Alan Osmond, the eldest original member of the Osmonds who led his brothers from church performances to international pop stardom, died Monday at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 76. His brother Merrill announced the death on Facebook, saying complications from multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 1987, caused his passing.

The Osmonds began as a quartet in 1957 with Alan, Merrill, Wayne, and Jay performing at churches and fairs before landing a barbershop quartet gig at Disneyland. Their breakthrough came in 1962 when, at age 12, Alan helped secure an audition for "The Andy Williams Show" after Andy Williams' father spotted the group on a Disney TV program. The performance led to a five-year regular spot on the NBC variety show, where they learned to tap dance, juggle and ice skate while opening for comedians including Phyllis Diller and Jimmy Durante.

The group reached its peak from 1971 to 1975, scoring a Billboard No. 1 with "One Bad Apple" and Top 10 hits including "Yo-Yo" and "Down by the Lazy River," which Alan co-wrote with Merrill. After his diagnosis, Alan continued performing with his brothers for about a decade and later produced albums, directed music videos, and co-authored children's books with his wife Suzanne. He is survived by his wife, eight sons, siblings Donny and Marie, 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.