Wayne Osmond, the second eldest member of the singing group The Osmond Brothers, has passed away. He was 73 years old.
The baritone-voiced singer and guitarist, the fourth oldest of the Osmonds’ nine children and the older brother of the famous duo Donny and Marie Osmond, spoke Wednesday, surrounded by his wife and five children. “He passed away peacefully,” his daughter Amy Osmond Cook announced Thursday. in a statement posted on Facebook. The family also launched a celebration of life page on the platform in memory of the late musician.
“His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter has touched the lives of many people around the world. , and wants everyone to know that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly,” his daughter’s statement said.
Osmond’s brother, Donny Osmond, confirmed Thursday that he died of a stroke.
The “Donnie & Marie” star and Las Vegas headliner wrote on Instagram that he was “so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed away.”
“Wayne brought so much light, laughter and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone,” Donny added. “I believe I speak on behalf of all my siblings when I say we are lucky to have Wayne as a brother, even though we are separated in this life. We know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to be with you forever. I love you, Wayne.
Wayne Osmond was born Melvin Wayne Osmond on August 28, 1951 in Ogden and married Kathryn White in 1974. The multi-instrumentalist underwent surgery for a brain tumor in 1997, but suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him unable to play the guitar. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he is undergoing treatment for cancer. However, he famously reunited with his siblings to sing in 2019 to celebrate his sister Marie’s 60th birthday.
Representatives for Marie Osmond did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment Thursday.
(Isaac Brecken/Associated Press)
Brother Merrill Osmond said on Facebook that Wayne Osmond recently suffered a “severe stroke” and is being treated at a Salt Lake City hospital. Wayne said he had “endured a lot” and “give it his all” and credited his brother with being “genius in his ability to write music” and “touching the hearts of millions of people and bringing them closer to God.” praised.
“My brother was a saint before he was born, and he will leave this world an even greater saint than he was when he entered,” Meryl Osmond wrote on Facebook Thursday. “I never knew a more humble man. A man with no malice at all. A man who forgave quickly and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he met.
“His departure will be a sad moment for some, but for those waiting for him on the other side of the world, it will be a celebration beyond our wildest imagination. “Deaf,” he added.
Wayne’s brother Jay Osmond also said Thursday that he was “deeply saddened” by his death, saying “a true legend has left this earth.”
“It is said that where there is great love, there is great sorrow at separation on earthly journeys.Throughout my life, I have felt closest to Wayne among my brothers. He has been my roommate and best friend for decades,” he wrote on Facebook.
Jay Osmond said when he visited his brother last week, Wayne Osmond was sad about not being able to fly and that “flying brought peace.”
“What gives me joy is knowing that my brother ‘Wings’ has gotten his wings. I can only imagine how high he is flying now. Him and my dad and mom. It must have been a great reunion!” he said.
George Osmond, the family patriarch who launched his children’s showbiz careers in the late 1950s, died in 2007. He was predeceased by his wife Olive Osmond in 2004.
The couple passed on their affinity for music (George as a singer and Olive as a saxophonist) to their children and formed the Osmond Brothers troupe with their sons Alan, Wayne, and Jay Osmond. (The couple’s two oldest sons, Var and Tom, have degenerative hearing loss that affects speech.) As a child, George taught a quartet how to sing in four-part harmony and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. performed for the congregation. Located in Ogden, Utah. In the late 1950s, he also performed at trade shows and amusement parks.
(NBCUniversal, via Getty Images)
In 1962, the family went to Los Angeles to audition for “The Lawrence Welk Show,” but they were unsuccessful. George Osmond took his family to Disneyland as a consolation. The boys were dressed similarly, and a barbershop quartet that was playing on Main Street attracted attention. They were asked to complete the numbers in groups. In the end, the performance lasted over an hour. According to D23, the Osmonds were then taken to Disneyland’s entertainment office, where they signed their first professional contracts.
While they were performing at Disneyland, singer Andy Williams’ father discovered them and recommended the group to his son, and the Osmond Brothers ended up appearing on the network television show “The Andy Williams Show” for five years. It was decided to be broadcast.
The group added youngest brother Donny Osmond in 1963, changed their name to the Osmonds, and appeared on “The Jerry Lewis Show” before signing with a record label. According to the Associated Press, they recorded 34 gold and platinum records in the 1960s and ’70s, including 1971’s No. 1 hit “One Bad Apple (Don’t Spoil the Whole Bunch).” It is said that he created it. Their other Billboard Hot 100 hits include “Down by the Lazy River,” “Yo-Yo,” “Love Me for a Reason,” and “Crazy Horses.”
Donnie and his sister Marie also achieved great success in music and television, performing separately and as a duo. Wayne was a frequent guest and occasional producer on the variety show “Donnie and Marie,” which aired from 1975 to 1979.
