Tito Jackson, the guitarist and singer who played with his brothers in the Jackson 5, has died. The New York Times reported. Jackson’s three sons, who formed the R&B pop band 3T in the 1990s, shared the news on the group’s social media. Jackson was 70 years old.
Tito Jackson and his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael formed the Jackson 5 in the mid-1960s and signed with Motown later that decade, where they quickly became one of the biggest pop groups in the United States. They debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 with four consecutive No. 1 singles – “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There” – although Tito, whose main talent was guitar playing, was barred by Motown from playing on recordings and thus contributed to the group primarily on stage. The band gained autonomy as songwriters, performers and producers when they signed with Epic in 1976, three years before Michael Jackson’s solo breakthrough with From the wall led to the dissolution of the band.
1984, two years after thriller became the best-selling album of all time, Michael rejoined the band and released victory than the Jacksons. On the tour that followed, Michael announced that it would probably be the band’s last. The remaining siblings Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Randy officially split up in 1989; all six members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Diana Ross in 1997. Tito continued to perform, both with his own blues band and as frontman of the BB King Blues Band. He released his first solo album, Tito erain 2016, and a second, Under your spellthree years later. Just last week he was on tour with some of his brothers as The Jacksons.
Tito Jackson’s sons, 3T, wrote on Instagram: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our dad was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson 5, others may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or still others as ‘Poppa T.’ However, he will be missed terribly. For us, it will always be ‘Tito Time.’ Please remember to do what our dad always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you, Pops.”
