Tito Jackson, a founding member of the iconic group “The Jackson 5” has passed away at the age of 70. He was the older brother of the late pop legend Michael Jackson.
Rising to stardom in the 1970s alongside siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, Tito helped propel the group to international fame with hits like ABC, I Want You Back, Blame It On The Boogie, and I’ll Be There. The Jackson 5, managed by their father Joe Jackson, is often recognized as one of the original boy bands, with the group achieving four consecutive number-one hits in the U.S. and selling an estimated 150 million records globally. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Tito, known for his reserved nature, played guitar and contributed backing vocals to the group’s success. He was the third of nine Jackson children, which also include singers Janet, LaToya, and Rebbie. Despite his quieter public persona, Tito made a name for himself, eventually embarking on a solo career and releasing his album Tito Time in 2016. He continued to perform, touring with brothers Jackie and Marlon as recently as this month at a festival in the UK.
The Jackson family, once again struck by tragedy, expressed their grief through Tito’s sons Taj, Taryll, and TJ Jackson—members of the 1990s group 3T. In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, they wrote: “We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken… Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their wellbeing. He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached, and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
Tito’s musical career extended beyond The Jackson 5, as he also played in a blues band and appeared as a judge on the BBC show Just The Two Of Us in 2006.
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