American musician Donny Osmond has paid tribute to his brother and “protector” Alan Osmond who has died aged 76.
The singer died on Monday surrounded by his wife and their eight children according to a family statement issued to his local news station, KSL TV 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was best known as being a member of pop group The Osmonds alongside his siblings, who had hit songs including Crazy Horses, Love Me For A Reason and Let Me In.
Donny, who was also a member of the band, shared a heartfelt tribute in a post on Instagram on Tuesday featuring a photograph of the two together when they were children.
He said: “This is one of the earliest pictures I have of my brother Alan and me. Even back then, you can see that he had his arm around me, watching over me. That’s who he was. My protector. My guide. The one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.
“Alan was our leader in every sense of the word. His tireless work helped build everything we became. I will always be grateful for the sacrifices he made and the love he showed — not just to me, but to every member of our family.
“I owe him more than I can ever fully express.
“I love you, Alan. Thank you for always being there for me. Til we meet again, Brother Donny.”
Since 1987, Alan Osmond had been battling with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
According to the NHS it causes symptoms including fatigue, numbness, vision issues and walking difficulties.
Alan launched his career in 1958 after forming a barbershop quartet with his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay who were later joined by their younger siblings Donny and Jimmy to form The Osmonds.
The group shot to national fame and became a household name after appearing on the variety programme The Andy Williams Show as well as acting and performing on US western series The Travels Of Jaimie McPheeters.
As the eldest, Alan was the lead songwriter and composer of the group and produced some of their biggest hits including One Bad Apple and Down By The Lazy River.
The group sold more than 77 million records worldwide with five UK top 10 singles, including a number one in Love Me For A Reason, and four UK top 10 albums.
They also starred in the 1970s cartoon series The Osmonds, which followed the family and its antics before it later transitioned into a variety show starring brother-sister duo Donny and Marie.
The family performed together until their 50th anniversary in 2007, when Alan and his younger brother Wayne, who died in 2025 aged 73, retired because of health issues.
The band reunited to perform in October 2019 to celebrate their sister Marie’s 60th birthday.
Osmond married his wife in 1974, and the couple had eight children together who have followed in their family’s footsteps to form The Osmond Boys, also known as the Second Generation.
