25 Surprising Secrets Behind the Osmond Dynasty
The Osmonds—whose wholesome image and catchy tunes dominated the ’70s—have many stories that few realize. Beyond the hits and TV shows lies a legacy full of surprising twists. Here are 25 revelations that paint a richer, more human portrait of this iconic family.
- In the early 1970s, few acts matched The Osmonds in fame, fan frenzy, or chart success. As clean-cut teen idols turned rock performers, they dominated pop culture with hit records, a beloved TV variety show, and sold-out tours worldwide. Blending barbershop harmonies with pop and hard rock experimentation, the Osmonds helped define an era — and became one of America’s most recognizable musical families.
- The original Osmond Brothers began as a barbershop quartet in 1958, performing to raise money for their brothers’ hearing aids.
- Virl and Tom Osmond, the two eldest siblings, were born with severe hearing impairments and never performed musically with the group.
- The family was discovered by Disney entertainment director Tommy Walker while singing at Disneyland.
- Their first national TV appearance was on “The Andy Williams Show” in 1962, earning them the nickname “the one-take Osmonds.”
- Donny joined the group on the Andy Williams show, making them a five-member act at just five years old.
- The Osmonds’ first single was “Flower Music” in 1967, but it failed to chart.
- Their breakout hit “One Bad Apple” hit #1 in 1971 and stayed there for five weeks.
- The song “One Bad Apple” was originally written with The Jackson 5 in mind.
- The Osmonds were among the first artists to record at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
- The band’s 1972 hit “Crazy Horses” featured no vocals from Donny Osmond.
- Marie Osmond scored a #1 U.S. country hit at just 13 years old with “Paper Roses” in 1973.
- Jimmy Osmond was the youngest artist ever to hit #1 in the U.K. with “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool” in 1972.
- The Osmonds released a concept album called The Plan in 1973, inspired by their Mormon faith.
- The family ran their own television studio in Orem, Utah, where they produced The Donny & Marie Show.
- Donny was nearly cast as the Teen Angel in Grease but turned it down for the film Goin’ Coconuts.
- Merrill Osmond recorded a Top 40 country hit under the pseudonym “Merrill and Jessica” in 1987.
- The Osmonds shifted to country music in the early 1980s and had a string of country chart hits.
- Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and later retired from performing.
- Alan’s sons performed as a second-generation group called The Osmond Boys in the 1980s and 90s.
- The family avoided bankruptcy in the late ’70s by repaying debts with touring revenue instead of filing.
- The Osmonds’ Las Vegas comeback show in 2008 marked their only U.S. stop during their 50th anniversary tour.
- Jay Osmond wrote the story for The Osmonds: A New Musical, which toured the U.K. and Ireland in 2022.
- The Osmonds received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
- Despite 1970s chart dominance, their music is now rarely heard on classic hits radio.
- In 2022, Merrill Osmond retired to serve a church mission, making Jay the final performing member of the original quartet.
Why These Stories Matter
The Osmonds’ path from Disney hopefuls to global superstars was anything but scripted. Their journey intertwined raw talent, family faith, financial highs and lows, industry battles, and reinvention—offering a richer understanding than chart positions alone can convey. Behind the perfect uniforms and pop hits lies a story of resilience, creativity, and the unbreakable bond of nine siblings navigating fame together.