by Mick the Ram

Wayne Osmond, one of the famous Osmond brothers from the band of the same name who were massive during the 1970’s, died on New Year’s Day at the age of 73.

The fourth oldest of nine children, but second oldest of the band and writer of many of their songs, had suffered with health problems for numerous years, surviving a stroke 12 years ago which left him unable to play the guitar any longer.  

The family are all practising Mormons and he alongside siblings Alan, Merrill and Jay formed a barbershop quartet back in 1958, before eventually finding fame after younger brother Donny joined the group in the sixties.

18 instruments

Wayne was the fourth oldest of the Osmond children, following behind Virl, 79, Tom, 77, and Alan, 75. Then came 71-year-old Merrill, Jay, 69, Donny, 67, Marie, 65, and Jimmy, 61.

Wayne started performing when he was six and learned to play an impressive 18 different instruments, including the bagpipes, the banjo and the clarinet, but he was most noted for his skill on the guitar.

Family statement

The family confirmed the sad news in an emotional statement shared on 2 January, reading: “A beloved husband and father, Wayne passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.”

Turning to his faith they continued: “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.”

Anniversary

His death tragically comes weeks after celebrating his 50th anniversary of marriage to Kath – a former Miss Utah – who he tied the knot with in December 1974.

The couple had five children: Amy, 48, Steven, 46, Gregory, 43, Sarah, 42, and Michele, 38.

Health problems

The musician and songwriter suffered a number of health problems during his lifetime, being diagnosed with a brain tumour as a child, which resulted in cognitive problems.

In 1994, he noticed that the condition was worsening. “I noticed I couldn’t play my saxophone any more because my head would start throbbing”.

Three years later he received more treatment (a 17-hour surgery) but it was the stroke he had in 2012, that more or less ended his career, leaving him unable to play his favourite instrument any more, which was a shattering blow.

Big break came with Andy Williams

The brothers’ (Wayne, Alan, Jay and Merrill) route to stardom came after they were discovered by Jay Emerson Williams, the father of Andy Williams, when harmonising at Disneyland in 1961.

They quickly became regulars on the singers’ show, and eventually became a commercial success signing up with MGM Records.

Almost a riot

The track: One Bad Apple (Don’t Spoil the Whole Bunch), topped the US singles chart for five weeks in 1971 establishing the band as a real chart presence and for a while, the brothers generated the same sort of hysterical excitement as The Beatles, the decade before.

When the band flew into Heathrow Airport in 1973, some 10,000 teenage fans packed the roof gardens at a nearby office block to witness their arrival. Part of the balcony railing and wall collapsed following a crowd surge, slightly injuring 18 women.

Then on their departure, hundreds of fans mobbed their limousine, with suggestions that they were quite fortunate to escape with their lives.

Brothers’ tribute

His brothers and bandmates paid their own tributes, with Donny writing on social media: “My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke; he brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

Jay said: “I always felt the most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings. What gives me joy is to know that my brother has earned his wings and I can only imagine the heights he is soaring right now.”

Merrill described his brother as “a saint” and “a genius in his ability to write music” who he believed captured the hearts of millions of people. He added: “I’ve never known a man that had more humility or an individual that was as quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”