SINGAPORE : How does one encapsulate 50 years of music in one night? Have all seven Osmonds on stage playing to screaming fans re-living their teen years.

After waiting 28 long years for the Osmonds to find their way back to Singapore, fans of the wholesome singing family were given a real treat at a one night only concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Osmonds 50th Anniversary World Tour was marked by well-loved songs that marked mile-stones in their career and an energetic performance despite their age range of between 48 and 58.

The seven siblings, comprising of brothers, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny and Jimmy, and only sister, Marie, kicked off the show with the very familiar hit of their 1972 album of the same name, ‘Crazy Horses’. This was followed by a string of other Osmond brothers hits like, ‘Down by the Lazy River’, ‘Yo-yo’ and ‘One Bad Apple’.

The crowd favourite ‘Love me for a Reason’ was saved for the encore.

But ‘it (just) takes two’ to get the already ecstatic crowd on their feet and jiving. That was when Donny and Marie launched into their signature song, ‘I’m a little bit country, I’m a little bit rock and roll’, which was sung weekly on their hit television show which aired for 3 years from 1976.

The loudest screams and applause for the night however, was reserved for Donny, the pin-up boy for every teen in the 70’s with his good looks and heartfelt songs like ‘Puppy Love’. The take on the Paul Anka hit seemed to transport 50 year old Donny to the teen heart-throb he was for his now more mature fans.

The women in the audience then became screaming girls of yesterday when Donny broke through the barricades to run into the audience, where he was literally swarmed by his many female fans, both young and old.

But there was one special member of the audience that had Donny’s attention for a moment that evening. Much to the jealousy of his other female fans. Donny sought gentlemanly permission from President S R Nathan who had graced the occasion, and slow danced while serenading the First Lady.

The night was filled with nostalgic memories and reminders of how far the family has come. Screened during the concert were video clips, including priceless footage of the four brothers, Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay, at their very first interview with Walt Disney and a montage of old photographs of the Osmond family through the 50 years.

With their iconic pearly white smiles and charismatic ways, it was obvious that the effortless and infectious chemistry between the Osmonds and rapport with the audience was a product of the numerous stage performances.

Off-stage, the Osmonds proved just as ever-obliging and genuine. They readily signed old records and magazines while giving out hugs and kisses, for the many avid fans waiting at the exit of the Indoor Stadium at the end of the concert.

It was really quite a sight to behold as it is not everyday that you see women in their 40s and 50s, many of whom are mothers, squeezing and climbing on barricades just to catch a glimpse of their idols as they left the arena.

Back to the school-girl days
Shouting, “We want Donny! We want Donny!” three women were heard before being spotted at the exit of the Indoor Stadium as they eagerly waited to catch a glimpse of their teenage idol, Donny Osmond.

Grabbing a quick moment with the trio when they were not too busy trying to grab the attention of their idols, Channelnewsasia.com found out that the self-professed die-hard fans had husbands wisely waiting somewhere away from the sea of fans.

Gail, Amy and Gretel also excitedly recounted the last time the Osmonds were in town and how they had “chased them all around Singapore”. 28 years on, they were all praise for the 50th anniversary concert which had lived up to their expectations.

“I think what is good is that they didn’t try to be the youngsters that they were…they were just themselves,” commented the three fans.

The icing on the cake - an autograph from the ever-suave Donny.

“I would die a thousand deaths now…” said a happy Gretel.

The purple brigade
It was hard not to miss the Donny fans. Many turned up at the concert in purple, which is the favourite colour of Donny who is arguably the most popular among the Osmonds.

While many chose to dress in purple, one fan Janalene Leong went ‘a little bit rock and roll’ by streaking her hair purple just for the special night.

Though Janalene thinks she’s not as big a fan as some others, the former St. Anthony’s Convent girl who attended the concert with several of her purple-decked ex-school mates revealed that she had fallen in love with the family after watching ‘The Donny and Marie show’. And for her, the concert was a good time to re-live those good old days.

The Osmond’s youngest fans
While many of the fans who turned up that night had grown up together with the Osmonds, listening to their music on cassette tapes and records, the Osmond brand of music has proven just as much a hit for today’s generation.

Spotted at the concert all by herself was 11-year-old, Audrey Lee. She confided that she’d been a fan of the Osmond’s humor and dancing since the tender age of 4, when first introduced to the music by her uncle.

Another young fan and probably also the youngest at the concert was 5 year old Kellie-Ann Dragon, accompanied by her siblings and mother Carolyn who passed on her great love for the Osmonds. Like her mother, Kellie-Ann’s favourite Osmond, is Donny whom she really wished she could one day sing to!

The precocious child who was seen dancing and singing along with the Osmonds throughout the entire concert also said: “I wish I was (born earlier), so (that) I can see him younger…because I love him!”

Singapore’s biggest Osmond fan
The title of Singapore’s biggest Osmond fan however, has to go to 39 year old Jane Goh. The financial advisor, managed to find her way past security during the concert, get up to the front of the stage and pass Donny a stuffed toy dog when he performed his famous hit, ‘Puppy Love’.

Showing off her complete collection of Osmond records and memorabilia, Jane who has previously traveled to Australia, especially for the Donny Osmond concert, says she is also considering a trip to Kuala Lumpur to catch the Osmonds concert all over again. After that, she may just make a trip to Las Vegas when Donny and Marie begin their new show in the months to come.

The fan’s message to the Osmonds
There were many things that the fans would have liked to say to the Osmonds had they been given the chance. However, one phrase kept popping up when channelnewsasia.com spoke to them. And that was, “Please come back to Singapore, soon!”

–CNA/os