| Following the breakout success of the Jackson 5 in 1970, it was practically inevitable that a pre-existing quintet of brothers, who had already enjoyed almost a decade in the national spotlight, would follow them to teen-idol superstardom. With dynamic youngest brother Donny as a focal point (much like Michael was for the Jacksons), the Osmonds did exactly that, enjoying a run of massive popularity during 1971-1972. While their success as a unit began to wane and had flickered out by the end of 1974, the Osmonds spun off a long-lasting show-business career for Donny (as well as sister Marie), and the other members of the group even enjoyed a successful comeback as country artists. Between their teen idol years and the later 1980's Branson country crooner-era they even tried their Mormon hands at disco. By 1979 the Osmond Brothers had landed on Mercury Records and had dropped the brothers part. Their release of "Steppin' Out" was produced by Maurice Gibb and Steve Klein. The album was a hodgepodge of styles and tastes and it's lack of cohesion caused it's rapid demise. Their was a 12" single released of "I, I, I" backed with "You're Mine." Both songs were aimed at disco play and in retropsect are rather good. But numerous reasons caused it to fail, mainly the lack of promotion and by 1979 the Osmond name was anathema. 1980 saw the Osmonds move to the country field where they have remained since. In the 1990's they built their own theatre in Branson Missouri and have become cult icons of the 1970's. |
