Tito Jackson, one of the brothers of the popular pop group Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.
Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, including global superstars Michael and his sister Janet, and part of a musical family whose songs are still popular today.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our beloved father Rock and “Roll Hall of Fame member 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 well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted on Instagram late Sunday.
The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The family group that was accepted into rock music, and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 produced several number one hits in the 1970s, including “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.”
Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least known member of the group as a background singer with guitar. His brothers started solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the biggest artists in the world as the “King of Pop”.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.
In an interview with the Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said the death of his younger brother had brought the family closer together.
“I would definitely say it has brought us one step closer to each other. Realizing how much we love each other when one of us is no longer here is a huge loss,” he said, adding that he personally will “never make peace with it.”
“There are still moments when I just can’t believe it. I don’t think it will ever go away,” he said.
In 2014, Jackson said that he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson’s absence at their shows, which they continued with their international tours.
“I don’t think we’ll ever get used to performing without him. We miss him a lot,” he said, noting that his spirit “is with us when we perform. He gives us a lot of positive energy and often puts a smile on our faces.”
A few days before his death, Jackson posted on his Facebook page a message from Munich on September 11, where he and his brothers visited a memorial for Michael Jackson.
“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon and I visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother Michael Jackson. We are 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 debut, “Tito Time,” in 2016. He released the song “One Way Street” in 2017 and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a second album.
Jackson said he deliberately held back from 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 provides a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder called “Love One Another.”
