Wayne Osmond, a key member of the musical family sensation The Osmonds, has passed away at 73. The singer and guitarist died this week in a Salt Lake City hospital after suffering a massive stroke, as confirmed by his brother Merrill Osmond on Facebook.
Merrill paid tribute to Wayne, describing him as a humble man quick to forgive and full of unconditional love. “I’ve never known a man with more humility,” Merrill wrote, capturing the love and respect Wayne earned within his family.
Wayne Osmond was the fourth oldest of nine siblings raised in a Mormon household in Ogden, Utah. He was one of the original performers in the family act, which began as a barbershop quartet in the 1950s before gaining national fame.
The Osmonds rose to stardom in the early 1970s with hits like “One Bad Apple” and “Yo-Yo.” They were often compared to the Jackson 5, with Donny Osmond becoming the group’s breakout star and a counterpart to Michael Jackson.
Though their fame declined by the mid-1970s, some members, including Wayne, shifted focus. In the 1980s, Wayne and his brothers embraced a country music career, releasing hits like “I Think About Your Lovin’.”
Health challenges marked Wayne’s later years. He underwent surgery for a brain tumor in the 1990s, losing much of his hearing, and a stroke in 2012 left him unable to play guitar. Yet he remained positive, finding joy in simple pleasures like yardwork. Married to Kathlyn White since 1974, Wayne leaves behind five children and countless memories.