Donny Osmond Offers Sage Advice
McClatchy Newspapers
by Steve Knopper
August 26, 2011
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Forty years ago, Donny Osmond hit No. 1 for the first time with his song "Go Away, Little Girl."
He was absurdly clean-cut and handsome, and he would spend the next several years as one of the most popular teen heartthrobs in pop-music history.
The whole thing crashed by the end of the '70s, and Donny spent more than a decade trying to come back.
Eventually, he succeeded, with the 1989 smash "Soldier of Love," a starring role in a Toronto version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and a stream of squeaky- |
clean albums, Broadway shows, Vegas runs, a "Dancing With the Stars" victory and a radio show.
Osmond recently discussed the bizarre ups and downs of his career at his Utah home.
Q Your new tour is unscripted and you take constant requests from the audience. Is that spontaneity scary?
A You better believe it! But that's why I'm doing it. It's the excitement of not knowing where the show's going to go.
Q You and Marie put out an album in May and are doing the Flamingo in Vegas, as well as a cruise. How's the sibling rivalry compared to when you were younger?
A Back in the '70s, Marie was just basically in tow: "Let's just do whatever they say." Well, Marie is her own person now. She has her say about things.
Q You gave this advice to Justin Bieber: "Put on the seat belt, buddy, because it's going to be a bumpy ride and there's going to be times when people say you're not talented anymore. Never give up on yourself." When will his ride start getting bumpy?
A It's happening now. It's inevitable. What you've got to do is hang in there and keep putting out great material. |