Alan Osmond, Eldest Member of The Osmonds, Dies at 76

Alan Osmond, a foundational member of the iconic musical family The Osmonds, has died at the age of 76. The musician passed away on Monday (April 20), surrounded by his wife, Suzanne, and their eight sons, according to a family statement provided to Utah broadcaster KSL-TV. Alan had been living with multiple sclerosis since 1987.

Born into a family synonymous with musical excellence, Alan began his professional journey in 1958. He helped form a barbershop quartet alongside his brothers Wayne, Merrill, and Jay in their hometown of Ogden, Utah. The group’s trajectory shifted significantly in 1961 when they were discovered by Jay Emerson Williams, the father of Andy Williams, during a performance at Disneyland. This led to a long-standing tenure as regular performers on The Andy Williams Show.

Throughout the 1970s, the group achieved massive global success, selling over 77 million records. Their catalog includes enduring hits such as ‘Crazy Horses’, ‘Love Me For A Reason’, and ‘Let Me In’. Their influence was cemented by five UK top 10 singles and four UK top 10 albums.

Merrill Osmond paid a heartfelt tribute to his brother, stating: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my beloved brother, Alan Osmond. I was grateful to be with him shortly before he passed and to share a final meaningful moment together. Alan was a gifted creator, a man of faith, and a deeply loving soul whose life blessed many.”

Donny Osmond also shared a poignant reflection on his brother’s influence, posting an early photograph of the two of them. “Even back then, you can see that he had his arm around me, watching over me. That’s who he was. My protector. My guide. The one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine,” Donny wrote.

This is one of the earliest pictures I have of my brother Alan and me.
Even back then, you can see that he had his arm around me, watching over me. That’s who he was. My protector. My guide. The one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.
Alan… pic.twitter.com/LUs3Z9mgdO

— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) April 21, 2026

The family continued to perform together for decades until their 50th anniversary in 2007, when Alan and his brother Wayne retired due to health complications. Wayne passed away in January 2025 at the age of 73. In 2024, Alan released his memoir, One Way Ticket, which detailed his life in the music industry and his journey living with multiple sclerosis.