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Fans Know They Love Them For A Reason
March 8, 2006
East Anglian Daily Times

Submitted by Janey Gee

Osmonds still draw crowds 30 years on

Osmondmania returned to Ipswich last night with the arrival of the Osmond brothers on stage at the Ipswich Regent.

The Osmonds, whose hits include ‘Love me for a Reason' and ‘Crazy Horses' were THE boy band of the early 1970's and such was their success that family members Donny, Marie and little Jimmy went on to chart-topping solo careers.

In 1971, they earned between them nine gold records in a single year – more than Elvis or the Beatles had managed to do at the height of their fame – although they have always had a high profile in the United States thanks to a series of television shows including ‘The Osmond Family Show', ‘The Donny and Marie Show' and ‘The Donny and Marie Talk Show'.

In the UK , 1973 was the Osmonds' big year when their arrival at Heathrow Airport was greeted by thousands of screaming fans, accompanied by a sell-out tour.

In the early 1980's,while the family Osmond continued to have sell-out shows in Las Vegas, there was a professional gear change within the family band. Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay made the move from pop to country music while Donny and Marie both took themselves off to drama school before pursuing separate careers on Broadway – Donny appearing in an award-winning production of ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' while Marie played Maria in ‘The Sound of Music' and Anna in ‘The King and I'. She also runs a business selling collectible teddy bears.

Jimmy, following in his siblings footsteps, owns and runs a pair of theatres as well as recently spending time starring in a UK theatre production of ‘Boogie Nights' as well as starring in ‘I'm a Celebrity … Get me out of here.'

Last night the brothers seemed to revel in the adulation they received from their adoring fans.

Jimmy, fresh from his ‘I'm a Celebrity' exploits said “It is a privilege to play with my brothers. I figured if I could last in the jungle I could make it on to the tour bus.”

And receiving long and rapturous ovations as they belted out one hit after another Jimmy asked: “How does it feel to be a teenager again?” This brought on a number of massive cheers, prompting Jimmy to add “This will be a forever memory for us.”

In an age where boy bands come and go on the wind, the Osmonds are proud of the fact that family ties have kept them together and a packed Regent proved that their audiences haven't deserted them.