Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 Member And Brother Of Michael, Dead At 70

OAN Staff James Meyers
9:00 AM – Monday, September 16, 2024

Tito Jackson, a member of the iconic family band The Jackson 5 and the brother of the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 70.

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Tito died of an apparent heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday, former Jackson family manager Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight. 

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.” 

“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,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted on Instagram and Facebook late Sunday.

Tito, born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15^th, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, was the third of Katherine and Joe Jackson’s ten children, including sister Janet Jackson and Michael.

The group formed after their talent manager father, Joe Jackson, noticed that his son Tito had skills as a singer and guitarist at such a young age. Joe created the group the Jackson Brothers in 1964, which initially consisted of Tito, Jermaine and Jackie.

As their careers began to take off, they later relocated to California.

The group expanded into the Jackson 5 in 1966, adding Michael and Marlon to the mix, with Tito filling the role of a background singer and guitarist for the family group. 

The Jackson 5 exploded into the hit music scene in 1969 when they signed a seven-year deal with Motown Records and quickly became the famous label’s number one act. 

“The group, active from 1964 to 1990, regularly played from a repertoire of R&B, soul, funk, and later disco,” according to The Vogue outlet.

However, in 1975, the band left the label, signed with Epic Records, and was told to change its name to The Jacksons. 

Tito had been performing with brothers Jackie and Marlon as The Jacksons and had shows throughout Scotland, England, and California over the summer of this year. 

Days before his death, Tito posted on Facebook from Munich, Germany, on September 11^th, explaining that he visited a memorial for his brother Michael with his other brothers while on tour in Europe.

“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson,” Tito wrote.

“We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

Furthermore, the brothers were scheduled to appear in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on October 25^th and then later in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 1^st.