Jackson 5 star Tito Jackson passes away aged 70

Tito Jackson, a founding member of The Jackson 5 and brother of Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70.

He rose to fame alongside his siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, who later achieved solo superstardom before his death in 2009. The Jackson 5 gained prominence in the 1970s with hits like “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “Blame It On The Boogie,” and “I’ll Be There.”

As the third of nine Jackson children, Tito contributed guitar and backing vocals to the group. He was the last sibling to launch a solo career, releasing his album Tito Time in 2016.

Tito continued touring with his brothers Jackie and Marlon, with their last UK performance earlier this month. His passing was announced by his sons Taj, Taryll, and TJ Jackson, who gained fame in the 1990s as members of the group 3T.

In an emotional Instagram post, they shared their grief: “We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared deeply for everyone. He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us.”

They added a heartfelt message: “Please remember to follow our father’s advice and ‘Love One Another.’ We love you, Pops.”

Known as the quieter member of the group, Tito also played in a blues band and appeared as a judge on the BBC’s Just The Two Of Us in 2006.

The Jackson family consists of nine siblings, including sisters Janet, LaToya, and Rebbie, as well as brother Randy. The Jackson 5 was formed in Indiana in 1964 under the management of their father, Joe Jackson. They became a musical phenomenon, regarded as one of the original boy bands, with four consecutive No. 1 hits in the U.S. and over 150 million records sold globally. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Their success paved the way for Michael’s solo career, which saw him leave the group in 1984 after his monumental Thriller album.

Tito recently performed with The Jacksons in the UK at the Boogietown Festival on September 8, and their last show was in Munich, Germany. He shared a message on Facebook from the city, noting how he and his brothers visited a memorial for Michael: “We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy.”

Tito is survived by his three sisters, four brothers, and his mother, Katherine.

Music by Yevhen Onoychenko from Pixabay