Interviewing The Legends: merrill osmond interview

Monday, October 5, 2026

MERRILL OSMOND LEGENDARY SINGER...SONGWRITER...MUSICIAN WITH THE OSMONDS: ZOOM EXCLUSIVE WITH RAY SHASHO ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

M E R R I L L O S M O N D

SINGER ...SONGWRITER...MUSICIAN

WITH

THE LEGENDARY

O S M O N D S

ZOOM EXCLUSIVE

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

Merrill Osmond (born April 30, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer best known as the lead vocalist and bassist for the iconic 1970s pop-rock group, The Osmonds. Serving as the distinctive voice behind massive hits like One Bad Apple, Let Me In, Down By The Lazy River, and Love Me For A Reason, Merrill fronted the group during their peak "Osmondmania" era. He helped lead them to 27 Gold records and co-wrote five number-one hit records.

Beyond his performing career, Merrill has found deep success across production, television, and charity. He served as the executive producer for The Donny & Marie Show, and his expertise led to invitations from two U.S. Presidents to produce major inaugural events—the 1981 presidential inauguration for Ronald Reagan and the 1989 Inaugural Ball for George H.W. Bush. He is also deeply committed to philanthropy, serving as a patron of The Hearing Fund UK (founded by his son Justin) to raise global awareness for children living with hearing loss.

Current Status & Recent Projects

• New Music: He remains highly active creatively, recording his new solo studio album, Unbroken, alongside collaborative albums featuring his children and grandchildren.

• Books & Memorabilia: He recently released a deeply personal memoir/book titled Black Bear: My Life Story, detailing his private battles with anxiety and depression alongside the staggering highs of fame. He also regularly releases his popular official annual calendars.

• Retirement from Heavy Touring: Merrill officially retired from full-scale global touring in early 2023, performing his final official UK show on January 19, 2023. He continues to make limited, highly anticipated special appearances and intimate storytelling engagements.

PURCHASE

The New Book

By Merrill Osmond

BLACK BEAR

MY LIFE STORY

Merrill’s new book, Black Bear, is released the end of July. To order your hardback deluxe edition please go to https://merrillosmond.com/store/

There will also be an audio (narrated by Merrill) and a paperback version available later on Amazon.

"This isn't just another celebrity memoir, it’s an honest, unflinching look at the price of fame from an entertainer who's been in the spotlight since childhood. Merrill's courage in sharing these stories will resonate with anyone who's faced adversity and will add new insights for the many fans of The Osmonds."