Jackson 5 | Tito Jackson dies at age 70

Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the pop group Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.

Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, which included superstars Michael and his sister Janet, a famous family of musicians who performed many songs that are still beloved today.

His sons TJ, Taj and Taryll made the announcement on Instagram Sunday, saying their father was “an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

The Jackson 5 consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The family group, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several hits in the 1970s, including ABC, I Want You Back And I'll Be There.

The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the leadership of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitarist who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. When the family's music career took off, they moved to California.

Born October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least heard member of the group as a backing vocalist and guitarist. His brothers launched solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the biggest artists in the world and was nicknamed “The King of Pop.”

Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.

Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Tito Jackson said his younger brother's death had brought the family closer together.

“I would say it definitely brought us closer together. To recognize the love we have for each other when one of us is not there, what a great loss,” he said, adding that he personally would “never be at peace with that.”

In 2014, Jackson said that he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson's absence in their shows, which continued with international tours.

“I don't think we'll ever get used to performing without him. We miss him so much,” he said, noting that Michael's spirit “is with us when we perform.”

Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Germany on September 11, where he had visited a memorial for Michael Jackson with his brothers.

“Prior to our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon and I visited the beautiful memorial to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory, but our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” he wrote.

Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to present a solo project with his debut album, Tito Timereleased in 2016. He released a song in 2017, One Way Streetand told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a second album.

Jackson said he intentionally held off on pursuing a solo career because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons, TJ, Taj and Taryll, who formed their own band, 3T.

Tito Jackson also leaves behind his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and La Toya and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018.