Tito Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5 and brother to the late Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 70, according to US media reports. The exact cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Tito performed alongside his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael in the iconic group, which rose to fame in the 1960s.
He was recently in Munich for an upcoming performance. Steve Manning, a longtime family friend and former manager, confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that Jackson died on Monday.
Jackson’s three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, who formed the 90s R&B/pop group 3T, shared their grief in an emotional post on Instagram.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote, adding, “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”
They continued, “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.”
The Jackson 5, whose hits include ABC, The Love You Save, and I Want You Back, was formed in 1964, with Tito playing guitar and providing backing vocals.
The group has sold over 150 million records globally. In 1980, they earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Just days before his passing, Tito shared a social media post from Munich, Germany, where he and his brothers visited a memorial to Michael Jackson.
He expressed gratitude for the memorial and for those who keep Michael’s spirit alive, saying, “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honours not only his memory but also our shared legacy.”
The Jacksons performed in Germany on September 10, following their appearance at Boogietown, a UK festival celebrating funk, soul, and disco. They also performed at the Fool in Love Festival in Los Angeles on August 31.
Former Jackson 5 drummer Jonathan Moffett paid tribute on social media, writing, “There is great sadness in my heart tonight – I just found out that my brother in heart and spirit, Tito Jackson has passed. I’m stunned, devastated, and speechless. I love you, Tito. My most sincere love & prayers for the entire Jackson family.”
Tito was the third oldest of the nine Jackson children. His surviving siblings include global stars Janet and La Toya, while his brother Michael passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. The family patriarch, Joe Jackson, died in 2018 at the age of 89.
In addition to his work with the Jackson 5, Tito pursued a solo career as a blues musician beginning in 2003. His solo track Get It Baby became a Billboard hit in 2016, making him the last of his siblings to place a solo single on the charts.
The Jackson brothers embarked on a world tour in 2019 and had previously performed in the UK to celebrate 50 years of music, including a notable appearance at the Glastonbury Festival.
Source-BBC
