Alan Osmond was best known as one of the founding members of the family band The Osmonds, and older brother of Donny and Marie.
US musician Donny Osmond has paid an emotional tribute to his brother Alan, following his death at the age of 76. The eldest Osmond sibling died on Monday surrounded by his wife and their eight children, according to a statement shared with American outlet KSL TV in Utah.
Alan was best known as a founding member of family band The Osmonds, who found global fame with hits including One Bad Apple, Yo-Yo, Crazy Horses, Love Me For A Reason and Let Me In.
Posting to Instagram, Donny shared a childhood photo of the pair and described his older brother as his lifelong “protector” and “guide”.
READ MORE: Where are the Osmonds now – Mormon missions to tragic deathsREAD MORE: Alan Osmond dead: Music icon dies aged 76 after lengthy health battle
He wrote: “This is one of the earliest pictures I have of my brother Alan and me. Even back then, you can see that he had his arm around me, watching over me. That’s who he was. My protector. My guide. The one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.”
He continued: “Alan was our leader in every sense of the word. 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. I love you, Alan. Thank you for always being there for me. Til we meet again, Brother Donny.”
Donny and Alan’s brother Merrill also paid tribute, writing on Facebook, “My brother has now stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace. He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you … He truly was a saint.”
Alan had been living with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) for almost 40 years. The condition affects the central nervous system which can cause symptoms including fatigue, numbness, vision problems and difficulty walking.
Despite his diagnosis, he remained determined and positive, once saying: “I may have MS, but MS does NOT have me!”
The eldest of the performing Osmond brothers, Alan played a key role in shaping the group’s success. He began performing in 1958 alongside brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay, before younger siblings Donny and Jimmy joined to form The Osmonds.
The group rose to fame after appearances on The Andy Williams Show, going on to become a global pop sensation. Alan was central to their success behind the scenes, working as a songwriter, composer and producer on some of their biggest hits.
Across their career, The Osmonds sold more than 77 million records worldwide, scoring multiple UK top 10 singles and albums, including a number one with Love Me For A Reason. The song was famously covered by Irish band Boyzone in 1994.
The Osmonds also starred in their own TV projects, including a 1970s cartoon series and later a variety show, helping cement their place as one of the most famous musical families of their time.
Alan stepped back from performing as his health declined, later retiring alongside brother Wayne, who died in 2025 aged 73.
Away from the spotlight, Alan, a devout Mormon, married his wife Suzanne in 1974, and together they had eight children, many of whom followed in the family’s musical footsteps.
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