Wayne Osmond of the Renowned Osmonds Family Passes Away at 73

Wayne Osmond, a celebrated singer, guitarist, and integral member of the iconic family musical group The Osmonds, has passed away at the age of 73. The Osmonds were particularly famous during the 1970s with chart-topping hits such as “One Bad Apple,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Down By the Lazy River.” His brother, Merrill Osmond, announced Wayne’s death on social media, revealing that he succumbed to complications following a “massive stroke” while in a Salt Lake City hospital.

In an emotional tribute, Merrill expressed, “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolutely no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.” Wayne was the fourth oldest of nine siblings in a Mormon family raised in Ogden, Utah, and the second eldest among the musical group.

The Osmonds began their musical journey in the 1950s as a barbershop quartet, which initially featured Wayne alongside his brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay. Their fame soared in the 1960s with the help of well-known entertainer Andy Williams, reaching its peak in the early 1970s when they performed as a quintet with younger brother Donny Osmond taking center stage as a major star. Their sound and style often drew comparisons to the era’s contemporaries, especially the Jackson 5—where Donny was seen as a white counterpart to Michael Jackson, the Jacksons’ lead singer.

Although the group’s prominence waned by the mid-1970s, both Donny and Marie Osmond continued to thrive in their respective solo careers and as a duo. In the 1980s, Wayne reunited with brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay to form a country music lineup, producing several hits, including “I Think About Your Lovin’.”

Tragedy struck in the mid-1990s when Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor, resulting in a significant loss of hearing following surgery and treatment. In 2012, a stroke rendered him unable to play the guitar. Despite these challenges, Wayne shared in a 2018 interview, “I’ve had a wonderful life. And you know, being able to hear is not all that it’s cracked up to be, it really isn’t. My favorite thing now is to take care of my yard. I turn my hearing aids off, deaf as a doorknob, tune everything out, it’s really joyful.”

Wayne Osmond married Kathlyn White in 1974, and the couple cherished the joy of raising five children together. His legacy as a musician and a loving family man will be remembered fondly by his fans and loved ones.

Note: This article has been revised for clarity, correcting Wayne Osmond’s standing as the fourth oldest sibling rather than the second.