Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who formed the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70.
Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, including global superstars and sister , part of a musical family whose songs remain popular today.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson. We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared deeply for everyone and their well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll said in a statement late Sunday.
The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. The family group, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.”
The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the guidance of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. As the family’s music careers flourished, they moved to California.
Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least-heard member of the group, a background singer who played guitar. His brothers embarked on solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world’s biggest performers known as The King of Pop.
Michael Jackson passed away at age 50 on June 25, 2009.
Speaking to the Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said his younger brother’s death brought the family closer together.
“I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other. To recognize that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss,” he said, adding he would personally never “be at peace with it.”
“There’s still moments when I just can’t believe it. So I think that’s never going to go away,” he said.
In 2014, Jackson said he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson’s absence in their shows that continued with international tours.
“I don’t think we will ever get used to performing without him. He’s dearly missed,” he said, noting that his spirit “is with us when we are performing. It gives us a lot of positive energy and puts a lot of smiles on our faces.”
Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Munich, Germany, on September 11, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers.
“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” he wrote.
Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, “Tito Time.” He released a song in 2017, “One Way Street,” and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a sophomore album.
Jackson said he purposely held back from pursuing a solo career, because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons: TJ, Taj, and Taryll, who formed their own music group 3T. Jackson’s website offers a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder titled, “Love One Another.”
Tito Jackson is also survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie, and La Toya, and their mother, Katherine. Their father passed away in 2018.
Jackson’s death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.