Alan Osmond, ‘Crazy Horses’ co-songwriter and eldest member of the Osmonds, dies at 76

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Alan Osmond, the eldest member of showbiz family the Osmonds, died Monday. He was 76.

Alan Osmond passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Suzanne, and their eight sons. He had been using a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, a condition he battled for many years. He recently spent a week in intensive care but was able to return home to Lehi, Utah, on Thursday before his death.

Donny Osmond honored his brother on social media Tuesday, sharing a childhood photo of Alan holding baby Donny.

Looking back at old photos, it’s so clear – he always had his arm around me, like he was looking out for me. That just was him. He was my protector, my guide, the guy who shouldered so much without complaint so everyone else could have their moment to shine. It was just in his nature to quietly take care of things.

Alan truly led the way for us and was instrumental in building everything we achieved. I’m deeply grateful for everything he gave up and the kindness he showed to all of us – not just me, but our entire family. I can never repay him for all he’s done.

As a big fan of The Osmonds’ music, I always knew Alan Osmond was incredibly talented. What many people might not realize is that he actually co-wrote some of their biggest songs! He helped create classics like “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses,” and “Are You Up There?” – tunes that really defined their sound and are still stuck in my head today!

Alan Osmond was born on June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, and began his musical journey in the 1950s. His father, George, a music enthusiast, taught Alan and his brothers – Wayne, Merrill, and Jay – to sing in harmony as a quartet. They performed to earn money for their older brothers, Virl and Tom, who had significant hearing loss and required expensive schooling and hearing aids.

Alan Osmond was the eldest member of the performing group and the third oldest of all his brothers. They started their careers performing at local fairs in Utah. A lucky performance at Disneyland then opened the door to their first television appearance on “Disney After Dark” in 1962.

During a 2023 interview with KSL News Utah, Alan Osmond recalled that Walt Disney witnessed one of their performances. He remembered Disney seeing a minor mistake during a hat routine performed by Jay, and surprisingly, Disney told them to keep it as part of the show!

Alan explained that Andy Williams’ father spotted the brothers performing on a show called “Disney After Dark,” which led directly to their television career. He said, “That’s how we got our start on TV.”

The singing group frequently appeared on “The Andy Williams Show,” performing over 60 times between 1962 and 1967. In 1968, they spent a year on “The Jerry Lewis Show” before returning to “The Andy Williams Show” in 1969.

“They knocked us all out,” Williams said during the KSL special. “They were terrific.”

By the late 1960s, the popular sound of clean-cut harmonies was fading, and a new kind of music was taking over. The Osmond brothers recognized this shift and used their musical talents to update their image. Alan played piano and guitar, collaborating with Merrill on songwriting and production. Merrill played bass and was the lead singer, while Jay played drums, Wayne played lead guitar, and Donny played keyboard and added vocals alongside Merrill. The group moved their focus from television appearances to recording music, and with the support of MGM Records, they released their third album, simply titled “Osmonds,” in the fall of 1970.

1971 was a phenomenal year for the Osmonds, as they achieved nine gold records – more than Elvis or the Beatles had in any single year. The group’s rock ‘n’ roll album proved to be a major success, and it also launched the career of Donny Osmond as a rising star.

During the mid-to-late 1970s, Alan was a key producer for the popular ABC television show, “The Donny & Marie Show,” which featured his siblings, Donny and Marie.

Alan explained to KSL that some people claim supporting Donny and Marie Osmond harmed his own music career. He responded by saying he doesn’t regret it, because family is what truly matters.

After “The Donny & Marie Show” ended in 1979, the original Osmond brothers – Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay – reunited on stage in 1982, but this time as a country music group. Alan explained to the Associated Press that they moved to country because it suited their family-friendly image better.

He believes country music is a core part of American culture, something that’s consistently present and proud of its roots. He noted that this sense of patriotism is particularly strong within the country music community.

Alan Osmond received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1987, which led to his retirement from performing with his family.

Merrill Osmond shared a heartfelt message online, saying he’d been with Alan just two days before his death.

I’ll never forget our conversation. It was just like talking to a brother, a really open and honest sharing of what we both felt. He was going through a tough time, but even just a couple of jokes seemed to lift his spirits – he managed a chuckle, and then a real smile. Then, in a moment I’ll cherish forever, he leaned in close and whispered to me. He reminded me of everything we’d built together – all the creating, producing, and directing we’d done, how much of ourselves we’d poured into it. He pleaded with me to share it with the world, to make sure people understood the message we were trying to convey.

Merrill spoke of his brother as a dedicated missionary and a truly good person, explaining that Alan’s life wasn’t defined by how long he lived, but by the love he shared, his willingness to sacrifice, and his strong sense of purpose.

“He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you.”

His brother Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73 in 2025 after suffering a stroke.

Alan is remembered by his wife, Suzanne, and his large family, including eight sons—Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler—as well as 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Virl, Tom, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Jimmy, and his sister, Marie.

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2026-04-22 02:01