Introduction:
When Donny Osmond looks back on his family’s meteoric rise to fame, one song stands out as the spark that ignited it all — “One Bad Apple.” Released in November 1970, the catchy, soulful track didn’t just top charts; it transformed a family from Utah into one of the most beloved pop sensations of the 1970s.
“It changed everything,” Donny recalls, his voice still carrying the warmth of nostalgia. “We were this family act trying to make it big. Then suddenly, ‘One Bad Apple’ came along — and the whole world knew who The Osmonds were.”
Written by George Jackson and produced by Rick Hall at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, “One Bad Apple” had initially been intended for The Jackson 5. But fate — and timing — had other plans. When The Osmonds recorded the song, their clean-cut charm and energetic harmonies gave it a fresh spin that captured both pop and R&B audiences.
By early 1971, “One Bad Apple” had soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for five consecutive weeks. The song became an anthem for a new era of teen idols, paving the way for a wave of “boy bands” that would follow in the decades ahead.
“It really was the birth of that concept,” Donny explains. “We were young, we danced, we sang in harmony, and we had millions of screaming fans. Looking back, it was the early blueprint for groups like New Kids on the Block, NSYNC, and the Jonas Brothers.”
The success of “One Bad Apple” led to television specials, international tours, and the eventual launch of The Donny & Marie Show, cementing the Osmonds as pop-culture icons. But behind the glitter and fame was a family bonded by faith and discipline. “Our parents raised us to stay grounded,” Donny says. “No matter how crazy life got, we always came home to being just ‘the Osmonds.’”
Today, over five decades later, “One Bad Apple” remains a joyous reminder of innocence, family unity, and the golden age of pop. Donny often includes it in his live shows — not just as a nostalgic hit, but as a symbol of the song that started everything.
“When I hear those opening notes,” he smiles, “I’m right back there — a kid with his brothers, singing his heart out, never dreaming how far it would take us.”