American guitarist and singer Tito Jackson, the elder brother of music icons Michael and Janet, and a founding member of the renowned Jackson 5 group, passed away at the age of 70, according to a statement made by his sons late on Sunday.
The three sons of Tito Jackson, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, who make up the band 3T, said on Instagram, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” accompanied with a picture of themselves with Pappy.
We are deeply hurt, startled, and devastated. “Our father was a wonderful man who genuinely cared about everyone and their welfare,” they remarked. “Remember to practise “Love One Another,” as our father always taught. We cherish you, Pops. Taryll, TJ, Taj, and your boys.”
According to family friend Steve Manning, Tito passed away on Sunday while travelling from New Mexico to his Oklahoman home, presumably from a heart attack. This was reported by Entertainment Tonight. Recently, Tito had been touring as The Jacksons with his brothers Marlon and Jackie, performing in Germany, England, and California.
Tito, together with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, formed The Jackson 5 family group in the beginning. They had a run of international singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There,” after signing with Motown Records in 1969. Michael, the younger brother, became a solo sensation before passing away in 2009 at the age of 50.
Diana Ross, a fellow Motown icon, welcomed Tito and his siblings from The Jackson 5 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. As per his official website, Tito has been touring and playing with his own large blues and funk band since 2003.
With the single “Get It Baby,” which he followed up with his debut solo album “Tito Time,” he became the last of the Jackson siblings to score a solo Billboard hit in 2016. In 2021, he published “Under Your Spell,” his second album and debut blues record.
George Benson, Bobby Rush, and Stevie Wonder were among the special guests on the album. Three of Tito’s sons remain in his life. Their mother Dolores, his ex-wife, passed away in 1994.
