Founding Member Of Legendary Band Passes Away
Wayne Osmond, brother of Donny and Marie Osmond and one of the trio of siblings who founded the Osmond Brothers, died on New Year’s Day at the age of 73.
The Osmond family confirmed Wayne’s death in a series of online statements, according to the New York Post. “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,” the family’s statement reads.
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Born in 1951, the second-oldest Wayne sang with his brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Jimmy, who together formed a successful group known as “The Osmonds.” The close-knit clan grew up in Ogden, Utah, a suburb less than 40 miles north of Salt Lake City. Other family and band members poured their hearts out in social media tributes for the first original member of the band to pass away.
“My heart is deeply saddened for the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love there is great grief as we part during our earthly journey,” Jay Osmond wrote. “What gives me joy is to know that my brother ‘Wings’ has earned his wings and I can only imagine the heights he is soaring right now.”
KTVX reported that Wayne Osmond died of a “massive stroke,” his brother Merrill said in his own statement. Thankfully, the family learned of the stroke with enough time to make it to the hospital and “was able to say [his] goodbyes.” A social media post reads, “My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave as an even greater saint than he came in. His departure from this earth will be a sad moment for some, but for those who are waiting for him on the other side, there will be a massive celebration beyond anything we can imagine.”
My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed.
Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist… pic.twitter.com/J0I2W2QwMG
— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) January 2, 2025
What began as a family-friendly quartet with local performances around Utah quickly blossomed into a supergroup of “teen-music idols” as the Osmonds hit it big. The group parlayed their success on the charts into the “Osmond Family Show” on TV, earning them a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were discovered by golden-age crooner Andy Williams while performing in Disneyland. They began singing on “The Andy Williams Show” throughout the 1960s before taking their music overseas on European legs of their tours. All eventually separated to pursue solo careers in music.
According to the Walk of Fame, the deeply religious cohort said they performed to raise money for their siblings Virl and Tom, who were born deaf, and for their missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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