Tito Jackson, a renowned member of the legendary Jackson 5 and brother to pop icon Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70. The cause of death is suspected to be a heart attack, which occurred while Jackson was driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, according to Steve Manning, the former manager of the Jackson family. However, an official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Jackson’s sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, confirmed their father’s passing in a heartfelt Instagram post. They expressed their shock and grief over the sudden loss of their father, describing him as an incredible man who cared deeply for everyone’s well-being. They also paid tribute to his legacy as a member of the Jackson 5, and his various roles as ‘Coach Tito’ and ‘Poppa T.’
Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito was the third of 10 children born to Katherine and Joe Jackson. His siblings included global superstars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. Recognizing Tito’s talent as a singer and guitarist, his father formed the Jackson Brothers in 1964, which included Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. As their music careers took off, the family relocated to California.
The Jackson Brothers evolved into the Jackson 5 in 1966, with the addition of Michael and Marlon. Tito played a crucial role as a background singer and guitarist for the family band. The group gained mainstream popularity in 1969 after signing a seven-year contract with Motown Records, quickly becoming the label’s top act. In 1975, the band moved to Epic Records and changed its name to The Jacksons.
Michael Jackson left the band in 1984 following the monumental success of his album “Thriller.” The Jackson 5, known for chart-topping hits like “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” and “I Want You Back,” were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Tito Jackson pursued a solo career, releasing two studio albums, “Tito Time” in 2016 and “Under Your Spell” in 2021.
In recent years, Tito had been performing with his brothers Jackie and Marlon as The Jacksons. They had shows in Scotland, California, and England during the summer of 2024. Just days before his death, Tito visited a memorial to Michael Jackson in Munich, Germany, expressing gratitude for the tribute to their shared legacy.