Alan Osmond, vocalist, songwriter, and the oldest member of family musical pop group “The Osmonds,” has died at the age of 76, his siblings confirmed on social media.
Osmond died on April 20 at his Utah residence, surrounded by his wife, Suzanne Pinegar, and their eight children. While his cause of death was not immediately disclosed, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987.
“My brother has now stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace,” his brother Merrill Osmond, 72, wrote in a Facebook post. “His life was not measured in years, but in love, sacrifice, and purpose.”
“His creativity, his vision, and his deep understanding of the Savior’s teachings were simply part of who he was. He lived it. He felt it. He shared it.”
“He wanted me to tell you how much he loved you, and I believe that with all my heart,” his tribute continued. “He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you. He truly was a missionary. He truly was a saint.”
Born in Ogden in 1949, Osmond began performing as a child alongside his brothers Wayne, Merrill, and Jay Osmond, in a barbershop quartet.
Younger brothers Donny and Jimmy Osmond later joined the group, and together garnered national attention with their breakthrough appearance on “The Andy Williams Show” in the mid-1960s.
“Alan was our leader in every sense of the word,” Donny Osmond captioned a photo of the two as children. “His tireless work helped build everything we became. I will always be grateful for the sacrifices he made and the love he showed—not just to me, but to every member of our family.”
“I owe him more than I can ever fully express,” he continued. “I love you, Alan. Thank you for always being there for me.”
Alan Osmond co-wrote a number of the group’s best-known songs, including the 1970s No. 1 hit “One Bad Apple,“ ”Crazy Horses,“ “Down by the Lazy River,” and ”Hold Her Tight.” He also served as producer for several albums.
Throughout the 1970s The Osmonds had 13 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, before they disbanded in the summer of 1980. The original four members briefly reunited and shifted their musical direction to the country genre, and continued to preform through their 50th anniversary in 2007.
Alan Osmond took a step back from touring following his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, but remained involved in the group’s creative process and making public appearances. In January 2025, Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73 after suffering a stroke.
“Two days before my brother, Alan, passed, I was blessed to sit quietly with him,” Merrill Osmond said. “We talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled.”
“So please, don’t let your hearts be heavy,” he told fans. “Don’t weep for him. Rejoice, knowing that your brother, your friend, your hero is no longer in pain. He is free. He is whole. He is home.”
Alan Osmond is survived by his wife 51 years, Pinegar, his sons Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler, along with 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
