Tito Jackson, original member of the Jackson 5 and older brother of Michael Jackson, has died. He was 70.
His “heartbroken” sons confirmed the news in a social media post early Monday.
Tito Jackson (born Toriano Adaryll Jackson) died of a suspected heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday, his family confirmed.
Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito likely suffered a heart attack while driving.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” his three sons — Taj, Taryll and TJ — wrote in an Instagram post.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
Tito was the third of 10 children born to the late Joseph Jackson and his wife Katherine Jackson.
When Tito was 10, his father disciplined him for breaking a string on his prized guitar. Afterward, Joe demanded that Tito play the guitar for him.
Impressed by his son’s skills, Joe bought him a guitar, and convinced Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine to form a singing group. Months later, little brothers Michael and Marlon joined the group. Joe named the band The Jackson 5.
The Jackson 5 signed a record deal with Motown Records in 1968 in Detroit. In 1969, Michael, Jermaine and Jackie traveled to Los Angeles to record the Jackson 5’s debut album. Studio singers provided the background vocals instead of Tito and Marlon, who remained at home in Gary, Indiana.
The group made history when their first 3 hits, “I Want You Back”, “ABC” and “The Love You Save”, peaked at No. 1 consecutively.
Tito was a talented guitar player, but Motown refused to allow him to play his guitar on the Jackson 5’s studio recordings. Session musicians were used in the studio instead of Tito and Jermaine, who played the bass guitar.
Tito released his first solo record in 2016. His single “Get it Baby”, featuring Big Daddy Kane from his album Tito Time, made him the ninth and final Jackson sibling to place a song on the charts.
Tito married his high school sweetheart Delores “Dee Dee” Martes in June 1972 at the age of 18. He was the first Jackson brother to get married. He kept his marriage a secret from his fans until their first son, Taj (right), was born in 1973.
Tito and Dee Dee Jackson were divorced in 1988. She tragically drowned in a swimming pool in 1994. Her death was initially ruled an accident. But in 1998, Los Angeles businessman, Donald Bohana, was convicted of 2nd-degree murder.
Brothers Marlon (left), Tito and Jackie continued to perform around the world as The Jacksons. They were scheduled to perform with Billy Ocean and the Pointer Sisters in Atlantic City, NJ on Oct. 25.
Tito is survived by his 3 sons (Taryll, Taj and TJ), nine grandchildren, his brothers, Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie and Randy, sisters Janet, La Toya and Rebbie, and their mother, Katherine.
