Following a forty-year battle with multiple sclerosis, the oldest member of The Osmonds, Alan Osmond passed away on Monday (4.20,) at the age of 76.
In a statement to local Salt Lake City outlet KSL-TV, the Osmond family said that Alan’s wife, Suzanne, and their eight sons were at his bedside at the time of his death, adding:
“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.”
Performing in a barbershop quartet with his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay when he was only 12, Alan (the third child of George and Olive Osmond,) rose to fame on The Andy Williams Show.
Once their younger brothers Donny and Jimmy joined the family band in the 1970s, the group became a massive pop sensation, thanks to such hits such as ‘One Bad Apple,’ ‘Crazy Horses’ and ‘Love Me for a Reason’ that sold 77,000,000+ records worldwide.
Along with Merrill, Alan was the group’s creative leader and co-writer of many of their songs in addition to playing the piano and guitar and singing background vocals.
Though Donny left to pursue a solo career and sing with his sister Marie, the Osmond quartet continued performing until 2007 when Alan retired due to his MS diagnose, the autoimmune disease where the immune system causes damage to the central nervous system.
Alan Osmond is survived by his wife, their eight sons, 30 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
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Author: Al Dente
Photo: MGM Records – Public Domain