. His testimony is not gone, it lives on, and it will continue to be felt far beyond this life.

So please, don’t let your hearts be heavy. Don’t weep for him. Rejoice, knowing that your brother, your friend, your hero is no longer in pain. He is free. He is whole. He is home.

Before he passed, I whispered one request to him. I asked him, when he gets there… please give my son Troy a big hug for me. He looked at me and promised he would. And somehow… I believe that promise has already been kept.

You’re loved,
Merrill”

Alan Osmond Dies: Co-Founder Of Hitmaking Vocal Group The Osmonds Was 76

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