Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5, dies at 70
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Tito Jackson was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5.
PHOTO: POPPA3T/INSTAGRAM
LOS ANGELES – American guitarist and singer Tito Jackson, an original member of the legendary Jackson 5 group and elder brother of pop superstars Michael and Janet, has died at the age of 70, his sons said late on Sept 15.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us,” his sons Taj, Taryll and T.J., who form the music group 3T, posted on Instagram alongside a photo of themselves with their father.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” they said.
“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘love one another’. We love you Pops. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and T.J.”
Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito died of an apparent heart attack on Sept 15 while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.
Tito had been performing in Germany, England and California in the United States with his brothers Marlon and Jackie as The Jacksons.
He was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5, along with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
After signing with Motown Records in 1969, The Jackson 5 had a string of international hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including I Want You Back (1969), ABC (1970) and I’ll Be There (1970).
Younger brother Michael, who went on to solo superstardom, died in 2009 at the age of 50.
The Jacksons comprise (from left) Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon.
Tito, along with his brothers in The Jackson 5, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 by fellow Motown legend Diana Ross.
According to his website, Tito had been performing and touring with his own big blues and funk band since 2003.
In 2016, he became the last of the Jackson siblings to have a solo Billboard hit, charting with the single Get It Baby, followed by his debut solo album Tito Time.
His second album – and first blues record – Under Your Spell was released in 2021, and featured special guests including musicians George Benson, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder.
Tito is survived by his three sons. His former wife, their mother Dolores, died in 1994. AFP
