Alan Osmond, Osmonds' eldest member, dies at 76 after MS battle
Alan Osmond, Osmonds' eldest member, dies at 76 after MS battle
The Osmonds’ guitarist and eldest member Alan Osmond dies at 76, following a long struggle with multiple sclerosis, leaving a lasting mark on 70s pop.
Alan Osmond has died at the age of 76, surrounded by his wife and eight sons in his home city of Orem. The guitarist was the oldest member of The Osmonds, the beloved family band that burst onto the scene in the 1970s and shaped a generation of pop music. His passing marks the end of an era for a group known for its wholesome image and chart-topping hits.
Osmond first performed on The Andy Williams Show at just 12 years old, as part of a quartet with his younger brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay. Over the years, the lineup evolved with Donny and Jimmy joining later, helping the Osmonds become teen heartthrobs of the era and contributing to enduring songs like One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses and Love Me for a Reason. The siblings continued performing together well into their 50th anniversary year in 2007, when Alan and Wayne retired due to health issues. Wayne had died the previous January at 73.
The family obituary notes that Alan had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about forty years ago, a struggle that ultimately led him to withdraw from performing. Tributes have poured in from fans online, celebrating a life spent entertaining generations and leaving a lasting legacy in the music world. He passed away with his wife Suzanne by his side and their eight sons nearby, a testament to the close-knit family that stood at the heart of the Osmonds’ journey.
Tributes and memories continue to pour in from across the fan community, commemorating a performer who helped define a generation of pop music and whose influence extends beyond the stage to a family whose name became a household staple in households around the world.
