Osmond Family
The Osmond Family, often referred to simply as The Osmonds, are an American family entertainment group that consists of parents George Virl Osmond Sr. and Olive May Davis Osmond and their nine children - Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, and Jimmy. They are all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Patriarch George Osmond set his family on a course for musical stardom when he taught his children to sing barbershop harmony. Their natural talent was noticeable and they began singing at church functions and civic events in their native Ogden, Utah. At an appearance at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Walt Disney took interest in them. They appeared on a televised Disney special, where they were noticed by the father of singer Andy Williams. The first group, The Osmond Brothers, consisting of Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, became regulars on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969. In 1963, Donny became part of The Osmond Brothers. Later both Marie and Jimmy were introduced on the show. They became regulars on the Jerry Lewis Show in 1969. Meanwhile, they began touring Europe with Andy Williams.
Older brothers Virl and Tom have been known as the nonperforming Osmonds due to their hearing impairment. In fact, in their made-for-TV movie Inside the Osmonds, the Osmonds explain that they originally performed to earn money to support Virl and Tom in buying hearing aids as well as building a fund for all the children to serve missions for the Church.
The Osmond Brothers wanted to set aside their barber shop/variety show singing style and perform rock and roll. The transition was hard for their father, but the brothers became The Osmonds, landed a record contract with MGM, and hit the #1 spot with their single, "One Bad Apple," written by George Jackson. At first, Merrill was the lead singer but Donny eventually became a co-lead singer for the group and they continued to record and perform hits such as "Go Away Little Girl," "Puppy Love," "Yo-Yo," and "Sweet and Innocent." They also began writing their own songs and playing their own instruments. As their popularity waned, and the older brothers wanted to tour less, they eventually disbanded in 1980.
Donny became a solo artist. Sister Marie and younger brother Jimmy also had solo careers (Jimmy earned six gold records). Together, Donny and Marie had a #4 hit song, “I’m Leaving It Up to You,” that eventually led to The Donny & Marie Show, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. Donny and Marie have appeared in Broadway musicals separately. Each appeared on television’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay formed a country group and returned to using the name "The Osmond Brothers” and performed primarily in Branson, Missouri. Merrill, Jay, and Jimmy predominantly perform together; Alan performs less due to multiple sclerosis and Wayne had a brain tumor in 1997 and announced his retirement from performing.
The family continues to perform periodically together in reunion or anniversary shows, most notably during 2007–2008 when they toured Europe to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their career in show business. Their performance in Las Vegas was aired on PBS on March 10, 2008. Virl and Tom joined the family for the performance by signing two songs. Andy Williams made a surprise appearance on the show. They also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in a celebration of the anniversary. The tour culminated in a performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on July 26 and 27, 2008. They released an album, I Can’t Get There Without You, in September 2012 that includes the seven performing siblings and a tribute to Virl and Tom.
The Osmond Family still holds the record for achieving 11 gold and platinum awards in one year. The family has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2003). The Osmond Foundation, which eventually became the Children’s Miracle Network, raises fund to serve children’s hospital needs worldwide.
Alan Osmond’s eight sons have continued the Osmond Family tradition by performing as The Osmonds—Second Generation.
Olive Osmond passed away on May 9, 2004, and George Osmond passed away on November 6, 2007.
