NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Alan Osmond, the eldest member of the chart-topping family act The Osmonds, died Monday after decades with multiple sclerosis. He was 76.
According to a family spokesperson, Alan’s wife, Suzanne Osmond, and their eight sons were with him at his home in at the time of his death. Prior to his passing, Alan used a wheelchair and spent a week in intensive care before returning home Thursday on hospice.
A talented songwriter and performer, Alan Osmond helped write some of the Osmond Brothers’ biggest hits, including 鈥淥ne Bad Apple,鈥� 鈥淐razy Horses鈥� and 鈥淎re You Up There?鈥�
Born in Ogden, Utah, on June 22, 1949 and raised in a Mormon household, Alan Osmond’s storied musical career began in the 1950s, when he and his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay formed a barbershop quartet. He was the oldest of the performing group and the third oldest of his siblings.
The brothers worked the state fair circuit in Utah until a visit to Disneyland led to a television debut on 鈥淒isney After Dark鈥� in 1962.
The group became regulars on 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鈥檚 hit television show starring his brother and sister.
The original Osmond Brothers 鈥� Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay 鈥� returned to the stage in 1982 as a country group and had a handful of hits, including 鈥淚 Think About Your Lovin.鈥欌�� At the time, Alan told The Associated Press he switched from recording rock to country music because it better fit their wholesome image.
鈥淐ountry music really is the backbone of America,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 just come and go. And we鈥檙e kind of flag-wavers. You find that in the country area, too.鈥�
In 1987, Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). It caused him to retire from performing with his family.
His brother at the age of 73 in 2025 after having a stroke.
鈥淗e is my hero,鈥� Doug Osmond, one of Alan’s sons, told The Associated Press over the phone Tuesday. 鈥淚鈥檝e never met anyone more positive in my life. I never once heard him complain, not once. He would say, 鈥業 may have MS, but MS does not have me.鈥� That was his motto and he always was worried about everyone else. … Family always took priority and his faith was in everything he did.鈥�
In terms of his musical accomplishments, Doug recalled witnessing other famous musicians gush over his father. 鈥淚 saw that with Steven Tyler, I saw that with Brad Paisley. I saw that with Justin Timberlake and Donnie Wahlberg,” he said. 鈥淭hey all knew of his genius and ability.”
In a statement on social media Tuesday, called Alan Osmond his 鈥減rotector鈥� and 鈥済uide,鈥� saying he was 鈥渢he one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.鈥�
Merrill Osmond also paid tribute in a social media post, explaining that he saw his ailing brother two days prior.
鈥淲e talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle 鈥� and then he smiled,鈥� he wrote on Facebook. 鈥淚 need you to know this 鈥� he has not left me. I have felt him. I have felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going 鈥� to keep building faith 鈥� to keep sharing light.鈥�
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 and Jimmy;
Service plans are forthcoming.
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