Wayne Osmond, Founding Member of The Osmonds Band, Dies at 73

Wayne Osmond, a founding member of the popular family band The Osmonds, passed away at the age of 73. The band, known for their string of hits in the 1970s, included Wayne as both a singer and guitarist. He co-wrote many of their iconic songs, such as Crazy Horses, Goin' Home, and Let Me In.

Wayne's brother Donny shared a heartfelt tribute, saying, "Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and loved by everyone." Merrill Osmond, another brother, called him "a genius in his ability to write music," noting that Wayne's work brought people closer to God and that he was a man of deep humility, kindness, and unconditional love. The Osmond brothers revealed that Wayne died following a stroke.

Born in August 1951 in Ogden, Utah, Wayne was the fourth oldest of nine children raised in a Mormon household. His early musical career began with a barbershop quartet alongside brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay. By 1961, the group was performing regularly at Disneyland and made their TV debut on The Andy Williams Show a year later. Their flawless performances earned them the nickname "one-take Osmonds."

In 1963, their younger sibling Donny joined the group, and they expanded their sound to include more pop songs. Their early singles did not perform well, but after the success of the Jackson 5, MGM Records signed them. The band recorded One Bad Apple (Don't Spoil the Whole Bunch), a song originally intended for the Jacksons, which became a massive hit.

Wayne Osmond

The song topped the US charts for five weeks in 1971, propelling the Osmonds to stardom.

Their success in the early 1970s was comparable to The Beatles, with fans lining up at airports to catch a glimpse of the band. At Heathrow in 1973, 10,000 fans gathered to see them, causing a balcony to collapse and injuring several people in the chaos. Despite the fan fervor, the band's popularity began to wane by the mid-1970s. Meanwhile, Donny and Marie Osmond’s TV variety show became a hit, which led the band to take a hiatus. By 1980, The Osmonds officially disbanded, though they reunited for tours and events in the following decades.

Wayne faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. As a child, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which led to cognitive difficulties. By 1994, he noticed the effects worsening, including issues with his saxophone playing and sudden physical weakness on stage. Surgery and cancer treatments caused significant hearing loss, which persisted. Wayne also suffered a stroke in 2012.

In 2019, Wayne joined his brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay for their final TV performance on The Talk, where they performed The Last Chapter, a song written for their fans. Marie Osmond, who presented the show, joined them afterward, offering a tribute to the group’s hard work and achievements.

In retirement, Wayne enjoyed hobbies such as fly fishing and gardening. He maintained a positive outlook on life, often finding joy in simple activities like tending to his yard. He once said in an interview, "I turn my hearing aids off, deaf as a doorknob, tune everything out, it's really joyful."

Wayne is survived by his wife, Kathlyn, and their five children: Amy, Steven, Gregory, Sarah, and Michelle. He is also survived by his eight siblings: Virl, Tom, Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, and Jimmy.