Wayne Osmond, the second-oldest of the legendary Osmonds, passed away on January 1 at the age of 73.
Early Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Wayne, along with his brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay, started a barbershop quartet in 1958. They were discovered after a performance at Disneyland and went on to appear on NBC’s The Andy Williams Show for seven years starting in 1962. With the addition of brothers Jimmy and Donny, they formed the Osmonds and became popular teen idols in the 1970s.
Roots in Ogden, Utah
The Osmonds originated in Ogden, Utah, with their Mormon faith playing a significant role in their upbringing. Their mother, Olive, mentioned in a 1976 interview that their church encouraged talents like singing from a young age, which led the four boys to start singing together.
Chart-Topping Success
The Osmonds achieved success on the Billboard Hot 100 with four top 10 hits, including the 1971 chart-topper “One Bad Apple.” Their self-penned hit “Down by the Lazy River” reached No. 4 in 1972. Their album “Phase-III” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 in 1972, with a total of 13 charting titles by 2008.
Disbandment and Reunion
After a string of hits in the 1970s, the Osmonds disbanded in 1980 but reunited in 1982 without Donny. They explored the country music scene and had success with hits like “I Think About Your Lovin’.”
Solo Ventures and Continued Success
Donny Osmond found success as a solo artist with multiple top 10 hits, including the No. 1 “Go Away Little Girl.” He also returned to the charts in 1989 with “Soldier of Love.” Meanwhile, Marie Osmond carved out her own path in country music, scoring four No. 1 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Remembering Wayne Osmond
On January 2, Donny Osmond paid tribute to his brother Wayne, highlighting his positive spirit and impact on their lives. The Osmonds’ legacy continues to live on through their music and contributions to the entertainment industry.
The Osmonds’ Top Hits
Explore the Osmonds’ biggest hits on the Hot 100 chart that solidified their place in music history.
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“Goin’ Home”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 36
Hot 100 peak date: July 14, 1973 -
“Let Me In”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 36
Hot 100 peak date: Oct. 13, 1973 -
“Hold Her Tight”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 14
Hot 100 peak date: Aug. 5, 1972 -
“The Proud One”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 22
Hot 100 peak date: Sept. 20, 1975 -
“Double Lovin’”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 14
Hot 100 peak date: July 3, 1971 -
“Crazy Horses”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 14
Hot 100 peak date: Dec. 9, 1972 -
“Love Me for a Reason”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 10
Hot 100 peak date: Oct. 19, 1974 -
“Down by the Lazy River”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 4
Hot 100 peak date: March 4, 1972 -
“Yo-Yo”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 3
Hot 100 peak date: Oct. 16, 1971 -
“One Bad Apple”
Hot 100 peak position: No. 1 (five weeks)
Hot 100 peak date: Feb. 13, 1971
FAQs
What was the Osmonds’ biggest hit?
The Osmonds’ biggest hit was “One Bad Apple,” which topped the charts for five weeks in 1971.
How many siblings were in the Osmond family?
The Osmond family had nine siblings, including Wayne, Alan, Merrill, Jay, Jimmy, Donny, and Marie.
Credit: www.billboard.com
