The Osmonds are an American family pop group who achieved enormous worldwide success as teenage music idols in the 1970s. The group originally comprised brothers Alan Ralph Osmond (born June 22, 1949), (Melvin) Wayne Osmond (born August 28, 1951), Merrill Davis Osmond (born April 30, 1953), Jay Wesley Osmond (born March 2, 1955) and Donny (Donald) Clark Osmond (born December 9, 1957). They were later joined by younger siblings (Olive) Marie Osmond (born October 13, 1959) and Jimmy (James) Arthur Osmond (born April 16, 1963). Older brothers George Virl Osmond, Jr. (born October 19, 1945), and Thomas Rulon Osmond (born October 26, 1947) were born deaf and did not appear on any of the records. In 1978, they made their performing debut with their siblings on The Donny & Marie Christmas Special and made occasional appearances from then on. Alan has suffered from MS for some years.
