You’re only as good as your last gig or so the saying goes. Well, if that’s true then the Osmond’s former lead singer has left the UK with a belter…
REVIEW by Ian Woolley
Sometimes you have to pinch yourself that it was over fifty years ago that America’s favourite singing family made their mark on British pop culture.
Neil Frost (front) with Merrill (far right) (photo credit Quiz Britain)
One of the newest UK venues to introduce live music through it’s doors post-pandemic is surprisingly in the heart of the New Forest. Ringwood’s Parsonage Barn (to give them their official title) welcomed almost five hundred Osmond fans on a cold January evening to herald the launch as a live music venue.
So who better to perform than the former lead singer of one of pop’s most-loved boy bands ever – the Osmonds?
Witnessing the meet-and-greet earlier in the evening, it was clear to his adoring female fans that their fan worship hasn’t diminished over the years. Even before Merrill walked on, a few of his fans told the audience about their undying love for the 69-year-old.
His chosen band for tonight’s charity gig was Dave Wallace, Neil Frost, and Pat Windebank as they opened with the instrumental “Fanfare For The Common Man“. Fittingly as the common man entered the side stage, a female frenzy of around fifty fans rushed to the front, cameras aloft. Launching into “Crazy Horses“, the silver foxed one had his audience under his spell from the off. Joining them on backing vocals was Southampton’s Finlay Gingell.
Finlay Gingell (front) with Merrill and band. (photo credit Quiz Britain)
The uptempo vibe continued with “Sharp Dressed Man“, “Yo-Yo” and “We’re Having A Party” before slowing it down with his first ballad “I’m Still Gonna Need You“. Shaking hands with each and everyone who reached out to touch their idol, it was clear that there was a lot of Osmond love in the house.
“Proud One“, “One Bad Apple“, “You’re Wanted” and “Through The Years” came next with the latter a personal thank you to all his UK fans who never stopped their loyal support.
His tribute to Elvis with “I Can’t Help Falling In Love” gave way to “Sweet Caroline“, with Merrill going into the audience to join the swaying singing crowd for an impromptu karaoke set.
The scene was set for a stomping second set as he announced “I’ll be back in 10”.
Opening with “Down By The Lazy River” which happened to be their first British chart success (although it only scraped in at no.40 in 1972). Announcing he was going back to the States the next day, “Going Back To Utah” was a fitting follow on. “Here To Remember“,”Gotta Have Hope“, “I Can’t Live A Dream” let into two of his band’s biggest UK sellers, “Let Me In” and “Love Me For A Reason” once more had the whole room singing along.
A short water break with the contents being thrown to the baying crowd was the perfect interlude as he launched (water gun in hand) into “Born To Be Wild” and his encore “Goin’ Home“.
Mentioning his closest sibling by name and telling the audience that the night was being zoomed to his family over in the US, his suggestion that Marie has a lot more to give. Was it a hint that his sister may tour next?
Thanking the audience for all their loyal support down the decades, a few tears he shed as he also thanked his manager Tracy for her help during the last twenty-one years of touring Britain.
Calling her to the stage, he handed her his treasured bass guitar as a thank you. Yes, Merrill Osmond is a very grateful person.
As gigs go, Merrill Osmond focuses on it being a fun night with music thrown in.
I lost count of the number of handshakes he did with his fans but one thing is for sure – he loves them and they love him. As he left the stage he thanked them once again for coming to see him.
They all left happy and content knowing that somewhere over in Utah, their childhood idol still cherishes their fifty years of British love and affection.