The Osmonds and the Jacksons
How Are These Families Similar? A Look at the Osmond Brothers and Jackson 5
The Osmond Brothers and the Jackson Five came onto the scene about the same time. Although the original Osmond Brothers had been singing for years before Donny joined the group, when the brothers added Donny and became a group of five, and the Jackson’s were singing together as five brothers, the similarities between these groups and families began to be the topic of stories and articles.
As Different as Night and Day
On his website, Jay Osmond wrote that when Michael Jackson was asked about the similarities between the families, Jackson said they were “as different as night and day.” While on stage the families have each had great success, their off stage lives have been completely different.
The two music groups never performed together, but they did have many of the same songs pitched to each of them. The Jackson’s were offered the song “One Bad Apple,” but they declined and went on to record their hit song “ABC.” The Osmonds recorded “One Bad Apple” which turned into one of their big hits.
Both groups of brothers had their lead singers. For the Osmond’s it was Merrill and for the Jackson’s it was Jermaine. But in each of these groups the younger brother shone more brightly and Donny and Michael went on to be the breakout solo singers from each family.
Members of both families stayed in contact with each other through the years. Donny visited Neverland Ranch. Jimmy Osmond, the youngest of the family, had several business dealings with Michael.
The Sisters Often Overshadowed Their Brothers
Both families are large and talented. Marie Osmond, the only sister in the family, has a singing/acting/entrepreneurial career. The Jackson sisters, Janet, LaToya, and Rebbie all have singing careers as well, and like Marie Osmond, often come out ahead of their brothers on the charts.
The Jackson Five and The Osmond Brothers together have racked up hundreds of gold and platinum records. The Osmonds hold the record for the most gold records in a single year with nine. Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album is the best selling album of all time.
Both families are comprised of nine siblings. This in itself is a source of comparison. Add that to the fact that they are both in the entertainment industry and began with the core group of singing brothers, and the comparisons continue.
Nine Siblings
The Osmond siblings are comprised of Virl and Tom (non-singing), Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, and Jimmy. The Jackson siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, LaToya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Janet. One can only imagine the music that would have been had these singers all joined together on stage.
Besides the size of both families as well as their singing talents, there is nothing else to link the Osmonds and the Jacksons together. They are simply two large families who came onto the entertainment scene at around the same time, began with singing brothers, had breakout brothers (Donny and Michael) and sisters (Marie and Janet), and continue in some form in the entertainment industry. Other than that, they are, as Michael stated, “as different as night and day.”
Sources:
The Musical Talents of The Osmonds and Jacksons
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