Vegas Inside Tips | Cover Story

As a member of the Osmond family, Merrill Osmond has had a very successful career. For 51 of his 55 years he’s been on stage doing what he’s been told and accepting it as a way of life.

“I had to bite the bullet so many times,” says Osmond, who will appear with his brothers at The Orleans Sept. 26-28. “It was always for the overall cause and entire picture. I had to get used to the fact that it would never change.”

The frustration that Osmond felt all these years is gone. Two things happened to change it: the passing of his father opened some things up and his brother, Donny, gave him a surprising opportunity on the group’s 50th anniversary tour in Europe.

“Father’s dying changed things,” explains Osmond. “We all loved him dearly, but he was like a drill sergeant all our lives. He was in charge. He told us what to do and we did it.

“The 50th anniversary tour was Jimmy’s idea. There was some animosity about it in the beginning because we were all told what to do, which was the way things usually happened,” continued Osmond. “Then father passed and all of a sudden an almost magical bond came about. For me, it was freedom. Donny took over production of the tour and it was the most therapeutic thing that could have happened for me.”

Outside of the true die hard Osmond fan, most people who think about the Osmond’s music believe that Donny was always the lead singer when, it fact, it was Merrill.

“Donny surprised me. He wanted the music on the tour to be the same as it was on our records, which meant I would be out front singing lead. I was shocked and thrilled,” recalls Osmond. “It took off so much stress. We were all able to who we are. It was what the public perceived of the Osmond family.”

For the tour, the Osmond ripped off their tuxedos and donned jeans. It created an entirely new energy for the group and was a natural healing for them all.

While his siblings, Donny & Marie, are headlining at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Merrill appears in selected dates with his brothers – Wayne, Jay and Jimmy. He’s also a solo artist and his dream of being in the forefront keeps him going.

“Today, I’m a rock n’ roller,” laughs Osmond, that’s what I want to do and that’s what I’m doing in Europe. It’s a classic rock tour. I’ll be headlining in Wales, Belgium and Ireland with my band playing classic rock and new tunes that I wrote. I feel like a young bird spreading its wings and I couldn’t be happier.

“The family is totally behind me, though now I didn’t have to ask anyone’s permission I discuss things with my wife of 35 years and then I do what is best for me. What a fantastic feeling that is!”

Merrill Osmond as lead singer of the Osmond family has performed in almost every major venue in this country as well as the United Kingdom. He has toured the world and it’s his voice as the lead you hear on hits such as “One Bad Apple,” ”Crazy Horses,” “Yo-Yo,” “Down by the Lazy River,” “Love Me for a Reason” and many other countless hits.

In collaboration with his brothers, Osmond has sang lead to the group’s collective 27 gold records -- many of which he shared the production credits and has written the music and lyrics for five number one hit records. Collectively, the Osmonds have produced 47 platinum and gold records.

In the history of the rock era, no other recording artists have earned as many gold records in one year as the Osmond family. Not even the Beatles surpassed the record of the Osmond’s 11 gold award certificates in one year, a record the Osmonds still hold today.

Merrill has received two People’s Choice Awards, four number #1 Billboard hits, and two Grammy Award nominations. His entertainment career has spanned more than 50 years and his achievements have earned him notable recognition and honorable titles such as one of the “Ten Outstanding Men,” for the States Jaycees.

Merrill Osmond’s powerful influence in the music and entertainment industry leaves a legacy that embraces principles that strengthens families and provides us with a deep love for God and his country.

His talent as a strong leader has moved him into other productions serving as the executive producer of the “Donny and Marie Show,” on ABC-TV from 1976-1979, “The Roy Clark Special,” and “The Osmond Christmas Family Specials.” In addition he has produced more than 90 teleplays and scripts for television.

Merrill’s passion to serve others comes from his devotion to God and his fellow man. His love for the lives he touches shows up in his philanthropic work as the co-founder of the Osmond Foundation, which produces the “The Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.” He has also been awarded “Honorary Chairman,” and “Medalist,” in his work for the Utah Special Olympics.