Wayne Osmond, widely recognized for being a member of the legendary family band The Osmonds, has sadly passed away at the age of 73.

Tracey Beaumont, representing Wayne’s brother Merrill, confirmed the news in an email to YSL News on Thursday. The exact cause of his passing has not been revealed.

The Osmond family stated that Wayne “passed away peacefully” in the presence of his loved ones, as confirmed to ABC News affiliate ABC4 and Fox News affiliate Fox 13.

“His influential legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter touched many lives around the globe,” the family shared. “Wayne would want everyone to know that the message of Jesus Christ is true, families are eternal, and that banana splits are the ultimate dessert. We cherish him and will miss him profoundly.”

Merrill and another brother, Jay Osmond, took to social media to express their grief over Wayne’s passing, with Merrill noting that his brother had experienced a “massive stroke” before he died.

“My brother was a saint even before he came into this world, and he has ascended as an even greater saint,” Merrill, aged 71, posted. “I’ve never known someone with such humility, a man who bore no deceit. He was quick to forgive and extended unconditional love to everyone he met.”

He continued, “His passing will bring sadness to many, yet for those awaiting him on the other side, a grand celebration awaits that we can only begin to imagine.”

Similarly, Jay shared in his tribute on Facebook that he “felt the closest bond with Wayne among all my siblings.”

“Wayne was not only my brother but also my roommate and confidant throughout the years,” Jay, 69, wrote. “When I visited him last week, he expressed sadness over not being able to fly anymore and how much peace flying brought him.

“What brings joy is knowing my brother ‘Wings’ has now earned his wings, and I can only imagine the heights he is soaring to right now 😇 The reunion he must be having with our parents is surely magnificent!”

Donny Osmond remembers ‘dear brother’ Wayne Osmond

Donny Osmond honored his “dear brother Wayne” in an Instagram tribute on Thursday, sharing a nostalgic black-and-white photo of his brother. He revealed he visited Wayne in the hospital shortly before his passing.

“Wayne brought endless light, joy, and love to everyone around him, especially to me. He was the epitome of optimism and was cherished by all,” Donny wrote. “I believe I speak for all my siblings when I say how lucky we were to have Wayne as our brother.”

He concluded, “Though we may be apart in this life, I trust that through the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will be united with Wayne for all eternity.”

Wayne Osmond rises to fame with The Osmonds

The Osmonds kicked off their journey as a barbershop quartet in 1958 in Ogden, Utah, where Wayne grew up. The original group included Wayne along with brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay. Later, their younger siblings Donny and Jimmy joined the ensemble, while sister Marie began a solo country career in the early 1970s.

The group was discovered while performing at Disneyland by Jay Williams, father of renowned singer and talk-show host Andy Williams, who invited The Osmonds to perform on his variety show in 1962. Wayne and his family became fixtures on “The Andy Williams Show,” appearing in over 20 episodes from 1962 to 1966, as noted by IMDb.

As they evolved, The Osmonds transitioned to a full-on pop career, releasing numerous hit singles and albums in the 1970s, including their major success, “One Bad Apple,” in 1971.

As the band matured, The Osmonds’ music style shifted towards rock ‘n’ roll, particularly starting with their 1972 album “Phase III,” where Wayne took on the role of lead guitarist.

The group’s rise in popularity took a dip in the mid-’70s, but they’ll always be remembered for their contributions to music.

The popularity of Donny and Marie’s variety show “Donny & Marie,” which aired on ABC between 1976 and 1979, contributed to the fame of Osmond, who was featured in four episodes according to IMDb.

Osmond was a strong believer in Christianity, sharing his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, alongside his family.

Merrill Osmond paid tribute on Facebook, stating, “My brother Wayne faced numerous challenges. He gave everything he had. His legacy will be remembered as that of someone who was not just a musical genius, but also someone who touched the hearts of millions and drew them closer to God.”