Current:Home > MarketsTito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5, has died at 70, his sons say-LoTradeCoin
Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5, has died at 70, his sons say
View Date:2024-12-24 00:13:38
Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70.
Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, which include global superstars Michael and sister Janet, part of a music-making family whose songs are still beloved today.
“It’s 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 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, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.”
The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the guidance of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. As the family’s music careers took off, they relocated to California.
Born on Oct. 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least-heard member of the group as a background singer who played guitar. His brothers launched solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world’s biggest performers known as The King of Pop.
Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009.
Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said his younger brother’s death pulled the family closer together.
“I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other. To recognize that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss,” he said, adding he would personally never “be at peace with it.”
“There’s still moments when I just can’t believe it. So I think that’s never going to go away,” he said.
In 2014, Jackson said he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson’s absence in their shows that continued with international tours.
“I don’t think we will ever get used to performing without him. He’s dearly missed,” he said, noting that his spirit “is with us when we are performing. It gives us a lot of positive energy and puts a lot of smiles on our faces.”
Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Munich, Germany, on Sept. 11, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers.
“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We’re 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 2016 debut, “Tito Time.” He released a song in 2017, “One Way Street,” and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a sophomore album.
Jackson said he purposely held back from pursuing 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 offers a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder titled, “Love One Another.”
Tito Jackson also is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and Latoya and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018.
Jackson’s death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.
veryGood! (11)
Related
- A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
- Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source. Will it work?
- French investigation into fatal attack near Eiffel Tower looks into mental illness of suspect
- Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announces run for Virginia governor in 2025
- Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway
- LAPD: Suspect in 'serial' killings of homeless men in custody for a fourth killing
- Takeaways from The AP’s investigation into the Mormon church’s handling of sex abuse cases
- KISS delivers explosive final concert in New York, debuts digital avatars in 'new era'
- North Carolina offers schools $1 million to help take students on field trips
- Atmospheric rivers forecast for Pacific Northwest, with flood watches in place
Ranking
- Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting their first child together
- Meg Ryan pokes fun at Billy Crystal, Missy Elliott praises Queen Latifah at Kennedy Center Honors
- Spanish judge opens an investigation into intelligence agents who allegedly passed secrets to the US
- Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and others celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors
- ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ review: Darren Criss shines in one of the best musicals in years
- Analysis: Emirati oil CEO leading UN COP28 climate summit lashes out as talks enter toughest stage
- Deebo Samuel backs up trash talk with dominant outing in 49ers' romp against Eagles
- Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source. Will it work?
Recommendation
-
A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
-
32 things we learned from NFL Week 13: Why miss out on the playoff controversy fun?
-
Opening statements begin in Jonathan Majors assault trial in New York
-
KISS delivers explosive final concert in New York, debuts digital avatars in 'new era'
-
Lady Gaga Joins Wednesday Season 2 With Jenna Ortega, So Prepare to Have a Monster Ball
-
AP PHOTOS: 2023 was marked by coups and a Moroccan earthquake on the African continent
-
Magnitude 5.1 earthquake shakes northwest Turkey. No damage or injuries reported
-
Full transcript of Face the Nation, Dec. 3, 2023