Wayne Osmond, Singer and Guitarist for The Osmonds, Dies at 73/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Wayne Osmond, a founding member of The Osmonds, has died at 73 after a stroke. Known for hits like “One Bad Apple,” he contributed to the family band’s rise in the 1970s. Despite health challenges later in life, he reflected on his career with gratitude.
Wayne Osmond’s Legacy: Quick Looks
- Passing at 73: Wayne Osmond died following a massive stroke at a Salt Lake City hospital.
- Family and Early Life: The fourth of nine children, he started performing with his siblings in the 1950s.
- Rise to Fame: The Osmonds gained widespread popularity in the early 1970s with hits like “One Bad Apple.”
- Later Career and Health: After health struggles, including a brain tumor and hearing loss, he found joy in simpler pursuits.
- Personal Life: Married Kathlyn White in 1974 and fathered five children.
What to Know About Singer & Guitarist Wayne Osmond Who Dies at 73
Deep Look
Wayne Osmond, singer, guitarist, and a founding member of the iconic family group The Osmonds, passed away at 73. Known for 1970s hits like “One Bad Apple,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Down By the Lazy River,” Osmond died this week at a Salt Lake City hospital following a “massive stroke,” according to a Facebook post by his brother Merrill Osmond.
“I’ve never known a man with more humility. A man with absolutely no guile,” Merrill wrote. “He was quick to forgive and showed unconditional love to everyone he met.”
A Lifelong Music Career
Wayne Osmond was the fourth oldest of nine children raised in a Mormon household in Ogden, Utah. He was the second oldest among the performing siblings. His musical journey began in the 1950s when he joined brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay to form a barbershop quartet.
The Osmonds rose to prominence in the 1960s with the support of singer Andy Williams and reached their peak in the early 1970s. With younger brother Donny Osmond as the breakout star, the group achieved fame with chart-topping hits often likened to the music of the Jackson 5. Donny was sometimes positioned as a counterpart to Michael Jackson, leading to the group’s massive appeal among teen audiences.
Career Evolution
By the mid-1970s, The Osmonds’ popularity waned. However, Donny and sister Marie Osmond found individual success, both as solo performers and as a brother-sister duo.
In the 1980s, Wayne rejoined Alan, Merrill, and Jay to form a country act. They enjoyed modest success with hits like “I Think About Your Lovin’.”
Health Challenges
In the mid-1990s, Wayne Osmond faced significant health challenges, including a brain tumor that led to partial hearing loss. Despite these difficulties, he remained optimistic.
“I’ve had a wonderful life. Being able to hear is not all that it’s cracked up to be,” Osmond told the Deseret News in 2018. “My favorite thing now is to take care of my yard. I turn my hearing aids off, tune everything out—it’s really joyful.”
A stroke in 2012 left him unable to play guitar, but he maintained a positive outlook.
Family and Legacy
Wayne Osmond married Kathlyn White in 1974. The couple had five children.
As a member of The Osmonds, Wayne helped shape the sound of a generation and leave a lasting legacy in the music world.
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