The group originally comprised brothers Alan Ralph Osmond (born June 22, 1949), Melvin Wayne Osmond (known as Wayne Osmond) (born August 28, 1951), Merrill Davis Osmond (born April 30, 1953), and Jay Wesley Osmond (born March 2, 1955).
The Osmonds' career started with a big break at Disneyland, followed quickly by regular performances on The Andy Williams Show in the early 1960's. In the mid 60's they started to perform with Sweden's most popular singer Lars Lönndahl, which allowed them to gain alot of popularity in Sweden. However their most successful period was the early 1970's when they acheived a string of chart hits.
They were joined for a time by their younger brothers, Donny and Jimmy. They had their own Saturday morning cartoon series on ABC-TV from 1972-1973. Donny and Jimmy both achieved success as solo artists, as did their sister Marie. Marie's signature song was the country hit 'Paper Roses'. Jimmy achieved particular success in the UK and Japan,(mostly for his single 'Long Haired Lover From Liverpool'), whilst Donny and Marie's success was nearly worldwide. Donny and Marie also performed as a duo, and hosted their own variety show, 'Donny and Marie' on ABC from 1976 - 1979.
The Osmonds breakthrough hit, "One Bad Apple", featuring lead vocals from Merrill and Donny bore an uncanny similarity to the "bubblegum pop" sound of their contemporaries, The Jackson 5. The song spent 5 weeks at No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1971, and even No.6 on the R&B chart. The follow up to One Bad Apple, "Double Lovin'" stalled at 14, but the mildly psychedelic "Yo-Yo" climbed all the way to 3 in late 1971. "Yo-Yo" marks the point where the brothers began recording as a self-contained rock and roll band. In spite of their squeaky clean image, The Osmonds had a soulful, somtimes raucous sound which was a precursor of the power pop of later years.
Their first single release of 1972, "Down By The Lazy River", headed to 4 and finally broke the group in the UK, where it peaked at 40. Their British fanbase exploded overnight. All members of the Osmond family, counting group and solo recordings, charted an astonishing thirteen singles in the UK charts during 1973. Their 1972 LP Crazy Horses and its title track were met with mixed critical reaction. The album attempted a more rock-oriented sound and image, its lead track, "Hold Her Tight" bearing a marked similarity to Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song with its churning bass line and wailing guitar breaks. The album, however, was a real testament to the brother's ability to write and play (they played all the instruments on the album) and featured some serious songwriting, singing and playing chops. Following quickly on its heels was the ambitious 1973 release, The Plan, perhaps best described as a Mormon concept album with prog rock aspirations. These albums were followed with gentler, more sentimental songs such as "Let Me In" and "Love Me For A Reason". This music, combined with the brothers' good looks and clean image, greatly appealed to the teenybopper market. Like the word 'Beatlemania', a new word, 'Osmania', was coined to describe the phenomenon.
The Osmonds Now!!
Wayne, Jay and Merrill continue to perform as The Osmond Brothers, with frequent appearances in Branson, Missouri, as well as the UK, both as a quartet with Jimmy. Merrill also performs as a solo artist. Alan no longer performs except on rare occasions, as he suffers from multiple sclerosis. Today their sound is more country && western, with a bit of rock, and adult contemporary thrown in.
Jimmy performs in Branson and the UK, as well, and has become a successful businessman. He has also appeared in the UK series, "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here".
Marie has been a radio host and makes and sells dolls.
Donny maintains a successful touring and recording pop career in the UK, and occasionally the US. He was a theatrical hit, starring for a time in the lead role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
All of the brothers are married with some of them having large families themselves. Alan's eight sons sometimes perform as "The Osmonds - Second Generation" or "2ndG".
Discography
Osmonds - 1970 Label: MGM Records SE-4724 Singles: One Bad Apple, Sweet and Innocent (originally billed to the Osmonds)
Homemade - 1971 Label: MGM Records SE-4770 Singles: Double Lovin', Chilly Winds
Phase III - 1971 Label: MGM Records SE-4796 Singles: Yo-Yo, Down By The Lazy River
The Osmonds Live - 1972 Label: MGM Records 2SE-4826
Crazy Horses - 1972 Label: MGM/Kolob Records SE-4871 Singles: Hold Her Tight, Crazy Horses
The Plan - 1973 Label: MGM/Kolob Records SE-4902 Singles: Let Me In, Goin' Home
Love Me For A Reason - 1974 Label: MGM/Kolob Records SE-4939 Singles: Love Me For A Reason, Having A Party
The Proud One - 1975 Label: MGM/Polydor Singles: The Proud One, I'm Still Gonna Need You
Around The World: Live In Concert - 1975 Label: MGM/Kolob Records SE-5012
Brainstorm - 1976 Label: Polydor/Kolob Records Singles: I Can't Live A Dream, Back On The Road Again,
The Osmonds Christmas Album - 1976 Label: Polydor/Kolob Records
The Osmonds Greatest Hits - 1977 Label: Polydor Records PD-2-9005
The following four albums did not feature Donny
Steppin' Out - 1979 Label: Mercury SRM-1-3766 Singles: Steppin' Out, Emily, Rainin', I I I Note: This was their last album as a pop group
The Osmond Brothers - 1982 Label: Elektra Asylum Records 60180 Singles: Never Ending Song of Love, I Think About Your Lovin'
One Way Rider - 1984 Label: Warner Brothers Records 1-25070 Singles: She's Ready For Someone To Love Her, Where Does An Angel Go When She Cries, One Way Rider
Single: Suzanne - 1985 (?) Unsure of label release/never released on an album
About Me
Name: Libby
Age: 14
Heyy. I'm Libby and I'm now 15 years old. Yes, it did used to say I was 14, but my birthday was in May, when I turned a year older. I currently live in Nottingham, England but next year me and my family are moving to Turkey. The year after, I'm off to Liverpool to study at college and university. Your probably wondering why a 15 year old is making a fansite on The Osmonds, when they were around decades before I was actually born, and to be honest, I sometimes ask myself that question. But I just think there music is so great and that they are one of the greatest bands of all time. I can't actually remember what made me start listening to them, but I can remember listening to Crazy Horses and after that, I became a massive fan of theirs.
Some people think I'm weird liking them, and my brother never stops making fun of the fact I like them, but everyone has different tastes in music and I never say anything about what my brother likes, so he's just gonna have to learn to live with it. I've seen them in concert once so far, but I'm seeing them again next year;the whole family this time. I've met loads of new people ever since liking The Osmonds and I've signed up to every forum to do with them, including Donny's offical website. For anyone that knows me, they will know I have a love/hate relationships with Bands nowadays. I do like them, but I don't like their concerts that much, as you can still hear their music;when you went to see The Osmonds or The Beatles in concert back in the day, you would not be able to hear the music as everyone was screaming so much, and in a weird way, I hate that concerts aren't like that anymore.
Just recently, I've become a massive fan of The Beatles, being brought up listening to them, as my parents were huge fans of theirs when they were younger. My parents took me to Liverpool for a weekend, and ever since then I've loved everything about them;thats the main reason I'm moving to Liverpool, because The Beatles grew up there. So, look out for a music fansite about The Beatles.
And now, something thats not anything to do with The Osmonds or The Beatles;but more to do with what I plan to do in the future. My mum is signing me up to The Casting Suite Agency, which is for extras in music videos, adverts, films and tv programs. But then when I go to College, I'm take Beauty Therapy. So look out for me in the future. I'll either be a big Hollywood filmstar, or I'll be owning my own celebrity salon.
If theres anything else you want to know, or if you have any suggestions on how to make the fansite better, just send me a message or a comment and I'll get back to you if needed. Picture comments, blog comments and friend requests are welcomed.
Libby x
