American guitarist Tito Jackson, a member of the legendary Jackson 5 and older brother of superstars Michael and Janet, has died at the age of 70, his sons said Sunday evening.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father Tito Jackson, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, has passed away,” his sons Taj, Taryll and TJ, who form the music group 3T, wrote on Instagram.
“We are shocked, sad and heartbroken. Our man was an incredible man who cared for everyone,” they added. “Please remember to do what our father preached and that is, ‘Love one another.’ We love you Dad. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and TJ.”
Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito Jackson appeared to have died of a heart attack Sunday while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.
He had recently performed in Germany, the UK and California with his brothers Marlon and Jackie, calling themselves “The Jacksons”.
Tito Jackson was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5, along with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
After signing with Motown Records in 1969, the Jackson 5 had achieved worldwide success with hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
The youngest brother, Michael, who became a solo superstar, died in 2009 at the age of 50.
Tito, like his brothers in the Jackson 5, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 by another Motown legend, Diana Ross.
According to his website, the deceased had been touring since 2003 with his own blues and funk band.
In 2016, Tito was the last of the Jackson fraternity to enter the Billboard charts with a solo song, with the single “Get It Baby,” which was followed by his debut solo album, “Tito Time.”
His second album – the first of blues -, titled “Under Your Spell”, was released in 2021, with guests such as George Benson, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder.
Tito Jackson’s ex-wife, Dolores, mother of his three sons, died in 1994.
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