Tito Jackson, a Founding Member of the Jackson 5, Dies at 70
Tito Jackson, the third oldest of the nine Jackson siblings and a founding member of the iconic pop group the Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70. According to a statement from his sons, TJ, Taj, and Taryll, Tito’s family is “shocked, saddened, and heartbroken” by his sudden death.
Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was a background singer and guitarist for the Jackson 5, which rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.” The group’s music career was guided by their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player who supported his family in Gary, Indiana, before relocating to California.
Tito was the least-heard member of the group, allowing his brothers to take the spotlight. However, his sons, TJ, Taj, and Taryll, formed their own music group, 3T, and have released music under the guidance of their father.
In a rare interview with The Associated Press in 2009, Tito spoke about his younger brother Michael’s passing, saying it brought their family closer together. He also expressed his personal pain, stating that he would never be at peace with his brother’s death. “There’s still moments when I just can’t believe it. So I think that’s never going to go away,” he said.
Tito Jackson continued to perform with his brothers, including Jackie, Marlon, and Jermaine, and felt his brother’s absence deeply, even years after his death. In 2014, he said they would never get used to performing without Michael, but that his spirit remained with them, giving them positive energy and smiles.
Tito’s own music career began with his 2016 debut album, “Tito Time,” and he released a single featuring his sons and Stevie Wonder titled “Love One Another.” He had declared plans to release a sophomore album in 2019, but unfortunately, that never came to fruition.
Tito Jackson is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie, and La Toya, and their mother, Katherine. Their father, Joe Jackson, passed away in 2018.
