Press Releases

Osmond Fans Bite Back
March 10, 2006
Evening Star

Submitted by Janey Gee

(The following article was printed in response to
the article 'Rocky Journey Down Memory Lane')

OBSCURE? MOST OF US SEEMED TO BE CLUED IN
Just how big an Osmond fan was the Evening Star's reviewer Susan Hawkes? I haven't bought an Osmonds album since the 70s (except for the greatest hits Ultimate collection a few years ago) and I knew 95 per cent of the songs they performed. Knowing the talent and professionalism the Osmonds have, my expectations were high, but those brothers delivered a show that far exceeded those expectations. They had the audience under their spell and I observed most people singing along for most of the concert, so the songs couldn't have been as obscure as your reporter made out. Although it would have been nice to have had Donny and Marie join their brothers on stage, I didn't miss them. Merrill was always the lead singer of the Osmonds and Jimmy did well to cover for the falsetto bits Donny used to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my Osmond experience, and from the comments of those I spoke to I wasn't alone in my thinking. Unlike your reporter. DENISE KEARNS

*****

SUSAN WAS PROBABLY A DONNY FAN
I am not sure which Osmond LP's Susan Hawkes owned in the 1970's because I can assure Star readers, and her, that I can think of only two songs performed at The Osmond's concert on Tuesday in Ipswich, that were not either hit singles of favourite album tracks from the 70s. The two numbers Jay performed solo on the drums were the oly ones that had not been initially recorded by The Osmonds in the 1970s – and those two were the ones my 70 year old mother later told me she had enjoyed the most!

Maybe Susan never bought or listened to The Plan album (my copy is dated 1973), the Crazy Horses album (dated 1972) or Love Me for a Reason (1974). If she had she would have known that The Osmonds were always, and still are, a brilliant rock (and roll) band. They write the majority of the stuff themselves (sheesh – my teenagers know this!)

Obviously Susan is/was a Donny fan, or a Donny and Marie fan. That isn't the same thing at all. Don't get me wrong, I love Donny, maybe as much as I love Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy, but definitely not more. They are very different genres.

I understand that there were sound problems at Ipswich Regent, but I can assure you that the Osmond fans from the 70s probably knew every single song that was performed apart from Jay's two solo's – and at least half of us knew those too.

I am accustomed to reading negative reviews, but usually I think the negativity is due to ignorance. Susan claims to be an Osmond fan from the 70s but she failed to recognise the songs that most of the fans love best! CLAIRE HAYSTEAD

*****

ROCK ON BOYS
I really can't understand why in the Osmond review your reporter said “the songs became more obscure as the group concentrated on rock and roll instead of the ballads for which they were always known.” In my opinion this reporter could never have been a true Osmond fan. SUE HILL

*****

BAND GETS ALONG FINE WITHOUT HIM
AS to the band missing Donny's presence: rubbish. They cope and perform perfectly well without him. The plain truth is, they are true professionals, still able to draw in the crowds of which consists of original Osmond fans from the 70s to the new teens that are now following these Fantastic Brothers who have given pleasure to millions across the world. J WALDRAM, PORTSMOUTH .

*****

REVIEWER MUST DO HOMEWORK
Why do reporters in general insisit on bringing up Donny when they review a concert by The Osmond Brothers?

If Susan (and all the others) would do their homework, they would know that brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay performed without him for many years before Donny ever came in to the picture. Donny joined after several years when he was old enough an he was part of the group for a very brief time. After that, Donny became a solo act and The Osmond Brothers, Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay continued on.

Jimmy performed with them briefly also, but he too was a solo act. For the past 25 years, The Osmond Brothers performances have consisted of either Wayne, Merrill and Jay or Wayne, Merrill, Jay and/or Jimmy – depending on Jimmy's performance/business schedules. Merrill has also performed individually. BETTY LINDBERGH

*****

I KNEW ALL THE WORDS
The Osmonds' show was fantastic. How can the Star say the songs were obscure? I knew all the words to every one. Every Osmond fan would too! The Osmonds are not just Love me for a Reason and Crazy Horses. KIM BARTON

*****

MORE THAN PUPPY LOVE
Your reporter is confused with the Donny Osmond and Puppy Love era. This is not what The Osmonds are about … they are about great music that covers many different styles. MAUREEN WALTERS.