Alan Osmond, the eldest member of The Osmonds, has passed away at 76, his family announced in a statement. He had been living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) since the 1980s. Now, his brother, Merrill Osmond, has revealed Alan’s promise on his deathbed.
A spokesperson for the Osmond family confirmed that Alan Osmond, the eldest of the siblings in the famous music group The Osmonds, passed away on Monday night, at the age of 76. He died with his wife, Suzanne, and his eight children by his side.
Alan Osmond was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1987. After the diagnosis, he only made a few appearances.
“His positive outlook was an inspiration to many, and he donated much of his time speaking at MS events, encouraging individuals like himself on how to mentally and physically deal with the advancement and treatment of the disease,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Born in Ogden, Utah, in June 1949, Alan and his three younger brothers, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, started a group and began singing in 1958. Eventually, they moved to California to pursue a career in the music business.
After beginning their career at Disneyland, they were discovered by Andy Williams’ father. It led to a seven-year “residency” as singers on The Andy Williams Show. Later, their younger brothers, Donny and Jimmy, joined them, and The Osmonds became one of the biggest pop groups in U.S. history.
Alan Osmond’s promise on his deathbed, revealed by his brother Merrill
They peaked in the first part of the 1970s, releasing hits such as Love Me for a Reason, Crazy Horse, and One Bad Apple. Later, they transitioned to television and, joined by their sister, Marie, starred on the show Donny & Marie.
Alan Osmond’s brother, Merrill, has now taken to Facebook to share a tribute to his late brother. In the post, he also revealed the last words Alan ever said to him-
“My dear friends, Two days before my brother, Alan, passed, I was blessed to sit quietly with him. We talked as brothers do, heart to heart,” Merrill Osmond wrote on Facebook.
“He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled. In a tender moment I will never forget, he leaned close and whispered something into my ear,” the Osmond brother continued. “He said, ‘Merrill, you and I worked side by side. We created, we produced, we directed… we gave our hearts to The Plan with Wayne. Please… do something with it. Let people know what we were trying to say.’ I want you to know, his request will be honored.”
“Before he passed, I whispered one request to him. I asked him, when he gets there… please give my son Troy a big hug for me. He looked at me and promised he would. And somehow… I believe that promise has already been kept,” Merrill wrote, referring to his son, Troy, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 33 following a heart attack.
Rest in peace, Alan Osmond. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Osmond family.
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