Wayne Osmond, the second oldest brother of the Osmond Brothers singing group, has died. He was 73 years old.
The baritone-voiced singer and guitarist, who was the fourth oldest of Osmond's nine children and the older brother of the famous duo Donny and Marie Osmond, “passed away peacefully” Wednesday surrounded by his wife and five children, his daughter said Thursday. Amy Osmond Cook. in a statement posted on Facebook. The family also launched a celebration of life page on the platform to commemorate the late musician.
“His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter has touched the lives of many people around the world. He would like 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,” his daughter’s statement read.
Osmond's younger brother, Donny Osmond, confirmed Thursday that he died from a stroke.
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before his passing,” the “Donny & Marie” star and Las Vegas headliner wrote on Instagram.
“Wayne brought so much light, laughter and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. “He was the ultimate optimist and everyone loved him,” Donny added. “I'm sure I speak for each of us brothers when I say we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother. Although we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity. I love you, Wayne.”
Wayne Osmond, born Melvin Wayne Osmond in Ogden on August 28, 1951, married Kathlyn White in 1974. The multi-instrumentalist underwent surgery for a brain tumor in 1997, suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him unable to play guitar and was also treated for cancer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. But he reunited with his siblings in 2019 to sing with them at his sister Marie's 60th birthday.
Representatives for Marie Osmond did not immediately respond Thursday to The Times' requests for comment.
(Isaac Brekken / Associated Press)
Brother Merrill Osmond said on Facebook that Wayne Osmond recently suffered “a massive stroke” and was being treated at a Salt Lake City hospital. Wayne “endured a lot” and “gave his all,” he said, praising his brother's “genius in his ability to write music” and “capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”
“My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave an even greater saint than he came,” Merrill Osmond wrote Thursday on Facebook. “I have never met a man who had more humility. A man without any cunning. An individual who was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he met.
“His departure from this earth will be a sad moment for some, but for those who wait for him on the other side, there will be a massive celebration beyond anything we can imagine,” he added.
Wayne's younger brother, Jay Osmond, also said Thursday that he was “deeply saddened” by the death and that “a true legend has left the Earth.”
“It is said that where there is great love there is great pain as we part during our earthly journey. Throughout my life, I have always felt more connected to Wayne than all of my siblings. “He was my roommate and my confidant for decades,” he wrote on Facebook.
Jay Osmond said that when he visited his brother last week, Wayne Osmond was sad because he could no longer fly a plane and that “flying brought him peace.”
“What gives me joy is knowing that my brother 'Wings' has earned his wings and I can only imagine the heights he is reaching right now. The reunion he must have had with father and mother, I am sure, was spectacular!” said.
Family patriarch George Osmond, a soldier who launched his sons' careers in entertainment in the late 1950s, died in 2007. His wife, Olive Osmond, predeceased him in 2004.
Both husband and wife passed on their affinity for music (George's as a singer and Olive's as a saxophonist) to their children and formed the Osmond Brothers company with their sons Alan, Wayne and Jay Osmond. (The couple's two oldest children, Virl and Tom, have degenerative hearing loss that affected their speech.) George taught the quartet how to sing four-part harmonies as children, and they performed for his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation. in Ogden, Utah. They also performed at fairs and amusement parks in the late 1950s.
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The family headed to Los Angeles in 1962 to audition for “The Lawrence Welk Show,” but didn't get the gig. As consolation, George Osmond took the family to Disneyland. The boys were dressed alike and the barber quartet performing on Main Street took notice. They were asked to do a number with the group; The performance ended up lasting more than an hour. According to D23, the Osmonds were taken to Disneyland's entertainment office, where they signed their first professional contract.
While they were performing at Disneyland, singer Andy Williams' father saw them and recommended the group to his son, which eventually led to the Osmond brothers booking a five-year television run on “The Andy Williams Show.”
The group added his younger brother, Donny Osmond, in 1963, changed its name to the Osmonds and appeared on “The Jerry Lewis Show” before signing with a record label. They produced 34 gold and platinum records in the 1960s and '70s, according to the Associated Press, including the 1971 hit “One Bad Apple (Don't Spoil the Whole Bunch).” Her other Billboard Hot 100 hits include “Down by the Lazy River,” “Yo-Yo,” “Love Me for a Reason” and “Crazy Horses.”
Donny and his younger sister Marie also performed separately and as a duo with much success in music and television. Wayne made frequent appearances on the variety show “Donny and Marie,” which ran from 1975 to 1979 and which he also occasionally produced.
