Singer Wayne Osmond has died at the age of 73.
The Osmonds star’s family confirmed the singer died on New Year’s Day and paid a touching tribute to the ‘beloved’ husband and father.
In a statement to KTVX his family said: “Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,” the family. His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.
“He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”
Wayne was born and raised in 1951 in Ogden, Utah. He went on to join forces with his brothers to form the barbershop quartet.
He was married former Miss Davis County Fair and Miss Utah Kathlyn White in 1974 and the pair went on to have five children. In 1997, Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which was treated successfully at the expense of his hearing. The treatment damaged his cochlea, leaving Wayne nearly deaf.
The singer had a stroke in 2012, which left him unable to play the guitar. Wayne was the second-oldest member of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth oldest of the nine Osmond children. The Osmonds had success in the 1970s and initially consisted of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay.
They were later joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy, both of whom enjoyed success as solo artists. The group had been known as the Osmond Brothers, yet with Donny’s arrival they changed to the Osmonds. They become teen idols and had a peak as a rock band from 1971 to 1975.
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