Eldest sibling and The Osmonds star Alan Osmond dies age 76

He had been battling with progressive multiple sclerosis since 1987

The Osmonds pictured in 1975. Alan Osmond has died aged 76

American musician Alan Osmond – who sang with his brothers in chart-topping pop group The Osmonds – has died aged 76, his family has confirmed.

The singer – who is best known for tracks such as Crazy Horses, Love Me For A Reason and Let Me In – died on Monday surrounded by his wife and their eight children, according to a statement issued by his family to his local news station, KSL TV 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Since 1987, Osmond had been battling with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves – and causing symptoms like fatigue, numbness, vision issues, and walking difficulties.

The Osmonds (left to right) Donny, Alan, Marie and Jay (Yui Mok/PA)

Osmond began his career in 1958 when he formed a barbershop quartet with his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay, before being joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy, who later enjoyed solo success, to form The Osmonds.

The group were eventually discovered by Jay Emerson Williams, the father of American singer Andy Williams, and in 1962, the family became regular performers on his variety programme, The Andy Williams Show.

Osmond and his brothers featured often on the popular TV show over a seven-year period, and the gig shot them to national fame and cemented The Osmond Brothers as a household name.

The family also made many guest appearances acting and performing on US western series The Travels Of Jaimie McPheeters.

The sound of Osmond music – Merrill, Jay, Donny, Wayne, Marie, Jimmy and Alan Osmond, during a concert (PA)

In the 1970s, the group became teen idols and rocketed to global fame, selling more than 77 million records worldwide.

The Osmonds became a pop phenomenon and, as the eldest sibling, Alan took charge as a songwriter and composer, producing some of their most popular songs including One Bad Apple and Down By The Lazy River.

In 1972, a weekly Saturday-morning cartoon series titled The Osmonds launched on American TV network ABC, following the family on its antics and featuring their most popular songs.

Alan and his family starred in the popular show until it ended in 1973, and it later transitioned into a variety show starring his siblings Donny and Marie, which was named after the brother-sister duo.

Alan Osmond has died aged 76 (Yui Mok/PA)

The family performed together until their 50th anniversary in 2007, when Alan and his younger brother Wayne, who died in 2025 aged 73, retired due to health issues.

The family band have since had public reunions performing together, most notably in October 2019 as they gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of their sister Marie.

In 2024, Alan published his memoir, One Way Ticket, which follows his journey to international stardom as the leader of The Osmonds, and also details his ongoing battle with MS.

Osmond tied the knot with his wife Julie in 1974, and the pair have eight children together who have followed in their family’s footsteps to form The Osmond Boys, also known as the Second Generation.