Osmonds singer Wayne Osmond dies, aged 73

2 January 2025, 22:38

Wayne Osmond, singer of the Osmonds, has died aged 73 in Salt Lake City following a stroke, his brother Merrill has confirmed.

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility,” Merrill Osmond wrote on Facebook. “A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”

He added: “I will miss him tremendously. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of heavenly father‘s greatest sons.”

• The Osmonds reunite for final ever show to celebrate Marie's 60th birthday
• Donny Osmond surprises lifelong fan Shirley on her 60th birthday in heartwarming video
• Gold Meets... Jay Osmond: Osmonds drummer talks family emotions, Elvis friendship and jamming with Chuck Berry

In a statement, the Osmond family said: “His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”

After their discovery at Disneyland, the Osmond Brothers gained prominence on The Lawrence Welk Show and The Andy Williams Show, later expanding to include younger brothers Donny and Jimmy. Wayne, a versatile musician proficient in guitar and bagpipes, primarily contributed backing vocals.

As the Osmonds, they achieved peak success in the 1970s, with 'One Bad Apple' topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1971. The group starred in an Osmond Brothers Special on CBS that year. Donny and Marie later hosted Donny & Marie (1976-1979), which became a Las Vegas mainstay in the 2010s.

Wayne faced significant health challenges, including brain tumour surgery (1997), a stroke (2012), and cancer treatment.

His musical journey began in 1958, singing in a barbershop quartet with brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay for their local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints congregation.

Merrill Osmond praised his brother's humility and forgiveness, while the family statement highlighted his legacy of "faith, music, love and laughter" and his belief that "families are forever."

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Kathlyn, their five children, and all eight siblings: Virl, Tom, Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, and Jimmy.