The Osmonds as they look now performing at their 50th anniversary show in Vegas image:32748:0::0

The Osmond brothers, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Donny were joined by Marie and younger brother Jimmy at The Orleans in Las Vegas for three concerts to celebrate 50 years in show business. Monday, August 13 was opening night. Two of the shows were sold out in 8 minutes. Due to the high request for tickets another show was added to the event for fan club members and that show sold out in minutes.

Jimmy Osmond, youngest of The Osmonds and organizer of the event said "It blew my mind when it sold out in eight minutes with 7,000 ticket requests."
A meet and greet was held before opening night and was attended by hundreds of people.

This is the first time in more than 20 years that all 7 Osmonds had performed together in a concert. Alan, 58 is the oldest brother who battles multiple sclerosis so his participation in the reunion concerts was limited.

The Osmond brothers started in 1957 by Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay. They were then hired by Andy Williams to be a regular on his show. Donny joined the group later at the age of 5.

Donny and Marie at the ages of 18 and 16 became the youngest brother and sister to host a prime-time television show.

Osmondmania swept the world back in the 70's.

The Osmonds Then image:32749:0::0

In 1971 they set the record of the most gold records sold in one year. Their record of 11 gold's has still not been surpassed. That record beat Elvis and The Beatles. They have recorded over 142 albums, and sold over 100 million copies with 51 gold and platinum albums. They were honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 2003.

There are two other older brothers, Virl and Tom, who were never in the band because both were born deaf.

The concert brought people from all over the world and they were not disappointed. I know a couple people that attended the concert and they said "it blew them away. Took them back to their teens." The audience even held Osmond scarves and banners saying, "We want The Osmonds" just like back in the 70's.

Donny Osmond said "It is very emotional. I remember that last tour. We didn't realize when we stopped that it would be 25 years. It's not as if the family has split apart. Everyone's just busy."

Jimmy Osmond also said "After all these years, we snap right back into the same old routines. It really is like riding a bicycle."

I wanted to attend this historic reunion but I could not get a ticket. So now I will wait to see the shows on PBS and also the DVD that will be released at the end of the year.