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Alan Osmond, the eldest of the famed musical group The Osmonds, passed away on Monday following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 76 years old.
A family representative confirmed that Alan was at home in Lehi, Utah, surrounded by his wife, Suzanne Osmond, and their eight sons at the time of his passing. Prior to his death, Alan had been using a wheelchair and had spent a week in intensive care before returning home on hospice care last Thursday.
Alan Osmond was not only a gifted performer but also a talented songwriter, contributing to some of the group’s most popular songs such as “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses,” and “Are You Up There?”
Born on June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, Alan’s remarkable journey in music began in the 1950s alongside his brothers Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, forming a barbershop quartet. Alan was the oldest performing member of the group and the third eldest among his siblings.
The Osmond Brothers initially performed at state fairs across Utah until an opportunity at Disneyland led to their television debut on “Disney After Dark” in 1962.
The group became regulars on “The Andy Williams Show,” where they made their name and forged their wholesome and peppy image, peaking as a quintet in the early 1970s, as younger brother Donny Osmond became the breakout star. In 1971, the Osmonds tallied nine gold records, surpassing single-year bests by Elvis and the Beatles.
In the mid-to-late 1970s, Alan became a principal producer on ABC’s hit television show “The Donny and Marie Show,” starring his brother and sister.
The original Osmond Brothers – Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay – returned to the stage in 1982 as a country group and had a handful of hits, including “I Think About Your Lovin.’” At the time, Alan told The Associated Press he switched from recording rock to country music because it better fit their wholesome image.
“Country music really is the backbone of America,” he said. “It doesn’t just come and go. And we’re kind of flag-wavers. You find that in the country area, too.”
In 1987, Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It caused him to retire from performing with his family.
His brother Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73 in 2025 after suffering a stroke.
In a statement on social media Tuesday, Donny Osmond called Alan Osmond his “protector” and “guide,” saying he was “the one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.”
Merrill Osmond also paid tribute in a social media post, explaining that he saw his ailing brother two days prior.
“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,” he wrote on Facebook. “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.”
Alan is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his eight sons, Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler; 30 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brothers Virl, Tom, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Jimmy and sister Marie.
Service plans are forthcoming.
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