Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5 with his brothers Michael, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon, has died at the age of 70.
Tito Jackson, who sang and danced with his brothers Michael, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon as a founding member of the family group the Jackson 5, died Sunday. He was 70.
Steve Manning, a longtime family friend, told Entertainment Tonight that Tito Jackson had died while on a car trip, but the cause of death has not yet been determined. Tito's nephew, Siggy Jackson, also confirmed the news to People.
Tito's three sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ, released a statement on social media, calling their father ” amazing man who cared about everyone and their well beingThey continue: Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson 5, others as “Coach Tito” or still others as “Poppa T”. Regardless, he will be greatly missed. For us, it will always be “Tito Time”. Remember to do what our father always preached: “Love one another”. We love you, Pops “.
Tito has been performing this summer with his brothers Jackie Jackson and Marlon as The Jacksons and recently performed on September 8 in Surrey, England. Over the past two decades, he has also recorded as a blues guitarist under his own name and with the BB King Blues Band.
As a founding member of the iconic Jackson 5, he enjoyed hits such as “ I Want You Back “, ” ABC ” And ” I'll Be There ” in the late sixties and early seventies. The group, which was later joined by Randy Jackson, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Earlier this week, while Tito was in Munich, Germany, with the Jacksons, the group visited the ” Magnificent » memorial dedicated to « our beloved brother “Michael,” Tito wrote in a Facebook post. We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but our shared heritage. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive. »
Tito was born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana. He is the third of ten children born to Joe and Katherine Jackson. His musical career began surreptitiously, while he was playing guitar behind his father's back. He was eventually caught after breaking a string and incurring his father's ire.
” He took care of my butt, then he sat me down and put the guitar on my lap and said, “Show me what you can.”Tito recalled in a 2019 interview. So there I was, playing guitar and crying. I was seven or eight years old. He looked at me and said, “Damn, you play just as good as me.” So he gave me the guitar right away and bought himself another one. A better one, of course… He said, “I want you to learn every song that’s on the radio.” So that’s what I started doing. »
Joe then formed three of his children – Tito, Jackie and Jermaine – into a vocal group, before adding Marlon and Michael to form the Jackson 5. The group released their first single, ” Big Boy ” in 1968, but it was not successful. In an interview with Rolling Stone In 1971, when he was only 17, Tito recalled the band's beginnings: ” It was hard. Money was tight. It was a chore. »
It wouldn't last long. In 1969, the Jackson 5 signed with Motown and released their first of four consecutive number one hits: “ I Want You Back » (followed by « ABC “, ” The Love You Save ” And ” I'll Be There “). Although the Jackson 5 arguably never reached the same heights again, their time at Motown was an undeniable success, with eight singles reaching the Top 10. Although he sang with his brothers on these records, Tito never really got to play guitar for the Jacksons in the studio, as Motown preferred to use session musicians.
That changed in 1976 when the Jackson 5 left Motown for Epic Records, gaining more control and creative freedom, and changing their name to the Jacksons. The Jacksons remained active throughout the 1970s and 1980s, recording hits such as “ Enjoy Yourself “, ” Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) ” And ” State of Shock » with Mick Jagger. During this period, the group changed frequently, especially when Michael launched a very successful solo career. Tito and Jackie remained the most consistent members of the group.
After the release of the Jacksons' latest album, 2300 Jackson Street, In 1989, Tito turned to session work while his three sons embraced the family tradition and formed their own band, 3T. In 2016, Tito released a debut solo album, Tito Timewhich he followed in 2021 with Under Your Spell.
Jodi Guglielmi, Jon Blistein
Translated by the editorial staff
