How many Osmond brothers are there? All about the band as founding member Wayne Osmond dies at 73

Wayne Osmond, the iconic music legend of the famous band, The Osmonds, passed away at 73 on January 1, 2025, at a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family confirmed this in a statement and wrote:

“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, 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."

Explaining the reason behind his death, his brothers, Merrill and Donny Osmond took to social media to pay him their tributes besides other members of the family. Merrill wrote in a Facebook post that “Wayne had a massive stroke.”

Overall, the Osmond family consisted of eight brothers and one sister. Six of them reportedly performed for decades, while the two oldest brothers, Virl and Tom, worked backstage due to hearing difficulties.

Some reports suggested that their sister Marie made several appearances with the band but later pursued a solo career. She went on to work with Donny on the show, Donny & Marie, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979.

According to a report in the Mirror, Wayne was the second-oldest member of the original Osmond Brothers and the fourth-oldest of the nine Osmond children. Here is everything you need to know about the band.

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When was The Osmonds formed? Exploring the details.

Reportedly, The Osmonds was formed in the early 1970s. Initially, the band was known as the Osmond Brothers which included only four brothers - Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay. The band was later joined by younger siblings Jimmy and Donny, and the group was later rebranded as The Osmonds.

According to the New York Post, Wayne was only six when he began his musical career along with his brothers - Alan, Merrill, and Jay. They sang at a barbershop quartet-style act in Ogden, Utah, in 1958.

They were noticed by singer and TV host, Andy Williams, in the 1960s when the group performed at Disneyland, who eventually booked them to appear on The Andy Williams Show.

In 1971, hitmaker, One Bad Apple marked the beginning of their rise to fame and glory as the song made it to the top list of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, as per a report in People magazine. 'Down by the Lazy River' and 'Crazy Horses' were among the other songs that gained popularity in Europe.

According to another report, the group disbanded in 1980 following a period of decline in their popularity. In the subsequent years, several members of the family including Donny, Jimmy, and Marie pursued solo careers.

As of Wayne’s passing in January 2025, his other siblings are very much alive, as per a report in Remind Magazine. Reportedly, the eldest brother, Virl Osmond, is 79 and has hearing difficulties. He has produced several films, including the 2001 TV movie Inside the Osmonds. Tom Osmond is 77. He too has hearing difficulties. He pursued a career in the U.S. Postal Service and retired in 2014.

Alan Osmond is 75. He co-wrote many of the songs for the band. In 1987, he stopped performing for the band after he was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis. Merrill Osmond, who is 71 has been involved in charity work and motivational speaking.

Jay Osmond is 69. He works as a live performer in Branson, Missouri. Donny Osmond is 67. He continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. He performs in solo shows and on television shows. Marie Osmond is 65. Like Donny, she continues to work in the industry. She joined forces with her brother Donny and they appeared together in Vegas from 2008 through 2019.

A few reports stated that Wayne married Kathlyn White in 1974 and they welcomed five children. In 1997, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and became nearly deaf as a result of the treatment. In 2012, due to a stroke, he was unable to play guitar.

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The recent passing of Wayne Osmond has left a deep void in the music industry.