Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who formed the beloved pop group The Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.
Ditto The third of nine Jackson children, which includes global superstars Michael and sister Janet, was part of a music-making family whose songs are still loved today.
FILE – Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, front right; Marlon Jackson, front left; Tito Jackson, left again; Jackie Jackson, back center; and Jermaine Jackson, right wing; They posed for this undated photo together in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, File)
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their welfare,” his sons DJ, Taj and Darryl said in a statement. Posted on Instagram Late Sunday.
The Jackson 5 includes brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The family group, inducted into the Rock and 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 guitarist who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. As the family’s musical career took off, they relocated to California.
Born Toriano Adderill “Tito” Jackson on October 15, 1953, the group’s least-heard member was a backing vocalist who played guitar. His brothers, including Michael, who went on to become one of the biggest artists in the world, known as The King of Pop, started their own careers.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.
Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said his younger brother’s death brought the family closer.
“I would say it definitely brought us closer together. What a loss the love we have for each other when one of us isn’t here,” she said.
“There are still moments where I can’t believe it. So I think it will never go away,” he said.
In 2014, Jackson said he and his brothers felt Michael Jackson’s absence from their shows, which continued with international tours.
“I don’t think we’d get used to performing without him. He’s sorely missed,” she said, adding that his spirit “is with us when we perform. It gives us a lot of positive energy and puts a lot of smiles on our faces.
Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2012, singer Tito Jackson arrives at the opening night of “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour.” (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)
A few days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page on September 11 from Munich, Germany, where he visited Michael Jackson’s memorial 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 are so grateful for this special place to honor not only his memory but our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his soul alive,” she wrote.
Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, “Dito Time.” He released a single in 2017, “One Way Street,” and told AP In 2019 he was working on a sophomore album.
Jackson said he intentionally held back from pursuing a solo career because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons, DJ, Taj and Darryl, who formed his own music group 3T. Jackson’s website offers a link featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder, “Love One Another.”
Tito Jackson is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and La Toya and their mother Kathryn. their father Died in 2018.
Jackson’s death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.
