His death marks the passing of one of the central figures in one of America’s most remarkable family entertainment stories.
A Musical Family Begins Its Journey
Alan Ralph Osmond was born June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, to George and Olive Osmond.
Music became part of his life at a very young age.
The Osmond children grew up in a large family, and their parents encouraged them to sing together. Alan, along with brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay, eventually formed the original performing quartet.
Their musical beginnings were not driven by dreams of becoming international celebrities.
The brothers initially performed in part to help raise money for their older brothers Virl and Tom, who were born with severe hearing loss and needed specialized education and hearing aids. That early experience helped establish something that would remain important throughout Alan’s life: the idea that the family’s talents should be used not only for entertainment but also to help others.
